Broome's economy: Renaturalising neoliberalism?

This chapter examines Aboriginal labour and intergenerational change in a 'frontier' town where colonisation is proceeding through the imposition of the economic institutions of 'the Moderns'. Before turning to Latour, it starts with a sketch of what labour conditions were like for people in Daniel's great-grandfather's generation, that of Paddy Roe. Broome Aboriginal people dispose of a set of stories, or rather a genre that distinguishes them from non-locals. The chapter discusses the study of Broome makes visible the possibility that there is a community of 'locals' relatively indifferent to Economy, because they have another, more 'traditional' economy to which to turn. Such communities might be somewhat immune to a narrative that tries to carry the imperative 'it is only a matter of time' before Broome is 'developed'. Economic activity based on country where people live has to recognise its earthboundedness.