I would like to take this opportunity to thank the management and staff of the DCDSCA and the restructured DLGHS, who provided me with collegial support and engaged in robust debate over many Indigenous policy and local government issues. I would especially like to thank Leanne Evans and Harry Appo, the two Community Development Officers, for the opportunity to work alongside them over five years. Their considerable professional knowledge and practical expertise in community development, built up over many years working with Indigenous leaders and community organisations, contributed enormously to my work and insights. Needless to say, the analysis presented here is my own and does not reflect the official position or opinions of DLGHS or any of its officers.

The opportunity to work with the Indigenous members of the WCARA Interim Council, and then the Indigenous and non-Indigenous members of the West Arnhem Land Transitional Committee, has been especially rewarding for me. I would like to thank them all for their ongoing friendship, support, openness, humour, and critical feedback on my ideas, and for the opportunity to participate in their challenging Bininj discussions.

In regard to this paper, I would like to thank the ICGP research team for their feedback during a workshop we specifically convened to discuss contributions to this edited volume. I also greatly appreciate the insightful comments from Janet Hunt, Sarah Holcombe, Stephanie Garling and Neil Westbury, as well as the very useful critique made by anonymous referees.