Some Australians who claim to be Indigenous are getting rich from the benefits of being labeled as such, according to Aboriginal leaders.
Concerns have been raised after the latest Census data revealed a 25 percent increase in people identifying themselves as Indigenous.
Nathan Moran, the chief executive of the Metropolitan Aboriginal Land Council, said that people have known about abusing the system for years.
In response, Moran called for the adoption of a national identity test that would officially confirm a person’s claim to be Indigenous.
“It makes me sick to my stomach,” he added.
“The sad and unfortunate reality is that people have used self-identification to receive jobs, housing and scholarships they’re not entitled to which are meant for the indigenous.”
He continued: “The Indigenous birth rates don’t match up with the population increase.”
The test, which consists of a three-part process, requires individuals to provide proof that they are of Torres Strait Islander or Aboriginal descent.
They would also be accepted and verified by the community they previously resided in.
In November, the MLALC raised concerns about the growing number of students who use statutory declarations to claim to be Indigenous.