Shine Lawyers are investigating a class action against the WA Department of Communities and other child protection agencies in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia for the removal of Indigenous children from their families.   The no-win-no-fee law firm has already filed two separate complaints with the Australian Human Rights Commission against Department of Communities and the New South Wales Deparment of Communities and Justice.  Human rights law expert, Hannah McGlade says this legal action will give voice to families and children impacted by child removal policies.  Other highlights: Budget 2024 - What's in it and not in it for mob  Beetaloo Basin Traditional Owners express their opposition to Australia's gas strategy Why a social media ban on teens to protect them from harmful content will be too much drama Weekly News in Review presented by Adam Evans.

Victoria's Police Commissioner agrees to implement 79 recommendations from the Yoorrook Justice Commission including apologising for its role in the Stolen Generations.  But Yoorrook Justice Commissioner Travis Lovett says police commitment and the apology need to be backed up by action.    Other highlights:   Professor Larissa Behrendt from the Jumbunna Institute discusses Call It Out, a new app developed with the National Justice Project, to document and report racism against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders with. Luritja man Chris Croker, co-chair of the First Nations Clean Energy Network, talks to NIRS about this week's First Nations Clean Energy Symposium.    Samuawgadhalgal artist Deborah Belyea breaks down her 2024 NAIDOC Week Poster Competition winning artwork 'Urapun Muy’.  

The battle to preserve a sacred site on land earmarked for defence housing came to a head this week in the Northern Territory.  Larrakia Custodians tried to block bulldozers from clearing land at Darwin's Lee Point/Binybara resulting in more than 20 arrests.  NIRS spoke to Larrakia Elder and custodian of the sacred site, Uncle Eric Fejo. Other highlights Paul Kabai and Pabai Pabaitalk about their historic climate class action against the Australian Goverment as final hearings conclude in Cairns.   Arbana Traditional Owners welcome proposed Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre management plan to protect sacred Country.  NIRS speaks to Chair of the Arabana Aboriginal Corporation,Bronwyn Dodd. Dr Clinton Schultz from the Black Dog Institute calls for more investment in social and emotional wellbeing supports for Indigenous children in state care. This week's episode is presented by Callan Murray.

Queensland’s Truth-Telling and Healing inquiry is set to begin on July 1 after the confirmation of its five-person panel. Waanyi-Kalkadoon barrister Joshua Creamer has been announced as Chair of the inquiry. The panel will also include former Supreme court Justice Roslyn Atkinson, Cheryl Buchanan from the truth and treaty body, lawyer Ivan Ingram and Vonda Malone from the Torres Strait Regional Authority. NIRS journalist Stephen Clarke speaks to Mr Creamer. Other highlights include: Four Gweagal spears stolen by Captain Cook returned to La Perouse Aboriginal Community. The Northern Territory Government to repurpose Darwin’s Don Dale Youth Detention Centre back into maximum security adult prison. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Veterans mark ANZAC Day at the Coloured Digger March in Redfern.

The Federal government has created two powerful new bodies designed to oversee the protection of the environment.  While the new bodies have been welcome Labor is copping criticism over delayed promised.   NIRS spoke to conservation groups and traditional owners for their reaction.   Other highlights include: A huge anonymous donation results in a new National Park in Queensland Two new Indigenous fellows announced in Brisbane Bigambul and Wakka Wakka author Melanie Sawarddiscusses the Brisbane Writers Festival This week's program is presented by Stephen Clarke.  

A two-day Senate inquiry into the health, environmental and cultural impacts of the proposed Middle Arm gas precinct, just outside of Darwin, wrapped up this week.  Larrakia Traditional owners are concerned about the impacts of the project on cultural heritage - including precious rock art, songlines and traditional sites.  NIRS journalist Callan Murray speaks to Larrakia Traditional Owner Laniyuk. Other highlights include:  An exciting archaeological discovery in Far North Queensland could have major implications.  South Sea Islanders want to see more action on returning thousands of ancestral remains from colonial institutions. This week's episode is presented by Stephen Clarke.

Beetaloo Traditional Owners raise concerns about the Federal Government flagging changes to water trigger legislation.  National Indigenous Radio Service spoke with Nurrdalinji Native Title Corporation Chairperson Uncle Samuel Sandy Other highlights:   North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA) concerned that more NT Police will further contribute to over-incarceration of Indigenous people with Principal Legal Officer Jared Sharp Newly appointed Central Queensland Hospital Service Chairperson Matthew Cooke yarns about the importance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices in the health sector It's 15 years since Australia formally endorsed the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples [UNDRIP] with Chairperson for the Foundation for Aboriginal and Islander Research Action in Australia Les Malezer This episode is presented by Callan Murray.  

An Indigenous financial counselling and consumer advocacy group wants greater scrunity of businesses using Centrepay debit system.  Mob Strong Debt Help counsellor  Bettina Cooper says they've noticed a trend of businesses overcharging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander on welfare.    Other highlights:   Outgoing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner June Oscar AO addresses the National Press Club in Canberra Uncle Jim Everett arrested for protesting logging in Tasmania calls for pro-environmental movement in the Lutruwita Indigenous communities solving energy problems with clean energy projects with Original Powers Lauren Mellor Indigenous author submissions for First Nations Writers Festival close this weekend with festival Chair Anna Borzi This week’s episode is presented by Callan Murray.  

Law academic says a holistic approach is needed to reduce the numbers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in custody in light of New South Wales toughened bail laws.  UTS Law Professor Thalia Anthony, toldNIRS governments need to invest in preventative community-based programs.   Other highlights: National Close the Gap Day: Lowitja Institute chair, Selwyn Button urges Governments to speed up progress Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service’s Sarah Schwartz on state government breaking promise on youth bail laws in favour of Big Brother tactics   Redfern Legal Centre Senior Solicitor Samantha Lee demands reforms to New South Wales police powers to curb overrepresentation of Indigenous young people being strip-searched  National Indigenous Youth Education Coalition’s Hayley McQuire onAustralia's first report highlighting historical and ongoing exclusion of Indigenous students from school learning  Ghost Net artworks shine light on ocean pollution with Pormpuraaw artist Syd Bruce Shortjoe  This week’s episode is presented by Callan Murray.  

Traditional owners on New South Wales south coast hope a class action law suit will end decades of prosecution against Aboriginal cultural fishing practices. Uncle Wally Stewart has spent decades defending Aboriginal cultural fishing rights and told NIRS the government has a lot to answer for.   Other program highlights:   CEO of the Aboriginal Legal Service for NSW and the ACT, Karly Warner speaks about the NSW Government’s proposed changes to bail laws First Peoples Disability Network CEO Damian Griffis calls for a forum to represent Indigenous people living with a disability CEO and Chairman of the World Indigenous Television Broadcasters Shane Taurima – Kaihautu speaks about the Hawaikirangi World Indigenous Content Conference This episode is presented by Adam Evans.  

With disturbing images depicting three Aboriginal kids cable-tied in Broome, Children and Young People Commissioner WA calls for discussion about the state's citizen arrest laws. Commissioner Jacqueline McGowan-Jones told NIRS she was horrified by the action taken by the individual who detained the children and is seeking a meeting with the WA Justice Minister.    Other highlights: SNAICC calls for better outcomes for Indigenous children, with CEO Catherine Liddle Short stories imagining Indigenous Futurism with author Mykaela Saunders The fourth annual Blak and Bright festival coming up in Melbourne/Naarm with festival director Jane Harrison This program is presented by Stephen Clarke.  

A coronial inquest into the shooting death of Indigenous teenager, Kumanjayi Walker, hears damning testimony about NT police and former constable Zachary Rolfe.  NIRS speaks to Walker's cousin, Samara Fernandez-Brown about the inquest.     Other highlights: Recommendations and data from a senate inquiry into missing and murdered First Nations women and children with QIFILS' Thelma Schwartz. Jinny-Jane Smith on First Nations float at this year's Mardi Gras  Matilda Award winning actor Chenoa Deemal reflects on her artistic journey.  This week's episode is presented by Harrison Pedersen.

First ever Kaurna Day was celebrated in Adelaide this week.  NIRS speaks to Kaurna elder Uncle Rod O’Brien about the imporance of preserving language and culture after the Kaurna language was deemed critically endangered in the 1980s. This year's event has been hailed as a success with events held across three campuses of University of Adelaide.  Other highlights: Mardudhunera woman Raelene Cooper accuses the federal government  of sidelining community concerns about oil and gas projects Blak Trekkers take on Everest in the name of mental health, with the Black Dog Institute’s Clinton Schultz Meanjin-based band Yirinda talk about theirnew album and upcoming tour This week's episode is presented by Stephen Clarke.  

Aboriginal peaks welcome appointment of a national commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.  SNAICC CEO and acting lead convenor of the Coalition of Peaks, Catherine Liddle says she gratified the government has heard their calls for a dedicated commissioner and described it as a game changer in supporting Indigenous families.  This episode also focuses on the Closing the Gap Annual Report and the 2024 Implementation Plan. Other highlights: The 16th anniversary of the National Apology to the Stolen Generation with the Healing Foundation’s Ian Hamm and the Kimberley Stolen Generation Aboriginal Corporation’s Mark Bin Bakar The announcement of a National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People welcomed with more reaction from AbSec NSW’s John Leha A lack of shared-decision making powers for community-controlled organisations in the Implementation Plan with the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing Association’s ZachariahMatysek The national peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and emotional wellbeing, mental health, and suicide prevention calls for the Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Declaration to be included in the Closing the Gap Implementation Plan with Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia CEO Rachel Fishlock This episode is presented by Callan Murray.  

The Productivity Commission releases its first review of the new National Agreement on Closing the Gap and finds the government is failing in some targets.  NIRS speaks to Commissioner Romlie Mokak.  NIRS also speaks to Gary Oliver from knomore about Indigenous abuse survivors being targeted by "claim farmers".    Other program highlights: Indigenous peak bodies react to the damning review.  We hear from Kerry Staines at the National Family Violence Prevention Legal Services Forum and David Harmer from the Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council Indigenous survivors of abuse being targeted by ‘claim farmers’ with knowmore’s Gary Oliver ACT’s Corrections and Justice Health Minister Emma Davidson on thereview into the over representation of First Nations peoples in Canberra’s justice system lead by UTS's Jumbunna Institute  This week's episode is presented by Callan Murray.  

A Maori academic says proposed changes to the Treaty of Waitangi will mean Maori people and their rights will no longer exist in Aotearoa (New Zealand).  The new Luxon government has been labelled anti-Maori for its decision to remove Indigenous voices from water management and abolish the Maori Health Authority.  Auckland University Maori Studies Professor Margaret Mutu told NIRS the new government is misinterpreting the Treaty.   Other highlights: The impact from ex-Tropical Cyclone Kirrily on Townsville with 4K1G’s Eli Blackman Queensland’s Palm Island Mayor Mislam Sam calls on the government to build  an evacuation centre for the community Shine Lawyers launch complaint against New South Wales child protection department over forced removal of Indigenous children.  We speak toSpecial Counsel Caitlin Wilson New Zealand’s Treaty of Waitangi debate with Auckland University’s Margaret Mutu This week's episode is presented by Callan Murray.  

13YARN calls on mob to look out for one another on difficult days like January 26.  Aunty Marj Anderson says Australia's national day is divisive and should be celebrated on another day.   This program also features interviews with rally organisers across the country. Brisbane’s Invasion Day rally with Uncle Wayne ‘Coco’ Wharton. Invasion Day rallies in Tasmania with Nala Mansell from the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre. Perth’s Invasion Day rally with Noongar organiser Fabian Yarran The Invasion Day march in Sydney with the Blak Caucus’ Paul Silva. The Yabun Festival also on Gadigal Land with the festival’s producer Miah Wright Presented by Callan Murray.  

Weekly News in Review returns for 2024 with news of a remote station in the Top End welcoming year long supply of clean drinking water.  Frank Shadford from Seven Emu Station says the cattle station, which works with at-risk youth, now has fresh running water.   Other program highlights: WA Government bans smoking in women’s prisons with Professor Stuart Kinner from the Curtin School of Population Health. Lowitja Institute launches new grants to help eliminate HIV and viral hepatitis in Indigenous communities with Deputy CEO Paul Stewart. This week's episode is presented by Callan Murray.