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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Governments must end youth detention abuse

The Australian Human Rights Commission today expressed continuing and deep concern about the abuse of young people in detention. “The focus on punitive measures is failing young people. A much better approach is to focus on effective early intervention, prevention and diversion programs,” said the...

Category, News
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Mabo Lecture - National Native Title Conference 2017

Speech given at the National Native Title Conference, Townsville Introduction in Bunuba Yaningi warangira ngindaji yuwa muwayi ingirranggu, Gurambilbarra Walgurakaba yani u. Balangarri wadjirragali jarra ningi – gamali ngindaji yau muwayi nyirrami ngarri thangani. Yaningi miya ngindaji Muwayi ingga...

Category, Speech
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Uluru Statement ‘cannot be ignored’

Australia’s human rights bodies tell political leaders: Uluru Statement ‘cannot be ignored’ Australia’s federal, state and territory human rights bodies have urged political leaders to work across party lines to deliver Constitutional reform for Australia’s First Peoples. In a joint letter, the...

Category, Story
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Uluru Statement calls for First Nations’ voice in the constitution

To resounding applause, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander delegates from across the country have agreed to a landmark Uluru Statement calling for the establishment of a First Nations’ voice enshrined in the constitution. "We, gathered at the 2017 National Constitutional Convention, coming...

Category, Story
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Uluru Convention ‘an historic opportunity for change’

“We gather from the furthest corners of this country to discuss a matter of great importance: how we, as the First Peoples of this country, stand in Australia’s founding legal document – the Constitution.” In her opening remarks to the Uluru National Convention, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait...

Category, Story
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Government urged to commit to Close the Gap priorities

The Close the Gap campaign calls on the Federal Government to prioritise Indigenous health in its May 2017 budget. The Campaign's 2017 Budget Position paper lists nine priorities that will help close the gap in health inequality for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. “The Close the Gap...

Category, News
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Listen to us: we know what we need

Decades of reports and inquiries have largely echoed what Indigenous leaders have long asked for: we want Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to be at the heart of any reform agenda involving our people, says Robynne Quiggin. The 2016 Social Justice and Native Title Report details the...

Category, Opinion
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Indigenous injustice: so much evidence was ignored

I was shocked but not surprised by the ABC’s Four Corners revelations last Monday night. Incontrovertible CCTV evidence of Aboriginal children subject to demeaning, debilitating and dehumanizing behaviour has galvanised the Australian community and prompted the creation of a Royal Commission with an...

Category, Opinion
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Indigenous Property Rights: Land, Business and Governance

Thank you Galarrwuy for your warm welcome to Gulkula on your country. It is really wonderful to be here on the occasion the 40th anniversary of the Northern Territory Land Rights Act and another successful Garma Festival. I am a Gangulu man from the Dawson Valley in Central Queensland, I acknowledge...

Category, Speech
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Children's rights must come first, says Mick Gooda

The recent death of a 10-year-old in the Kimberley is a tragedy and I pass on my condolences to her family at this particularly distressing time. This tragedy has heightened my conviction that the lives of all of our children in Australia are precious and should be protected at all costs. Nearly 20...

Category, Opinion
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Generation to Close the Gap?

At the heart of this nation, there is a fundamental wrong in the relationship between the First Peoples and non-Indigenous people. We are divided between those who celebrate Australia Day without any thought of the implications of that day, and those who mourn Invasion Day and mark it as Survival Day...

Category, Opinion
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Government’s Healthy Welfare Card no solution to alcohol abuse

In Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across the country, old wounds are being reopened. Many of our people are being forced to revisit the past trauma of income management and stolen wages. The federal government’s Healthy Welfare Card has created great concern and contention, as the...

Category, Opinion
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Indigenous Property Rights

Thank you Donna Ingram for that wonderful welcome to country. I want to pay respect to the traditional owners of the land on which we meet, the Gadigal people of the Eora nation, and pay respect to the elders past and present.

Category, Speech
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Universal Periodic Review Reception Address 9 November 2015

Thank you Ambassador Quinn for your warm welcome and thank you for generously hosting us here today. I would like to begin by acknowledging all Ambassadors and Excellencies with us this evening. I acknowledge the grandfather of our Parliament, the Hon Mr Philip Ruddock MP, Special Envoy for...

Category, Speech