Complaints lodged against Pauline Hanson's racist comments

There's been a massive backlash this week following racist comments from One Nation leader Pauline Hanson. Her remarks have been condemned by politicians and multiple complaints have been lodged with the Australian Human Rights Commission. Other Highlights: Australia has dropped the ball on HIV a…

NSW Aboriginal Land Council pulls out of Closing the Gap discussions

The NSW Aboriginal Land Council says the Minns Government has failed to deliver a genuine partnership, shared decision-making and accountability. They have now pulled out of Closing the Gap discussions. The state's Coalition of Aboriginal Peak Organisations says the government needs to back it's …

Racial bias may be behind a questionable police search of a minor in the ACT

The search of an Indigenous teenager who was removed from a bus at gunpoint could have been illegal. The Commonwealth Ombudsman has found that racial bias may have been involved in the arrest of a 17-year-old boy in Canberra last year. Other Highlights: A new report finds Queensland Indigenous ra…

Indigenous ranger groups are worried about the bird flu outbreak

While vaccination programs are being established to protect wildlife from the H5 bird flu, there are calls to boost existing biodiversity management programs. Indigenous rangers are calling for more funding to deal with threats that are already killing Australian wildlife. Other Highlights: New d…

The concept of social cohesion called into question at Royal Commission

The Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion has heard government policies often cause divisions between communities. The royal commission has focused on social cohesion and community relations in its last hearing block this week. Other highlights: A guide has been launched to create …

Racism Inquiry considering more than 700 submissions

An inquiry investigating racism and hatred directed at First Nations people is reviewing more than 700 submissions.  It's heard first hand accounts of how systemic racism is affecting the everyday lives of Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders. Other Highlights: Western Australia's police…

Indigenous NAPLAN results spark a call for education reforms

Over 60 per cent of Indigenous students in the Northern Territory need extra support with reading and numeracy.  That's according to the latest NAPLAN test results. In other states and the ACT that figure is around 33 per cent.  It's led to calls for a change to the education system especially f…

New data finds only one Closing the Gap target has been met

Governments are being urged to invest in community-led solutions to get more Closing the Gap targets on track. The annual data from this year's Closing the Gap report shows that only one target - pre-school enrolment - has been met. Four targets are worsening: adult imprisonment, suicide, childre…

Controversial child protection laws pass in the Northern Territory

The Northern Territory Government has successfully passed controversial legislation this week, making it easier to place Indigenous children with non-Indigenous families. The move has been condemned by Indigenous leaders and prompted the resignation of a leading advocate. Other highlights: Critic…

Aboriginal school turns student achievement around

Waiting for a student to be ready to learn is one of the approaches that has helped an Aboriginal school in Perth dramatically change educational outcomes. Karen Auguston is the principal of Djidi Djidi Aboriginal School which started making changes to the way they engage with their students four …