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
28 July
VIC: Call to honour inspiring Aboriginal Victorians
The Victorian Government is calling for nominations to recognise the outstanding work and achievements of Aboriginal Victorians, past and present, to celebrate their contributions to Victoria, said Victorian Minister for Treaty and First Peoples Gabrielle Williams. Nominations are now open for the Victorian Aboriginal Honour Roll, which formally recognises Aboriginal people who have made a significant contribution to the community and the state. Since it was established in 2010, the Honour Roll has recognised 139 Aboriginal people for their work in a wide range of fields including health, education, justice, sport, the arts, community leadership and military service.
Download
27 July
Indigenous veterans of Korean War recognised
As part of its ongoing research program, the Australian War Memorial has identified more than 60 Indigenous men who served for Australia during the Korean War, 70 years after the Korean Armistice Agreement. 'This is part of the Memorial's determination to ensure all who have served, suffered and died in the defence of our freedoms are recognised,' Australian War Memorial Director, Matt Anderson, said. 'The research helps build our understanding and knowledge of Indigenous service in Korea and many other conflicts.' Australian War Memorial Indigenous Liaison Officer, and Ngunnawal/Gomeroi man, Michael Bell, leads the research on contributions and service of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.
Download
26 July
Delivering water to remote Northern Territory First Nations communities
The Federal and Northern Territory Governments are investing in two projects to give First Nations communities access to clean, reliable water, said Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek, NT Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water Security, Lauren Moss, and Member for Lingiari, Marion Scrymgour. Most Australians would be shocked to learn that tens of thousands of First Nations people in remote communities still don't have access to healthy drinking water. It harms people economically, because towns and families can't get ahead if they can't rely on the basics of life, and culturally it causes harm for people to see their river and waterways run dry.
Download
VIC: Aboriginal-led family violence service for Bayside Peninsula Area
The Victorian Government is working with Aboriginal communities to deliver a new, Aboriginal-led service in the Bayside Peninsula Area to support Aboriginal people affected by family violence, said Victorian Minister for Prevention of Family Violence Ros Spence and Victorian Minister Williams. The new service is fully staffed by an Aboriginal workforce known as 'Journey Walkers' who will provide culturally safe support for Aboriginal families. The service will be a first point of contact, offering counselling, accommodation referrals, behaviour change programs and financial support services. These services will be provided face-to-face, by phone, email and walk-ins and importantly, include outreach support to Aboriginal communities and groups.
Download
Return to top
Culture and Arts
28 July
NT: National Aboriginal Art Gallery concept designs released
The Northern Territory's flagship National Aboriginal Art Gallery is one step closer with concept designs released. NT Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Chansey Paech and National Reference Group co-chair Franchesca Cubillo unveiled the designs by BVN Architecture and local architects Susan Dugdale & Associates. The Territory Government has invested $69 million to develop the new National Aboriginal Art Gallery to be located in Alice Springs (Mparntwe). The Australian Government has invested a further $80 million into the project. The Northern Territory is world renowned for its rich Aboriginal cultural history and the modern, state of the art Gallery will exclusively house First Nations artwork.
Download
25 July
NSW: Funding announced to help communities celebrate first Aboriginal Languages Week
Aboriginal communities across NSW are being encouraged to celebrate and showcase and their unique languages this October during the first ever Aboriginal Languages Week. Aboriginal Languages Week will take place annually to coincide with the passing of Aboriginal Languages legislation into law on 24 October 2017. Events and activities will be supported by a new grants program of $250,000 administered by the Aboriginal Languages Trust. NSW Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said NSW is leading the way in recognising the importance of Aboriginal languages through legislation and providing significant funding for their revitalisation.
Download
Return to top
Education
24 July
Walking in two worlds: Young Torres Strait Islander scientist wins national prize
At just 25 years of age, trailblazing Marine Scientist Madeina David has received national recognition for her efforts to connect traditional knowledge and modern science in the northern Australian waters of the Torres Strait. The young scientist from the remote community of Iama was awarded the Gigari MG Excellence in Sea Country Award at the Australian Marine Sciences Association (AMSA) Conference on the Gold Coast on 6 July 2023. AMSA is Australia's peak professional body for marine scientists from all disciplines, and this national award recognises the outstanding contribution or leadership potential of an Indigenous marine scientist, ranger, communicator, or educator to the advancement of marine science.
Download
Return to top
Employment
27 July
WA: New Indigenous trainees set to rehabilitate Ellendale mining lease
A new indigenous trainee program is underway in the West Kimberley, as part of the WA Government's plan to rehabilitate the former Ellendale diamond mining lease, said WA Minister for Mines and Petroleum Bill Johnston. The Bunuba Trainee program, delivered by local Bunuba and Indigenous people, will provide a meaningful employment pathway through an on-country training initiative. The traineeships form part of the State Government's earthworks contract awarded to Buru Rehab, an indigenous business that specialises in mine rehabilitation services across Western Australia.
Download
25 July
CSIRO reveals AI-powered insights to support Indigenous recruitment
Powerful insights to support Indigenous representation in the workforce have been released by CSIRO, Australia's national science agency. The research uses artificial intelligence (AI) powered analytics to identify areas of misalignment between employers seeking to recruit Indigenous talent and the profile of the Indigenous workforce. It draws on big data collated for the Indigenous Jobs Map, a free online platform created by CSIRO to help employers match their recruitment strategies to the career paths of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander job seekers and students.
Download
Return to top
Health
28 July
TAS: New partnership starts in northwest Tasmania
Aboriginal health services in northwest Tasmania have welcomed their first doctor as part of a new placement program enabling doctors-in-training to work across the Tasmanian Health Service (THS) and Aboriginal Health Service (AHS), said the Tasmanian Department of Health. Palawa woman Dr Claire Griffiths began a 13-week placement working part time in emergency medicine at the Mersey Community Hospital and part time in community health services provided by the Aboriginal Health Service Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre. The program is a new partnership between the Department of Health and the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre aimed at enhancing links between the THS and AHS, and providing early career doctors with valuable experience in Aboriginal health.
Download
27 July
Delivering water to remote Northern Territory First Nations communities
The Federal and Northern Territory Governments are investing in two projects to give First Nations communities access to clean, reliable water, announced Minister for the Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek and NT Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water Security, Lauren Moss. Most Australians would be shocked to learn that tens of thousands of First Nations people in remote communities still don't have access to healthy drinking water. That is why the Federal Government is investing $17.5 million with $9.1 million from the Northern Territory in two new projects to start to fix this problem as part of the Federal Government's $150 million fund to close the gap on First Nations water security.
Download
Return to top
Housing
26 July
VIC: Housing support for young First Nations Victorians at risk
Young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders at risk of homelessness are being supported with an Government funded accommodation program designed to assist them to live independently in the community as they transition into adulthood, announced Victorian Minister for Housing Colin Brooks. Victorian Member for Frankston Paul Edbrooke visited the site of Moorrumbina Mongurnallin Village 21 Frankston a $1.7 million development supporting young people aged 18 to 21 at risk of homelessness. Moorrumbina Mongurnallin will be home to six Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people and two live-in mentors.
Download
24 July
DHA statement on Lee Point
Defence Housing Australia (DHA) takes consultation with the Traditional Owners on Lee Point seriously and has undertaken a thorough consultation process on the project, which ultimately led to the project attaining support from the Larrakia Nation. DHA has obtained all necessary approvals, consents, permits and other authorisations as required by law to undertake the Lee Point project. This includes permission under the Northern Territory Aboriginal Sacred Sites Act 1989 and clearance by the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority. In addition to this DHA has been in consultation with the Larrakia Nation Aboriginal Corporation over many years on the project.
Download
Return to top
Justice
28 July
One of Australia's leading family violence experts appointed to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia as Director Family Violence and Indigenous Programs
The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA) (Division 1) and (Division 2) (the Courts) enthusiastically welcome Ms Hayley Foster to continue the Courts' progressive work in risk identification and providing better support to separating families who have been impacted by family violence. The Chief Justice of the Courts, the Hon Will Alstergren AO said that Ms Foster is a recognised leader and authoritative voice on family, domestic, and sexual violence.
Download
26 July
ACT: Aboriginal judge for ACT Supreme Court
Long-time Canberra resident and ACT Magistrate Louise Taylor will be the first Aboriginal Resident Judge of the ACT Supreme Court. In announcing the appointment, ACT Attorney-General Shane Rattenbury said, 'Magistrate Taylor brings to the Supreme Court a wealth of knowledge and expertise, having represented the most vulnerable members of our community in complex matters,' Attorney-General Rattenbury said. 'Having served on the ACT Magistrates Court since 2018, Magistrate Taylor has spent the past five years exhibiting her proficiency in both civil and criminal law matters, displaying a commitment to fairness, impartiality, and open-mindedness.'
Download
VIC: Aboriginal-led family violence service for Bayside Peninsula Area
The Victorian Government is working with Aboriginal communities to deliver a new, Aboriginal-led service in the Bayside Peninsula Area to support Aboriginal people affected by family violence, said Victorian Minister for Prevention of Family Violence Ros Spence and Victorian Minister for Treaty and First Peoples Gabrielle Williams. The new service is fully staffed by an Aboriginal workforce known as 'Journey Walkers' who will provide culturally safe support for Aboriginal families. The service will be a first point of contact, offering counselling, accommodation referrals, behaviour change programs and financial support services. These services will be provided face-to-face, by phone, email and walk-ins and importantly, include outreach support to Aboriginal communities and groups.
Download
Return to top
Land and Native Title
31 July
Celebrating World Ranger Day 2023
'As World Ranger Day is celebrated around the world, the Federal Government is proud to announce we are on track to double the number of Indigenous Rangers by 2030,' said Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney and Minister for Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek. 'Our $1.3 billion Indigenous Ranger Program funding commitment will expand the number of Indigenous rangers from 1,900 to 3,800 by 2030, while supporting more women to become rangers.' For 65,000 years, First Nations people have been custodians and caretakers of Australia's flora and fauna, land, rivers and sea. Indigenous rangers protect nature, maintain connection to Country and culture, while achieving economic participation.
Download
28 July
Establishing 10 new indigenous protected areas
The Government is investing $14.5 million to establish ten new Indigenous Protected Areas (IPAs), to better protect and conserve more of Australia's land and sea, said Minister Plibersek and Minister Burney. IPAs are a proud homegrown success story. IPAs are areas of land and sea Country managed by First Nations groups which also deliver positive environmental outcomes for the benefit of all Australians. They now cover 87 million hectares of Australia's land and over 5 million hectares of sea country which is the majority of Australia's national estate.
Download
27 July
Delivering essential power, water and sewerage to Mutitjulu
The Government is investing $92.8 million to deliver essential services to Mutitjulu, announced Minister Plibersek and Member for Lingiari, Marion Scrymgour. 'Located at the foot of one of our most iconic landscapes in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, this remote community lives without reliable power, water and sewerage services.' The people of Mutitjulu endure an inadequate, unreliable and unsafe power grid, inadequate drinking water supplies, and have a sewerage system that is over capacity and regularly discharges raw sewage near the aged care home and clinic.
Download
No need for Federal duplication of Aboriginal Cultural Heritage protections
Association of Mining & Exploration Companies (AMEC) strongly opposes the extension or duplication of WA's Aboriginal cultural heritage legislation at a Federal level. 'Western Australia's new Aboriginal Cultural Heritage laws are far-reaching and the most demanding of any in Australia,' AMEC CEO Warren Pearce said. The Federal Government committed to delivering new national cultural heritage laws in response to the destruction of the Juukan Gorge, but is yet to clearly articulate how it plans to proceed in this area. Currently, it appears further protections may be included as part of the Government's review of the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation ACT (EPBC).
Download
26 July
NT: Record funding on offer for Aboriginal Ranger Grants
The Northern Territory Government, in partnership with the INPEX-led Ichthys Joint Venture, is providing opportunities for Aboriginal rangers and improving the environment, announced NT Minister for Parks and Rangers, Nicole Manison. There is a $6 million dollar funding pool in Round 7 of the Aboriginal Ranger Grants Program, which opens for applications on July 31st. $4.5 million of the funding comes from the Territory Government's Protecting Country, Creating Jobs commitment, established in 2017 to address under-resourcing of Ranger groups. While $1.5 million will come from the Ichthys Offset program, to support outcomes related to species listed in their Coastal Offset Strategy.
Download
WA: State and Federal Nationals stand united in opposing overbearing Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Laws
The Nationals WA and Federal National Party have taken a stand against the flawed implementation of Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Laws by the WA Government. 'It comes as the Federal Labor Government refuses to rule out enacting similar legislation which would override the 'botched' Cook Labor Government's regime,' WA Leader of the Opposition Shane Love and Federal Leader of the Nationals David Littleproud said. 'WA Labor MPs have admitted they have botched the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act, now, with Federal Labor considering enacting similar legislation, concerns are being raised,' Mr Love said.
Download
Return to top
Reconciliation
28 July
Public statement in support of the Statement from the Heart and for the Voice to Parliament
Australian Quakers consider it is essential that First Peoples have an effective say in laws and policies that affect them. 'We support the full implementation of the Statement from the Heart and we hold that support for the Yes vote for the Voice is a pivotal step toward the Statement's full implementation. Full implementation of the Statement from the Heart will provide the Australian people with an effective mechanism to finally and fully confront the truth of our past and our present and to make way for abiding justice, healing, recovery and repair for Original Australians, and rightful relationships between us all.'
Download
27 July
Governments' inadequate commitment to their Closing the Gap responsibilities is holding back progress on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' wellbeing
Lowitja Institute echoes and welcomes the draft findings of the Productivity Commission's first three-yearly review of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and urges all levels of government to accelerate the implementation of the Agreement's four Priority Reforms. Lowitja Institute CEO Adjunct Professor Janine Mohamed said the draft review report tells us that governments do not adequately understand the urgency or magnitude of what is required to meet their commitments under the National Agreement.
Download
VIC: New First Peoples' Assembly elected to lead the way on Treaty
Victoria's newly elected First Peoples' Assembly has taken its seat in the Parliament of Victoria for the first time, with new members who will negotiate the historic statewide Treaty - giving Victoria's First Peoples true self- determination in matters that affect their communities. After First Nations Victorians voted in record numbers in the second Treaty Elections, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and Victorian Minister for Treaty and First Peoples Gabrielle Williams attended the new Assembly's first meeting on Wurundjeri Country, congratulating members and newly-elected co-Chairs, Ngarra Murray and Rueben Berg.
Download
26 July
'Understanding the Voice' community forum draws full-capacity crowd
Member for Indi Helen Haines welcomed Minister for Indigenous Australians, Linda Burney, and Yes23 Campaign Director, Dean Parkin, in front of a full house at The Cube in Wodonga for the 'Understanding the Voice' community forum. More than 400 people filled the venue, with an additional 500 people joining online. The audience, while mostly from the border region, included people from Wangaratta, Benalla, Mansfield, Violet Town, and the Indigo and Alpine Valleys. Hosted by Dr Haines, the forum was an opportunity for the community to hear information on the Voice to Parliament from Minister Burney and Parkin first-hand and have their questions answered.
Download
Return to top
Transcripts
Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth
30 JUL: Transcript of Interview with David Speers, Insiders
Subjects: JobSeeker increase, Commonwealth Rent Assistance, Safety Net Bill, Consent laws, Sexual assault in universities, Child protection, Voice to Parliament
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
28 JUL: Transcript of Doorstop Interview, Brisbane
Subjects: Housing Australia Future Fund, Rentals, Community housing, Double-dissolution election, AUKUS, Virginia-class submarines, China, Defence procurement, Voice to Parliament
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
28 JUL: Transcript of Interview with Rebecca Levingston, ABC Brisbane
Subjects: Housing Australia Future Fund, Housing affordability, Public housing, Rentals, Cost of living, Olympics, Voice to Parliament, AUSMIN, National security
Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus
28 JUL: Transcript of Speech to the Sir Zelman Cowen Centre, Victoria University, Melbourne - Lawyers As Changemakers
Subjects: Legal academia, Zelman Cowen, Isaac Isaacs, Constitutional reform, Public referendums, Voice to Parliament
Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong
28 JUL: Transcript of Interview with Narelda Jacobs, Ten News
Subjects: Women's World Cup, Gender Equality Symposium, AUSMIN, International relations, Australia-US relationship, Voice to Parliament
VIC: First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria
28 JUL: Transcript of co-chair, Rueben Berg's inaugural speech
Subjects: Traditional Owners of Country, Treaty-making, Independent Treaty umpire, Self-Determination Fund
VIC: First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria
28 JUL: Transcript of co-chair, Ngarra Murray's inaugural speech
Subjects: Aboriginal land, Self-determination, Conversations, Treaty, Activism, Rights
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
26 JUL: Transcript of Press Conference with the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Wellington
Subjects: Relationship between Australia and New Zealand, AUKUS, Voice to Parliament, Pacific region
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Murray Watt
26 JUL: Transcript of Address to the Australian Grains Industry Conference, Melbourne
Subject: Voice of Parliament, Grains industry, Rural economy, Trade, Infrastructure, Biosecurity, Research and development
Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King, NSW Minister for the Hunter Tim Crakanthorp, NSW Minister for Roads John Graham
26 JUL 2023: Transcript of Doorstop Interview, Newcastle
Subjects: Hexham road widening and m1 Raymond terrace project, High-speed rail, Commonwealth funding for Sydney's metro projects, Voice to Parliament
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
25 JUL: Transcript of Interview with Glenn Stolzenhein, Power FM Shoalhaven
Subjects: Milton Rural Landcare Nursery, Infrastructure funding, Voice to Parliament, Ashes, FIFA Women's World Cup
Minister for the Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek
25 JUL: Transcript of Interview with Greg Jennett, ABC Afternoon Briefing
Subjects: Murray-Darling Basin Plan, Plastic recycling, Water supply, Irrigation communities, Fish breeding, Bird breeding, First Nations communities, River system
Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy Jenny McAllister
25 JUL: Transcript of Interview with Greg Jennett, ABC Afternoon Briefing
Subjects: Industrial relations reform, Standing up for casual workers, Voice to Parliament, Commercial refrigeration trial to ease energy pressures
Minister for the Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek
25 JUL: Transcript of Interview with Jules Schiller, ABC Adelaide Drive
Subjects: Murray-Darling Basin Plan, Water infrastructure projects, Water resource plans, Water buybacks, Climate change, River system, International consortiums
Minister for Resources and Northern Australia Madeline King
24 JUL: Transcript of Speech to the Developing Northern Australia Conference, Darwin
Subjects: Northern Australia, Regional development, Agriculture, Social infrastructure, Critical minerals, Defence, Voice to Parliament
Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland
24 JUL: Transcript of Interview with Katie Woolf, Mix 104.9 Darwin
Subjects: First Nations Digital Inclusion Plan, Vocus' new Darwin cable, Submarine cables, Telecommunications faults, Darwin park run
Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland
24 JUL: Transcript of Interview with Hamish MacDonald, ABC RN Breakfast
Subjects: First Nations Digital Inclusion Plan, Improving mobile coverage round, Consultation on the misinformation and disinformation exposure draft
Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Tony Burke
24 JUL: Transcript of Speech to The Sydney Institute, Sydney
Subjects: Workplace relations reforms, Standing up for casual workers, Fear campaigns, Uluru Statement from the Heart, Job insecurity
Leader of the Nationals David Littleproud
24 JUL: Transcript of Interview with Gary Adshead, 6PR
Subjects: Live sheep, Trip to Western Australia, WA Government polling, Electoral matters, Aboriginal cultural heritage laws, Reconciliation
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles
22 JUL: Transcript of Interview with Fauziah Ibrahim, ABC News Weekend Breakfast
Subjects: Commissioning of USS Canberra, Exercise Talisman Sabre, ADF pension issue, Voice to Parliament referendum, Constitutional recognition, Reconciliation
Return to top
Reports
Review of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap
Productivity Commission
Australian governments do not appear to have grasped the nature and scale of change required to accelerate improvements in life outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap. The Productivity Commission's first overarching review of the Agreement highlights the lack of meaningful progress in implementing the four key priority reforms set out by all governments and the Coalition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peak Organisations in 2020.
Download
First Nations Digital Inclusion Plan (2023-26)
National Indigenous Australian Agency (NIAA)
The First Nations Digital Inclusion Plan (the Plan) provides a strategic framework and suite of actions through which Australian Government agencies will work in partnership with First Nations people to improve their digital inclusion through to 2026. It provides strategic guidance and proposes measures to enhance opportunities for First Nations people to access the benefits of participation in the digital world. The Plan recognises that governments have a key role to play but that collaboration with communities, non-government organisations, business and industry is required to develop a secure, sustainable and inclusive digital future for First Nations people.
Download
Migrant and refugee attitudes to an Indigenous Voice to Parliament
AMES Australia
AMES Australia is a leading migrant and refugee settlement agency which supports around 40,000 mostly recently arrived people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds each year across a number of government funded programs. Newly arrived migrants and refugees sometimes find Australian politics, history and culture confusing and difficult to understand. As part of an effort to understand more about the attitudes, aspirations and needs of the organisation's students and clients, AMES Australia has commissioned a series of surveys on prevalent attitudes. This survey is aimed at investigating newly arrived migrants and refugees knowledge of, and attitudes towards, the proposal to create an indigenous Voice to Parliament.
Download
Submission - Inquiry into Current and Proposed Sexual Consent Laws in Australia
Aboriginal Legal Service (ALS)
Download
NSW: Submission - Inquiry into Current and Proposed Sexual Consent Laws in Australia
NSW Aboriginal Women's Advisory Network (AWAN)
Download
TAS: Submission - Inquiry into Current and Proposed Sexual Consent Laws in Australia
Tasmanian Aboriginal Legal Service (TALS)
Download
Return to top
Hansards
Federal
25 JUL 2023: SENATE NOTICE PAPER: Questions on Notice 2293 - 2297 Senator Cash: Ministers Listed Below - 'Yes' pamphlet argues that body will save taxpayers money - How much money does Dept estimate will be saved through establishment of the Voice
Northern Territory
27 JUL 2023: NT ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Question Time - Aboriginal Rangers - Workload
26 JUL 2023: NT ASSEMBLY HANSARD: Question Time - Aboriginal Control - Child and Family Centres
Return to top
Court Cases
Federal
Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community Council v Commonwealth of Australia [2023] FCA 660
20 JUN: Catchwords: Aboriginal and torres strait islander peoples - Class action - Novel claim for interference with use of land
Download
Return to top
New Regulations
None this edition.
Return to top
Proclamations
None this edition.
Return to top
Gazette Notices
None this edition.
Return to top
Consolidated Legislation
None this edition.
Return to top
New Bills
None this edition.
Return to top
New Acts
None this edition.
Return to top
|
|
