First Nations peoples of Australia are among the world's oldest political designers. For them, Country isn't just a place to live, it's part of the network of relationships that shape responsibilities, behaviour and decision-making - a template for living together.
First Nations social and political systems balance individual freedom with a strong sense of responsibility and connection to others. By placing relationships at the centre, these systems encourage ethical behaviour and create long-term stability and security.
Mary Graham and Morgan Brigg interrogate and unpack two political systems - cultural and colonial - that appear to be at opposite ends of a continuum. Politics is about how these two systems can move together and, in these unpredictable times, help to guide the building of a modern Australia.
Published June 30, 2026