Pierre Slicer

Pierre Slicer

CPA

It was Abschol, however, which was to become the dominant organisation in pursuing Aboriginal rights. Abschol, which began in 1961 as a scheme for providing scholarships to enable Aboriginal students to undertake tertiary education, was sponsored by the Australian Union of Students. It soon realised that few Aboriginal Students ever advanced beyond junior secondary school to avail themselves of scholarships. The focus shifted to political action to improve Aboriginal living conditions and publicise their needs. Abschol became the Australian Union of Students, Aboriginal rights action group.

The group in Tasmania included Derek Roebuck, noted radical and Professor in Law at the University of Tasmania and Law graduate Pierre Slicer, both of whom were members of the Communist Party of Australia.