Daily news digest March 27
Several significant Indigenous news stories are developing across Australia, ranging from legal proceedings to corporate accountability and cultural broadcasts.
Justice & Legal
Missing Teen Search:
NSW Police have issued an urgent appeal for information regarding the whereabouts of Mercedes Ingrey, a teenager missing from Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
Neo-Nazi Trial Commitment:
A Victoria County Court has committed neo-Nazi leader Thomas Sewell and co-accused Nathan Bull to stand trial for an alleged violent attack on Camp Sovereignty, a sacred First Nations site in Melbourne.
Police Video Release Petition:
A petition is circulating calling for the release of police bodycam footage related to the 2021 death of Steven Nixon-McKellar during an arrest, as his family continues to seek transparency.
ASIC NT Expansion:
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) is expanding its presence in the Northern Territory following investigations into banks that placed low-income Indigenous customers into high-fee accounts.
AFL Participation Decline:
The AFL is investigating a concerning decline in the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players in the men’s league, citing the “weight of history” as a potential factor.
SA Electorate Renaming:
Discussions are underway regarding a new name for South Australia’s largest electorate, with calls to potentially honour a significant Indigenous figure.
Culture & Community
Rhoda Roberts Tribute:
National Indigenous Television (NITV) is beginning a week-long tribute and special broadcast to farewell Rhoda Roberts AO, a titan of Indigenous arts and media.
Cyclone Narelle Warnings:
Indigenous communities in Western Australia are on high alert as Cyclone Narelle approaches the coast, with emergency services providing updated warnings for remote regions.
Education Scholarship:
The Leah Armstrong Scholarship was highlighted today for its role in supporting emerging First Nations women in their academic pursuits.
