New Indigenous body announced

By Angela Dorizas NATIONAL: The independent steering committee responsible for establishing Australia’s new national Indigenous representative body has released the name of the organisation. Chair of the steering committee, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Tom Calma, announced that the body had been named the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples. “Aboriginal and Torres Strait […]

High rate of growth in Indigenous population

Australia’s Indigenous population is projected to exceed 700,000 by 2021, according to the latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population is likely to reach between 713,000 and 721,100 people in 2021. The figures are based on a number of assumptions about future demographic trends including recent […]

Indigenous Australians exercising self-determination for the first time: Calma

By Angela Dorizas Australia’s new representative body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders should be a private company funded by the Federal Government, said Social Justice Commissioner Tom Calma. An independent Indigenous Steering Committee, convened by Commissioner Calma last year, said the proposed national representative body was a radical new approach to Indigenous affairs. “Today is a […]

Indigenous leaders applaud language protection policy

By Angela Dorizas Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Tom Calma has welcomed the introduction of the national Indigenous languages policy and called on the Northern Territory Government to follow suit. Announced by the Federal Minister for Environment, Heritage and the Arts, Peter Garrett, and Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin, the new […]

Qld reconciliation plan hailed as blueprint

By Rachel Borchardt A new “whole of government” reconciliation action plan launched by Queensland’s Bligh Government represents a potential breakthrough that will show the way for other government agencies and provide leadership opportunities for indigenous people. The three-year plan, to run from July 2009 to June 2012, has been developed in consultation with the Queensland […]

COAG report finds widening gap in Indigenous health

By Rob O'Brien An increase in child abuse and a series of ‘unaccepable outcomes’ have been highlighted by a a COAG-commissioned report into Indigenous disadvantage. The fourth Overcoming Indigenous Disadvantage report, released by the Indigenous Affairs Minister, Jenny Macklin, at the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meeting in Darwin today.   The Productivity Commission's report […]

First step in tackling racism

By Adam Coleman With the recent spate of attacks on Indian students in Melbourne and other concerning signs of increased racial tension in Australia, government at all levels is increasingly expected to get on the front foot in creating positive and sustainable relationships between different communities.  Last week the head of WA’s peak multicultural lobby […]

Councils seek formal role in Closing the Gap

By Angela Dorizas West Australian councils have called on Federal and State Government to work with them to close the gap on Indigenous disadvantage. The Local Government Managers Australia WA Division has criticised the Commonwealth and WA Government for failing to consult with local councils and Indigenous communities on strategies to lift economic development, health and remote service delivery. […]

‘World first’ domestic violence legislation

By Angela Dorizas The Nothern Territory Government has introduced legislation that will make it illegal to ignore incidences of domestic violence, but the people responsible for rendering assistance are concerned that it will force victims underground. The landmark legislation, announced by NT Chief Minister Paul Henderson, requires all adults in the Territory to report incidences of […]

Scrymgour quits Northern Territory ministry

By Angela Dorizas Australia’s highest ranking indigenous politician, Northern Territory Deputy chief minister Marion Scrymgour, has quit cabinet due to an underlying health condition. Ms Scrymgour said it was with with regret that she stepped down from her ministerial responsibilities. “I have done so after seeking further medical advice relating to a pre-existing medical condition […]

Dodson named Australian of the Year

By Staff Writer Director of the Australian National University’s National Centre for Indigenous Studies and Chairman of the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, professor Mick Dobson, has been named Australian of the Year 2009. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd presented Professor Dobson with the award at a ceremony on the lawns of […]

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