In this publication version of his keynote address to the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Conference ‘Forty Years On: Political transformation and sustainability since the Referendum and into the future’, given in Canberra on 7 November 2007, Professor Altman examines the political and ideological background to the Northern Territory Emergency intervention, its policy goals, and its progress in the first four months, including a survey of implementation in five remote communities.