This Newsletter covers Federal and State policy and legislative developments in the area of Indigenous Affairs. Copies of documents referred to can be obtained by clicking on the reference in this Newsletter or through Capital Monitor's collection at www.capitalmonitor.com.au or from the source quoted.
Major Announcements
Communities and Families
03 November
Supporting young men to break cycles of family violence
First Nations boys and men aged 10 to 25 will be supported with an expanded specialist family violence hotline as the latest investment in a rollout of various trial programs across Australia targeted towards innovative perpetrator responses, said Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth, Assistant Minister for Social Services and Victorian Minister for Prevention of Family Violence Vicki Ward. The Australian Government is working in partnership with the Victorian Government to support specialist family violence service Dardi Munwurro to enhance their Brother-to-Brother men's crisis phone line, as part of a shared objective to end violence against women and children in one generation.
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01 November
NAB announces First Nations business growth ambition with a $1 billion lending target
NAB set a new target to more than double its lending to First Nations businesses and community organisations to at least $1 billion over the next three years. Through its growing network of specialised bankers across Australia, NAB will fund First Nations businesses and community organisations eager to unlock their potential and grow. NAB Group Executive Business and Private Banking, Andrew Irvine, said NAB's ambitious new lending target represented an increase of more than 140% based on current lending of $413 million and would help stimulate sustainable business growth to help create prosperity for First Nations communities.
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VIC: Progress for Aboriginal children and young people even more vital post-referendum
Progress and challenges for Aboriginal children and young people across the child protection, out-of-home care and youth justice systems have been detailed in the annual report of the Commission for Children and Young People (CCYP). 'Systemic advocacy, oversight and reform that centres the voices of Aboriginal children and young people have become increasingly vital in the wake of the 14 October referendum result,' said Meena Singh, Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People. 'Our work this year shows we have achieved significant progress, despite remaining challenges, and we must grasp new opportunities for further gains with even greater energy in the absence of a national Indigenous Voice to Parliament.'
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Culture and Arts
30 October
NSW: Connecting to Country through the power of music
Music often has many associations, but few songs will have as deep a meaning as one recorded by students from six small schools on the Central Coast, said the NSW Department of Education. The Rumbalara Environmental Education Centre (EEC) worked with the schools to write and record a song about connecting to and Acknowledging Country. The schools involved were Peats Ridge, Central Mangrove, Somersby, Kulnura, Wyong Creek and Jilliby public schools. The project started in 2021 and was partly funded by a NAIDOC Day grant. Rumbalara EEC Principal Christine Freeman said the support of the community was critical to the project's success.
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Education
03 November
Delivering early childhood and care in remote Australia
The Federal Government are ensuring more First Nations children will be able to access early childhood education and care in remote communities. Minister for Early Childhood Education Dr Anne Aly announced four new community-run early childhood education and care services. 'Every child should be able to access quality early childhood education and care, no matter where they live,' Dr Aly said. 'When children access quality early learning they do better throughout life, from better health outcomes, improved school readiness and higher paying jobs later in life.'
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Employment
03 November
WA: Synergy partners with Stars Foundation to empower First Nations girls and young women
Synergy is partnering with the Stars Foundation to help improve the health, education and employment outcomes for Indigenous girls and young women in Western Australia. Synergy will provide up to $100,000 over two years to help the Stars Foundation run holistic mentoring programs in WA schools. CEO David Fyfe said Synergy's new partnership with the Stars Foundation will help Indigenous girls and young women in WA to reach their full potential. 'Providing educational and employment opportunities will improve the outcomes for not only the girls themselves, but also their families and communities.'
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30 October
Boost to US-Australian Indigenous trade
During the Prime Minister's state visit to the US, President Joe Biden announced $250,000 in new funding for Indigenous business opportunities, said Supply Nation. The announcement coincided with a roundtable between Australian and United States Indigenous businesses and government leaders, led by delegations from Supply Nation and the Native American Business Association (NABA). NABA President, Amanda Smith said Indigenous Peoples in the US and Australia shared similar histories and common aspirations. 'Both of our peoples have survived colonisation and shown incredible resilience. Both of us know that a strong business sector and a growing Indigenous economy is essential to our survival as distinct, self- determining peoples,' she said.
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Health
01 November
National Rural Health Month highlights healthcare inequities
National Rural Health Month has begun - a month which highlights the inequities that rural, regional and remote Australians face when trying to access the same health care as their urban counterparts. 'This November, we take the opportunity to highlight the myriad of issues faced by rural and remote communities in Australia when trying to access health care, aiming to draw the attention of health sector stakeholders to work towards tangible and sustainable solutions,' said Susi Tegen, Chief Executive of the Alliance.
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30 October
NAIF loan to expand health services in Townsville
The Australian Government's Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) will provide $25 million to improve health facilities at Mater Private Hospital in Townsville, said Minister for Resources and Northern Australia, Madeleine King. The loan will support the construction of a state-of-the-art maternity unit as well as the refurbishment and expansion of facilities to allow for a larger renal dialysis unit at the hospital's Pimlico Campus. This significant investment will improve healthcare services in the region, promote economic growth, and improve Indigenous engagement and healthcare. It is the second NAIF loan to the Townsville Mater Private Hospital.
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Housing
02 November
Class action investigation announced by Slater and Gordon over housing justice for Aboriginal tenants living in remote communities in Western Australia
Leading class actions law firm Slater and Gordon has announced an investigation into a potential class action on behalf of thousands of tenants living in substandard public housing in remote Aboriginal communities. The announcement comes in the wake of a landmark High Court decision relating to housing rights of Aboriginal tenants in the Northern Territory run by Australian Lawyers for Remote Aboriginal Rights (ALRAR). It follows site visits by Slater and Gordon to several remote communities in WA where tenants were living in properties unfit for habitation under residential tenancy laws.
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Justice
02 November
Tiwi Traditional Owner's Federal Court injunction win delays Santos laying gas pipeline
'I am elated that the Federal Court has issued an injunction that prevents Santos from starting to lay its export gas pipeline and that Jikilaruwu clan Traditional Owner Simon Munkara has been successful in his emergency court action. While the decision means a temporary halt on construction works is in place until the next court date, this is a significant win for Traditional Owners who have to go head to head against fossil fuel corporations to protect their ancient underwater cultural heritage,' said Greens portfolio holder for First Nations, Resources, Trade, Tourism and Sport, Dorinda Cox.
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31 October
End to the Suspect Target Management Plan
In a major win for justice and for young people across NSW, NSW Police have announced the end of the oppressive and harmful Suspect Targeting Management Plan (STMP). 'This follows a concerted 6-year campaign by Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) and our partners.' A young person placed on the STMP became a target for 'pro-active attention'.' In our casework, we saw too many times how this exposed a young person to police harassment, with on-going and repeated stops, searches and visits to the young person's home at any time of day or night. Since 2017, we have called out the STMP as unreasonably oppressive and racially biased.'
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30 October
Indigenous families in the Newcastle region to benefit from specialist services dedicated to assisting families navigate the family law system
The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1 and Division 2) (the Courts) are committed to providing safe, fair, efficient and relevant access to justice for all Australians. As part of that commitment the Courts are pleased to announce the commencement of a Specialist Indigenous List operating from the Newcastle registry in NSW from 30 October 2023. The list has been named Wonai Nganka Kanan which means 'children/child first' in the local Awabakal language.
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Land and Native Title
30 October
Bringing together Indigenous values and voices on climate action from across the Pacific
Indigenous values and voices to tackle climate change was the focus of a gathering in Port Douglas on Kuku Yalanji Country this month, according to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW). Australia hosted the UNFCCC Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples Platform (LCIPP) Pacific Regional Gathering with First Nations people and Indigenous Peoples from the Pacific and governments from Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific. 'The event focused on the impacts of climate change on ecosystems and the lives of Indigenous Peoples and how to achieve holistic solutions. Australia's First Nations peoples and our Pacific Indigenous neighbours are on the front lines of climate change.'
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Reconciliation
02 November
ACN First Nations Faculty Statement - The Voice Referendum
'The First Nations Faculty of the Australian College of Nursing (ACN) acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands and waterways where we all work and live. The Referendum was a devastating result for many peoples across Australia. For many First Nations people, this continues to be a difficult period as, overwhelmingly, First Nations Peoples supported the Yes Campaign. We require time to process, grieve, and heal before we can move forward. We seek support from our non-Indigenous colleagues as we navigate these difficult next steps,' said ACN.
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Transcripts
Minister for the Environment And Water Tanya Plibersek
03 NOV: Transcript of Speech at the Sydney Peace Prize, University of Sydney
Subjects: Uluru Statement from the Heart, Reconciliation, Activism, Equality, Recognition, Democracy, Justice
Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth
03 NOV: Transcript of Interview with David Lipson, ABC PM
Subjects: Family and domestic violence, Innovative Perpetrator Responses, Brother-to-Brother hotline, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Action Plan, NT, Toxic masculinity
Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland
03 NOV: Transcript of Speech at the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia Conference, Adelaide
Subjects: Community broadcasting roadmap, Radio, Sustainability, Program delivery, Community TV, First Nations community radio
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
31 OCT: Transcript of Interview with David Dowsett, ABC Wide Bay Breakfast
Subjects: Visit to Bundaberg, Manufacturing, Bundaberg Medicare Urgent Care Clinic, Australia's relationship with China, Trade, Voice to Parliament, Bushfires
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Reports
Annual Report 2022-23
Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA)
Part 1 of this report presents reviews of the Torres Strait Regional Authority's (TSRA) activities in 2022-23 from the Chairperson of the TSRA Board and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), along with case studies of highlights of the year. It also provides information about the TSRA's role, legislation, functions, powers, ministerial responsibility and organisational structure.
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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cancer Plan
National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO)
This Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cancer Plan supports a cancer journey for each and every Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person that matches their life course, needs and values. While it is an individual who receives a cancer diagnosis, this Plan optimises individual connection to family, culture and Community. This Plan combines population-level approaches that build on the collectives of Community and culture with individual treatments based on evidence to optimise clinical cancer outcomes. This Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cancer Plan has been written to change cancer experiences and create a new foundation for partnership in Australia's national approach to cancer control.
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SA: Government Response to Standing Committees - Aboriginal Land Parliamentary Standing Committee: Inquiry into Aboriginal Heritage
SA Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Kyam Maher
'I acknowledge the AH Act could be improved, and to that end, I introduced the Aboriginal Heritage (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill 2023 (SA) (SA Amendment Bill) into Parliament in May 2023. While the purpose of the SA Amendment Bill was to implement the Malinauskas Government's commitments to increase penalties for breaching the AH Act, as well as to provide certainty around requirements upon the discovery of Aboriginal heritage (after that issue was recently litigated), I remain open to considering options for broader reforms to the state's Aboriginal heritage legislation, particularly in light of any national reforms.'
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SA: Government Response to Standing Committees - Aboriginal Land Parliamentary Standing Committee: Inquiry into Aboriginal Heritage - Recommendation 5
SA Minister for Energy and Mining Tom Koutsantonis
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SA: Inquiry into the Application of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle in the Removal and Placement of Aboriginal Children in South Australia - Government Response
South Australian Government
This report has been prepared as an initial response to the Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People's Preliminary Report on the Inquiry into Application of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle in the Removal and Placement of Aboriginal Children in South Australia. Commissioner April Lawrie's report, released on 4 October 2023, includes 17 recommendations with a number designed to inform the Government's ongoing reform of the Children and Young People (Safety) Act 2017.
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Hansards
Federal
27 OCT 2023: SENATE SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES HANSARD: FINANCE & PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION LEGISLATION COMMITTEE - Cross-Portfolio Indigenous Matters - Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies
27 OCT 2023: SENATE SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES HANSARD: FINANCE & PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION LEGISLATION COMMITTEE - Cross-Portfolio Indigenous Matters - National Indigenous Australians Agency - Opening Statement
27 OCT 2023: SENATE SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES HANSARD: FINANCE & PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION LEGISLATION COMMITTEE - Cross-Portfolio Indigenous Matters - Northern Territory Aboriginal Investment Corporation
27 OCT 2023: SENATE SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES HANSARD: FINANCE & PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION LEGISLATION COMMITTEE - Cross-Portfolio Indigenous Matters - Anindilyakwa Land Council - Central Land Council - Northern Land Council - Tiwi Land Council
27 OCT 2023: SENATE SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES HANSARD: FINANCE & PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION LEGISLATION COMMITTEE - Cross-Portfolio Indigenous Matters - Department of Health - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health
27 OCT 2023: SENATE SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES HANSARD: FINANCE & PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION LEGISLATION COMMITTEE - Cross-Portfolio Indigenous Matters - National Indigenous Australians Agency - Outcome 1 - Effectively delivering programs
27 OCT 2023: SENATE SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES HANSARD: FINANCE & PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION LEGISLATION COMMITTEE - Cross-Portfolio Indigenous Matters - Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation
27 OCT 2023: SENATE SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES HANSARD: FINANCE & PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION LEGISLATION COMMITTEE - Cross-Portfolio Indigenous Matters - Public Interest Immunity Claims
27 OCT 2023: SENATE SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES HANSARD: FINANCE & PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION LEGISLATION COMMITTEE - Cross-Portfolio Matters - Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations - Indigenous Business - Office of Township Leasing
27 OCT 2023: SENATE SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES HANSARD: FINANCE & PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION LEGISLATION COMMITTEE - Cross-Portfolio Indigenous Matters - Aboriginal Hostels Limited - Outcome 1.1 - Temporary accommodation for First Nations people
New South Wales
26 OCT 2023: NSW COUNCIL ESTIMATES HANSARD: Portfolio Committee No. 1 - Premier and Finance - Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty, Gaming and Racing, Veterans, The Central Coast, Medical Research
South Australia
02 NOV 2023: SA ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Answers to Questions - Aboriginal Family Support Services
02 NOV 2023: SA ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Parliamentary Committees - Aboriginal Lands Parliamentary Standing Committee - Report 2022-23
02 NOV 2023: SA COUNCIL HANSARD: Question Time - Aboriginal Affairs
01 NOV 2023: SA COUNCIL HANSARD: Bills - First Nations Voice Repeal Bill 2023 - Introduction and First Reading, Second Reading, Debate Adjourned
01 NOV 2023: SA COUNCIL HANSARD: Question Time - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle
01 NOV 2023: SA COUNCIL HANSARD: Question Time - First Nations Voice to Parliament
01 NOV 2023: SA COUNCIL HANSARD: Question Time - Aboriginal Remains, Riverlea Park
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Court Cases
None this edition.
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New Regulations
None this edition.
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Proclamations
None this edition.
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Gazette Notices
None this edition.
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Consolidated Legislation
None this edition.
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New Bills
South Australia
First Nations Voice Repeal Bill 2023 - LC intro 1/11, LC 2R 1/11
Tasmania
Aboriginal Lands Amendment (2024 Council Election) Bill 2023 - LA intro 31/10
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New Acts
None this edition.
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