One Law for All? : Aboriginal People and Criminal Law in Early South Australia

In the planned colony of South Australia, Aboriginal people were to be British subjects, held accountable for their actions by English law, but fully entitled to its protection. However, the reality failed to meet the high expectations of London's reformers. The dreams rapidly soured as British law struggled to protect the settlers' interests and failed to protect Aboriginal lives and birthrights. In One Law for All?, Alan Pope reveals how those complexities played out in the 'colony that was meant to do it better'. Pope allows us to gain insight into Aboriginal people's motivations and frustrations, and their efforts to cope with the invasion of their lands. He also reveals the efforts made by the judiciary and officials to try to apply the legal equality policy. This book paints a clear picture of the South Australian frontier.