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
05 October
Huge success for Lower Gulf community
Up in Northwest Queensland, in a remote outback town called Normanton, big things are happening. On Wednesday 27 September 2023, the Normanton community celebrated the official opening of Normanton Foodworks, supported by the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC), which contributed $2 million towards its total funding. The 1000 m2 store provides essential amenities and is located on Normanton's main street - a strip used by all traffic coming in and out of town. This is a game changer for Normanton locals, nearby Lower Gulf communities and passing-by travellers, thanks to a partnership between the Gulf Regional Economic Aboriginal Holdings Limited (GREAT) and Bynoe Community Advancement Cooperative Society Ltd (BCACS).
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Culture and Arts
05 October
First Nations ancestors to return home from the UK
The Australian Government has welcomed the return home of 11 First Nations ancestors from two collecting institutions in the United Kingdom, said Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke and Minister for Indigenous Australians, Linda Burney. Six ancestors will be repatriated from the Oxford Museum of Natural History, with three ancestors returning to their respective Traditional Custodians while three ancestors will be returned under Australian Government stewardship. The Pitt Rivers Museum will return two ancestors to their Traditional Custodians, with three ancestors returned under Australia Government stewardship.
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03 October
NSW: Indigenous artists showcase historical railway stories in Dubbo
Themes of transport through western NSW and stories of Stolen Generations children being taken away on trains have been explored in a series of Aboriginal artworks commissioned for a new rail maintenance centre being built in Dubbo, said Transport for NSW. The commissioned collection of artworks by three local Aboriginal artists received large praise from a public viewing that was held at the Western Plains Cultural Centre. The artwork will be housed permanently at the Mindyarra Maintenance Centre which is under construction and will service the state's new Regional Rail fleet. The artworks include interpretation of transport related stories that have been gathered from local Wiradjuri Elders and community.
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Education
04 October
$9 million awarded under the ARC's Discovery Indigenous scheme
Locating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander objects sent overseas more than a century ago and protecting the environment from perand polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are just some of the research projects that will be undertaken by researchers awarded grants under the Australian Research Council's (ARC) Discovery Indigenous scheme. ARC Chief Executive Officer, Ms Judi Zielke PSM, announced funding of almost $9 million for 9 research projects through the ARC Discovery Indigenous scheme. 'The ARC provides vital research support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers and research students through the ARC Discovery Indigenous scheme,' Ms Zielke said.
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Employment
06 October
QLD: Queenslanders to gather, together for Indigenous Business Month
Indigenous Business Month, launched at the national Small Business Minister's meeting in Cairns, will feature events across the state including a Business Yarnz event in Palm Island, an Indigenous Business Expo and Forum in Toowoomba, and a Parliamentary Reception at Parliament House in Brisbane. Now in its ninth year, Indigenous Business Month is a nationwide event held throughout October. Queenslanders can support Indigenous Business Month by attending an event this October and celebrating local First Nations businesses on social media, said Queensland Minister for Employment and Small Business Di Farmer and Queensland Minister for Treaty, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Leeanne Enoch.
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Health
06 October
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Strategy Unit receives international award
The Australian Health Practitioner Regulator Agency's (AHPRA) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Strategy Unit's (HSU) received a CLEAR award at its annual educational conference in the United States, highlighting its critical role in dismantling racist behaviours and systems in healthcare. The Council on Licensure, Enforcement and Regulation (CLEAR) serves and supports the international regulatory community. Its global membership promotes regulatory excellence to improve the quality and understanding of regulation to enhance public protection. Established in 2021, the HSU ensures that Indigenous experts lead reforms to make regulatory processes culturally safe and free from racism, and that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People are represented in decision making.
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Housing
None this edition.
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Justice
None this edition.
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Land and Native Title
04 October
Disaster funding to support flood recovery role of Kimberley Aboriginal corporations
Seven Prescribed Body Corporates (PBCs) impacted by the one-in-one-hundred-year flooding in Western Australia's Kimberley region earlier this year will receive Government support to continue their important recovery role, announced Minister for Emergency Management, Murray Watt and WA Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson. Jointly funded by the Federal and WA Governments, through the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), the Prescribed Body Corporate Recovery Support Program will fund eligible PBCs to provide community engagement, advocacy and cultural navigation services to support recovery activities and initiatives over the next two years.
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Reconciliation
06 October
MoAD a polling booth for the 2023 referendum
The Museum of Australian Democracy (MoAD) at Old Parliament House will open its doors to voters in the upcoming referendum, serving as a polling venue for the nation's first referendum of the 21st century. On Saturday 14 October 2023, MoAD will transform into an Australian Electoral Commission polling booth, and all registered voters are invited to cast their ballots in the iconic King's Hall. MoAD Director, Stephanie Bull, said 'The Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House is a remarkable place to cast your ballot. Vote in the place where decisions that shaped the nation were made, and where history happened.'
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AustralianSuper position on a First Nations Voice to Parliament
'AustralianSuper believes that all Australians should live well in retirement. While we have one of the world's best retirement savings systems, the reality is that super still isn't super for everyone. More than 30 years after the introduction of Australia's compulsory super system, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members are still less likely to have super savings, and when they do, it is around half the balance of the total Australian population. This is why AustralianSuper supports increased recognition of the First Peoples of Australia and the inclusion into the constitution of a First Nations Voice to Parliament.'
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05 October
Support for No case now at 46% well ahead of Yes case on 37% as early referendum voting starts
The latest Roy Morgan poll shows 46% of Australians (up 2% in a week) now say they will vote 'No' to establish an 'Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice' compared to only 37% (down 2%) say they would vote 'Yes' and a further 17% (unchanged) are 'Undecided' on how they would vote. Respondents around Australia were asked: 'Next month's (Asked on September 25-30, 2023)/This month's (Asked on October 1, 2023) referendum proposes a law to alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. At the referendum to be held on October 14, will you vote yes, no, or are you undecided?'.
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04 October
No jobs and rotten meat
Egregious social issues eroding the lives of First Australians that could be addressed overnight were on full display when KAP Leader Robbie Katter and KAP party founder Bob Katter toured Aurukun, Pormpuraaw and Doomadgee. Limited access to fresh and healthy produce due to distance and freight costs, shocking overcrowding in houses, and reduced opportunities for work due to Blue Card issues were among the key issues raised by on-the-ground residents. Unless prompted, no one spoke about a Voice to Parliament and there was a general sense of confusion towards the Canberra-based concept on the ground.
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03 October
Purple campaign signage
The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) has become aware of campaign signage outside of at least one early voting centre for the 2023 referendum that could potentially mislead voters about the source of a campaign message. To be absolutely clear - the signs were erected by the Yes23 campaign, not the AEC. The signs featured the legislatively required authorisation statement. However, the signage prominently used white writing against a background that is a similar shade of purple to the AEC's longstanding branding and were erected outside at least one early voting centre, in close proximity to the AEC's 'voting centre' signage.
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Nurses say YES to Indigenous Voice to Parliament
The Australian College of Nursing (ACN) reaffirmed and amplified its support for a YES vote for the Indigenous Voice to Parliament in the upcoming Referendum. ACN CEO, Adjunct Professor Kylie Ward FACN, said the Indigenous Voice to Parliament is a historic human rights and health improvement opportunity for First Nations Australians - and all Australians. 'Closing the health gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians remains unfinished business and a national priority for our country,' Adjunct Professor Kylie Ward said. 'Nurses witness first-hand the health needs of all Australians in all settings in all locations every day.'
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Business support for Indigenous causes is growing - New web data analysis shows changing norms
'The war of words surrounding the Voice referendum has created a fog that masks long-term trends,' said the League of Scholars and Praxis Communication. 'Analysis of online data and behaviour offers a new perspective on how norms are changing in relation to Indigenous causes, and the actions of businesses are an important dimension of the change. Not long ago, the notion that Australians would give up a public holiday and choose to work instead was inconceivable. Yet, in a form of silent protest, more and more people are electing to work on Australia Day.'
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Transcripts
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
08 OCT: Transcript of Interview with David Speers, ABC Insiders
Subjects: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament Referendum, Palestine, Israel, Former US President Donald Trump
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
08 OCT: Transcript of Speech to the Yes23 Campaign, Queanbeyan
Subjects: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament Referendum, Constitutional reform, Electoral matters, Yes vote
Deputy Leader of The Opposition Sussan Ley
08 OCT: Transcript of Interview with Kieran Gilbert, Sky News
Subjects: Hamas' attack on Israel, Cost of living, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament Referendum, Constitutional affairs
Deputy Leader of The Opposition Sussan Ley
08 OCT: Transcript of Interview with Narelda Jacobs, Ten News First
Subjects: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament referendum, Constitutional affairs, Electoral matters, Mental health
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
07 OCT: Transcript of Press Conference, Redfern, Sydney
Subjects: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament Referendum, Constitutional reform, Electoral matters, Indigenous affairs, Yes vote
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
07 OCT: Transcript of Press Conference, Marrickville, Sydney
Subjects: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament Referendum, Constitutional reform, Electoral matters, Yes vote
Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney
07 OCT: Transcript of Interview with Sophie Walsh, Weekend Today
Subjects: The Voice referendum, Why Australians should vote 'Yes' on October 14, How the Voice will make a practical difference
Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong, Member for Chisholm Carina Garland
07 OCT: Transcript of Doorstop Interview, Melbourne
Subjects: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament referendum, Constitutional recognition, Reconciliation, Electoral matters, Mandarin Forum
Minister for Veterans' Affairs Matt Keogh
07 OCT: Transcript of Doorstop Interview, Kings Park, Perth
Subjects: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament Referendum, Constitutional reform, Electoral matters, Indigenous affairs, Yes vote
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
06 OCT: Transcript of Address to the 'Now and Forever' Concert, Shepparton
Subjects: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament referendum, Constitutional recognition, Reconciliation, Electoral matters
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
06 OCT: Transcript of Address to the 'Now and Forever' Concert, Shepparton
Subjects: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament referendum, Constitutional recognition, Reconciliation, Electoral matters
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
06 OCT: Transcript of Remarks at Lakemba Mosque, Sydney
Subjects: Voice to Parliament, Muslim community, Garma Festival, Relationship between Muslims and the Indigenous people, Uluru Statement, Constitutional recognition, Close the Gap
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton
06 OCT: Transcript of Interview with Karl Stefanovic, Today Show
Subjects: Senator Thorpe, Voice to Parliament referendum, Treaty, Truth proposal, No campaign, Immigration, 50,000 illegal arrivals, China
Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler
06 OCT: Transcript of Press Conference, Adelaide
Subjects: Voice to Parliament, Separation of powers, Faith communities, Tobacco control sector, Tobacco, Health sector funding, National Cabinet, Bed bugs, Medicare Urgent Care Clinics
Federal Minister for Small Business Julie Collins, Queensland Minister for Small Business Di Farmer
06 OCT: Transcript of Doorstop Interview, Cairns
Subjects: Meeting of Small Business Ministers, Indigenous Business Month, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament referendum, Constitutional recognition
Minister for Education Jason Clare, Deputy Leader of the Opposition Sussan Ley
06 OCT: Transcript of Interview with Natalie Barr, Sunrise
Subjects: Senator Thorpe, Voice to Parliament referendum, Constitutional recognition, Reconciliation, Electoral matters, UN's Global Climate Fund
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
05 OCT: Transcript of Doorstop Interview, Brisbane
Subjects: Urgent Care Clinic, 58 clinics to open by end of 2023, New Zealand model, Decreasing medicines cost, Medicare, Senator Thorpe, Voice to Parliament Referendum, Yes Campaign
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
05 OCT: Transcript of Opening Remarks at the Faith Leader's Roundtable
Subjects: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament Referendum, Uluru Statement from the Heart, Constitutional amendment, Yes campaign
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
05 OCT: Transcript of Interview with Narelda Jacobs, 10 News First Midday
Subjects: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, Voice to Parliament referendum, Lidia Thorpe, Neo-nazism in Australia
Minister for the Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek
05 OCT: Transcript of Interview with Laura Jayes, Sky News AM Agenda
Subjects: Recycling, Environment law reform, The Voice referendum, Circular Economy Advisory Group, Environmental protection, Biodiversity
Minister for Women Katy Gallagher
05 OCT: Transcript of Speech - Voting Yes is about constitutional recognition to get better outcomes
Subjects: Closing the Gap, Voice to Parliament referendum, Birthing on Country program
Minister for Veterans' Affairs Matt Keogh and Member for Canning Andrew Hastie
05 OCT: Transcript of Interview with Gary Adshead, 6PR Perth Radio Mornings
Subjects: Voice Referendum, Pollie Pedal, Door-knocking, Cost of living crisis, Democracy, Defence Act, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander matters
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
04 OCT: Transcript of Interview with Amanda Keller & Brendan Jones, WSFM Sydney
Subjects: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament referendum, Constitutional recognition, Reconciliation, Electoral matters
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
04 OCT: Transcript of Interview with Richard Glover, ABC Radio Sydney Drive
Subjects: Bushfires, National Disaster Preparedness Summit, Voice to Parliament Referendum, Constitutional change, Yes campaign, Bega
Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy and Member for Parramatta Andrew Charlton
04 OCT: Transcript of Press Conference, Parramatta
Subjects: Voice Referendum, Literacy for Life Foundation, Closing the Gap, Multiculturalism, Yes campaign, Improving literacy outcomes, First Nations
Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth
04 OCT: Transcript of Interview with Tom Oriti, ABC Newsradio
Subjects: Disability Royal Commission, Recommendations, Autism Cooperative Research Centre, South Australian teaching degrees, Voice to Parliament Referendum, Human rights
Minister for the Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek
04 OCT: Transcript of Interview with Patricia Karvelas, ABC RN Breakfast
Subjects: Finding recycling solutions, 24 of 126 projects running, Environment law reform, Voice Referendum, REDcycle collapse, 2,800 jobs, Regulating packaging
Minister for Home Affairs Clare O'Neil, Shadow Minister for Finance Jane Hume
04 OCT: Transcript of Interview with Natalie Barr, Sunrise
Subjects: The Voice to Parliament Referendum, Climbing yes support, Interest rates, Reserve Bank decision, Cost of living pressures, Closing the Gap, Democracy, Immigration
Assistant Minister for Rural and Regional Health Emma McBride
04 OCT: Transcript of Press Conference, Wagga Wagga
Subjects: Aboriginal Medical Services, Voice Referendum, Indigenous women's health, Yes campaign, Lactation Training Program, Breastfeeding, RivMed, Closing the Gap, Birth trauma inquiry
Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton and Shadow Assistant Minister for Education Nola Marino
04 OCT: Transcript of Doorstop Interview, Picton
Subjects: Visit to South West WA, Cost of living crisis, Border security and immigration, Voice to Parliament, Illegal arrivals, Truth proposal
Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Birmingham
04 OCT: Transcript of Interview with Kieran Gilbert, Sky News Live, Afternoon Agenda
Subjects: Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Voice referendum, Qatar Airways, Australia's tourism industry
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Minister for Housing Julie Collins
03 OCT: Transcript of Doorstop Interview, Hobart
Subjects: Fee-free TAFE, Voice to Parliament referendum, Reconciliation, Constitutional recognition, Electoral matters, Tasmanian Politics, Closing the gap
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
03 OCT: Transcript of Interview with Rhea Gillis & Phil Bradley, Triple M Hobart
Subjects: Fee-free TAFE, Voice to Parliament referendum, Tasmanian politics, TAFE centres, YES23 campaign
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
03 OCT: Transcript of Opening Remarks to the Federal Cabinet Meeting, Hobart
Subjects: Visit to Tasmania, Government priorities, Fee-free TAFE, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander relations, Voice to Parliament Referendum
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
03 OCT: Transcript of Interview with Dan Taylor, HIT 100.9 Breakfast
Subjects: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament referendum, Constitutional recognition, Reconciliation, Electoral matters
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
03 OCT: Transcript of Interview Sabra Lane, ABC AM
Subjects: Voice to Parliament referendum, Constitutional recognition, Reconciliation, Electoral matters, Childcare, Disability Royal Commission, Tasmanian Government
Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney, Minister for Housing Julie Collins, Senator for Tasmania Catryna Bilyk
03 OCT: Transcript of Doorstop Interview, Hobart
Subjects: First Nations health, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament referendum, Constitutional recognition, Reconciliation
Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong, SA Premier Peter Malinauskas, SA Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Kyam Maher and Member for Newland Olivia Savvas
03 OCT: Transcript of Doorstop Interview, Modbury, SA
Subjects: Voice referendum, Yes 23, Closing-the-Gap, Early voting in South Australia, Democracy, Robert Pether's detention in Iraq, Pacific relations
Minister for Skills and Training Brendan O'Connor
03 OCT: Transcript of Address to the National Press Club, Skilling the Nation for the Future
Subjects: Voice Referendum, Yes campaign, Myer Kangan report 50 year anniversary, Modern TAFE sector, Tri-partite report, VET sector
Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories Kristy McBain, Leader of the Nationals David Littleproud
03 OCT: Transcript of Interview with Stephen Cenatiempo, 2CC
Subjects: Live sheep, Agribusiness, Rural economy, Voice to Parliament referendum, Constitutional recognition, Reconciliation, Electoral matters, Cost of living
Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care Ged Kearney
03 OCT: Transcript of Doorstop Interview, Melbourne
Subjects: Doctors for YES, Patient healthcare access, Medical discrimination, Aboriginal and Torres-Strait Islanders, Voice to Parliament referendum
Shadow Finance Minister Jane Hume
02 OCT: Transcript of Interview with Raf Epstein, ABC Radio Melbourne
Subjects: Mike Pezzullo, Public service, Voice to Parliament referendum, Constitutional recognition, Reconciliation, Electoral matters
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Reports
Community sector leaders urge Australians to back Voice to Parliament
Australian Council Of Social Service (ACOSS)
The community sector is launching a final campaign push for the Voice to Parliament, with more than 80 leading community groups across housing, health, legal, disability, financial aid and social welfare releasing a joint statement urging Australians to vote Yes to ensure First Nations voices are heard. ACOSS, State and Territory Council of Social Service (COSS) bodies, Brotherhood of St Laurence, Oxfam, Save the Children, Sacred Heart Mission, Mission Australia, Life without Barriers, Community Housing Industry Association, Economic Justice Australia are among groups urging people to vote Yes on Oct 14.
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SA: Aboriginal Health Care Framework 2023 - 2031
SA Department for Health & Wellbeing
The South Australian government is committed to working in partnership to improve the lives of South Australian Aboriginal people. As part of this, SA Health is working to address the health inequities faced by Aboriginal people and reduce the gap in health outcomes between South Australia's Aboriginal people and the rest of the state's population. The Framework recognises the diverse needs of Aboriginal people and communities across South Australia and acknowledges the leading role Aboriginal people must play in determining priorities and actions for improved health. It will be applied through a partnership approach between DHW, LHNs, ACCHSs and Aboriginal people and communities.
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WA: Aboriginal Procurement Policy exceeds set targets for the fourth year in a row
WA Department of Finance
The Aboriginal Procurement Policy, administered by WA Finance, has exceeded its targets for a fourth year in a row, with the end of year report showing targets were almost double in 2022- 23. 356 contracts were awarded to Aboriginal businesses this year, totalling more than $254 million in value. Across the board the number of contracts awarded has steadily increased from 179 contracts since the Aboriginal Procurement Policy was introduced in 2018-19. The number of Aboriginal businesses engaged also has increased year on year.
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Hansards
Australian Capital Territory
19 SEP 2023: ACT ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders - Voice to Parliament
Tasmania
28 SEP 2023: TAS ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Adjournment - Indigenous Voice to Parliament - Referendum
27 SEP 2023: Tas Assembly Hansard: Tabled Papers - Questions On Notice - Answers - No. 49 of 2023 - Tasmania Police - Employment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders
27 SEP 2023: Tas Assembly Hansard: Tabled Papers - Questions On Notice - Answers - No. 48 Of 2023 - Tasmania Police - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Interactions
27 SEP 2023: TAS ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Tabled Papers - Questions on Notice - Answers - No. 47 of 2023 - Tasmania Police - Aboriginal Liaison Positions
27 SEP 2023: TAS ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Tabled Papers - Questions on Notice - Answers - No. 46 of 2023 - Tasmania Police - Aboriginal Strategic Plan 2014-2022
Victoria
05 OCT 2023: VIC ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Members Statements - Voice to Parliament
05 OCT 2023: VIC ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Questions Without Notice and Ministers Statements - Ministers Statements - Voice to Parliament
05 OCT 2023: VIC ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Questions Without Notice and Ministers Statements - Ministers Statements - First Nations policies
04 OCT 2023: VIC ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Members Statements - Voice to Parliament
03 OCT 2023: VIC COUNCIL HANSARD: Members statements - Voice to Parliament
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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
None this edition.
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New Acts
None this edition.
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