Protecting old trees and elevating voices of Town Camp mob

The irony of asserting her cultural rights during NAIDOC week isn't lost on Ruby Langford. She's been in Hobart Magistrates Court fighting trespass charges.  Ms Langford was attending an anti-logging protest at Snow Hill, in Tasmania's northern midlands when she was arrested. She talked about the…

The National Indigenous Children's Commissioner Officially Starts

New laws that have started this week give the National Indigenous Children's Commissioner the powers she needs to do her job. The laws cement Commissioner Sue-Anne Hunter's role in advocating for Indigenous children and holding governments accountable. Other Highlights: There are fears that propo…

A powerful outcome to the Mark Haines inquest

The family of 17-year-old Indigenous boy who died in 1988 is relieved following the outcome of an inquest into his death. NSW Deputy Coroner, Harriet Grahame has found racist attitudes affected the police investigation into the death of Mark Haines. She found the investigation was flawed and it's…

Project Invisibility: Queensland government accused of phasing out Indigenous roles

There's been a trend across the Queensland Government which has seen Indigenous leadership roles removed.  The most recent examples include two Indigenous roles in the state’s biggest health boards that are now vacant and there’s no plans to replace them. The trend is known as project invisibilit…

Aboriginal child placement principle under threat

Two leading children and young people advocates have voiced their concerns about changes to child protection systems in the Northern Territory and Queensland.   SNAICC and the National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child and Young People have both come out to respond to th…

Police body-worn cameras could be mandated in New South Wales

An Indigenous legal service has welcomed a proposed change to the way police officers use body worn cameras in New South Wales. It comes off the back of a media report highlighting police brutality and misconduct. Other Highlights: There's been a call for Brisbane's Lord Mayor to resign over the …

Urgent action needed on 'Bringing them Home'

Only five of the Bringing them Home report’s 83 recommendations have been implemented – 29 years after it was written. Now the Healing Foundation has released a new plan - 'From Sorry to Action - a Plan to Act on Bringing them Home'. The plan outlines ways to implement the remaining recommendatio…

Indigenous communities affected by Australia's worst outbreak of Diphtheria

Australia is dealing with its worst Diphtheria outbreak on record.  Over 130 people have been affected in the Northern Territory alone with Aboriginal people accounting for 95 per cent of recent cases.  The federal government has set aside over $7 million to help the NT government and Aboriginal …

Indigenous leaders react to the federal budget

Cost of living, energy, housing and healthcare were the main focus points of this week's federal budget.  Some Indigenous leaders have highlighted the lack of funding to address key issues in communities across the country. The Federal Government says over a billion dollars will be spent on Closi…

Many across the country attend vigils for Kumanjayi Little Baby

Vigils have been held across the country this week in memory of Kumanjayi Little Baby. The five-year-old girl's body was found last week after an intensive five day search around Alice Springs. Her death made waves across the nation and mourners turned out on Thursday to remember the Warlpiri gir…