There were times in Australian history when the singular, awesome power of the King was
wielded over colonial subjects of the British Empire, including citizen settlers occupying new
lands and subject populations whose territories had been invaded and claimed on behalf of
the Crown. However, the consequences of an invasion that took place according to 18th
century conventions of conquest and rule are still evident in present-day Australia. Recent
events such as the Northern Territory Intervention in 2007 share some of the characteristics
of sovereign power exercised at the moment of European settlement over two hundred years
ago, especially moves to restrict and control the basic life conditions of Aboriginal peoples,
their occupation of lands, and life sustenance. This paper focuses on one aspect of the
sociology and politics of liberal modes of governing: the function of specialist knowledges
underpinning shifting modes of governing Aboriginal peoples.