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 …

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…