Daily news digest May 16

Indigenous stories today include a groundbreaking study on Indigenous women driving workforce growth, sweeping legislative pushbacks over Northern Territory child protection changes, and ongoing fallout surrounding town camp safety in Alice Springs.

Key Stories

Women Drive 93% of Indigenous Employment Growth:
A major study by researchers from the Australian National University and the University of Queensland found that 93% of First Nations employment growth over the past four decades is due to women. Indigenous women’s job rates more than doubled from 25.4% to 51.3% between 1981 and 2021, spurred by significant gains in mature-age post-secondary education.

Controversy Over Rushed NT Child Protection Laws:
Aboriginal groups and stakeholders have expressed fierce opposition to the fast-tracked changes to the Northern Territory’s child protection system. Critics argue that giving stakeholders only one week to respond to legislation—which makes it easier to place Aboriginal children permanently with non-Indigenous carers—could cause “generations” of harm.

National Commissioner Critiques Child Protection Review:
The National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People, Shahleena Musk, has called for a halt on child protection changes. She stated that the figures chosen to lead the current review—including retired NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb—do not “cut it” for an inquiry centred around the tragic death of five-year-old Alice Springs girl Kumanjayi Little Baby.

AFL Indigenous Participation Fund Slammed:
A newly announced $300,000 Australian Football League (AFL) fund meant to increase First Nations participation has faced immediate criticism from experts. Detractors have labelled the gesture “insulting,” dismissing the amount as equivalent to “executives’ coffee money”.

Community & Cultural Highlights

Language:
Townsville resident Braithen Knox has successfully published Where is the Dark Emu?, a bedtime book written in the traditional Gudjal language. Written to pass the language down to his young sons, the book marks a vital step for a dialect currently held by fewer than 10 fluent speakers.

Diphtheria Outbreak Concerns:
The Central Australian Aboriginal Congress continues to manage a severe diphtheria outbreak in the Northern Territory, warning that First Nations cases make up 98% of the current outbreak.