Government policy made specifically for and about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, as distinct from other Australians, evolved from the time of white settlement in 1788. A range of social policy decisions arguably contributed to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experiencing multilevel disadvantage, including lower life expectancy and education levels, poorer physical and mental health and higher rates of infant mortality, unemployment, family violence, incarceration and homelessness than other Australians. This chapter focuses on the assumptions about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people that have underpinned past and present social policy, the impact of explicit and implicit racism in past and present policy focused on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, instances of Indigenous policy formulation flaws and delivery implementation gaps, and concepts of equity, citizenship and human rights to measures like compulsory income management. It encourages the reader to reflect on their own value base and practice in light of claims regarding white privilege and the control of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.