As a result of their loss of hunting grounds/waterholes together with their intolerance for alcohol and being ravaged by ‘western’ diseases, violent struggles erupted on both sides with thousands of kooris being killed and in many areas, totally annihilated.

Of the more than 250 local languages spoken, less than 200 remain today with many considered endangered. Aborigines represent less than 3% of the total population with about 517 000. The largest numbers (over 30%) live in the NT whilst in the other states (with the exception of