AHRC Data Breach: For more information and to access support follow this link

Complaints

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice / Indigenous Social Justice

The year our Voice broke: The fallout from the failed referendum

“It’s gone.” That’s what Mick Gooda said to me plaintively half an hour into counting the votes to enshrine a First Nations Voice to parliament in our constitution on October 14, 2023.

I’d started that day – a year ago today – with a high level of optimism that Australia was going to do this, that Australia would get this right, that Australia would make history. How wrong I was. Instead, the failed referendum has left a trail of hurt and confusion for non-Indigenous and Indigenous Australians like me.

Dismantling systemic racism - perspectives from First Nations peoples - Kep Enderby Memorial Lecture 2024

Video Options:

More than 1500 people tuned into the 2024 lecture to learn about ‘Dismantling systemic racism – perspectives from First Nations peoples’.

Systemic racism, in law, policies and service delivery, has serious and ongoing consequences for First Nations peoples, including poor mental and physical health, economic disadvantage, over-incarceration and social exclusion.

CEO of First Nations Collective Marni Tuala delivered the lecture, sharing the findings of extensive consultations with First Nations peoples across Australia about their experiences of racism.

Ending QLD Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry is harmful and divisive

The Queensland Government’s decision to abolish the state’s Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry and repeal its Path to Treaty Act marks a major step backwards for First Nations rights, says Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Katie Kiss.

Dismantling systemic racism – perspectives from First Nations peoples

Content type: Media Release
Published:

Governments must recognise systemic racism and its devastating impacts on Australia’s First Nations peoples and take urgent action to address it, a new report has found.

Race Discrimination Commissioner Giridharan Sivaraman said, “Systemic racism, in law, policies and service delivery, has serious and ongoing consequences, including poor mental and physical health, economic disadvantage, over-incarceration and social exclusion.”

Informing The Agenda Consultations

A woman with curly dark hair, wearing a black top and red earrings, smiles at the camera against a plain light background.

Katie Kiss commenced in the role as the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner on 3 April 2024. To ensure the voices of First Nations people across Australia help form the agenda for the term, the Commissioner is conducting a national listening tour to hear from First Nations people about how we move forward after the Voice Referendum, how to progress and utilise mechanisms to realise our rights, what issues are most urgently in need of attention and what expectations First Nations people have of the Social Justice Commissioner role.

An Anti-Racism Framework: Voices of First Nations Peoples

Date

Artwork courtesy of First Nations Co.

This report serves as a foundational document for the development of a National Anti-Racism Framework.

Drawing from extensive consultations with over 496 contributors from city, remote and rural backgrounds. These voices not only highlight the urgent need for action, but also serve as a clarion call for systemic solutions to eradicate racism. 

The First Nations consultations unveiled a complex and pervasive landscape of challenges faced by First Nations communities. 

NT Government urged not to lower age of criminal responsibility

The National Children’s Commissioner and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Commissioner have urged the Northern Territory Government to reverse its plan next week to introduce a new law to lower the age of criminal responsibility from 12 to ten years.

Informing The Agenda Consultations

Friday 11 October, 2024

Informing the Agenda Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioners Term 2024-2029

Katie Kiss commenced in the role as the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner on 3 April 2024. To ensure the voices of First Nations people across Australia help form the agenda for the term, the Commissioner is conducting a national listening tour to hear from First Nations people about:

NSW a step closer to truth telling

Content type: Media Release
Published:

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Katie Kiss has welcomed the appointment of the NSW Treaty Commissioners announced today. 

 “These appointments are a milestone in the beginning of the truth and treaty process in NSW,” Commissioner Kiss said.  

“I congratulate the NSW Government in taking this crucial step and working with the community towards self-determination and healing.” 

Children's Commissioner welcomes Senate Inquiry into child justice

National Children’s Commissioner Anne Hollonds has welcomed the establishment of a Federal Senate Inquiry into Australia’s child justice system, saying it has come at a critical time to prevent further systemic failures harming children and young people.