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Daily news digest April 15

April 15, 2026

Key Indigenous news stories across Australia for today.

Politics & Justice

NT Aboriginal Affairs Framework:
The Northern Territory government released a new framework outlining its Aboriginal affairs priorities for the next three years.

Deaths in Custody Dispute:
Senator Lidia Thorpe has alleged that the Prime Minister refused a meeting with the families of those who have died in custody.

35th Anniversary of RCIADIC:
Open letters and community leaders are calling for urgent reform on the 35th anniversary of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody report, noting 588 deaths since the commission.

Youth Justice Funding Cut:
Murri Watch is set to meet with the Queensland government this month to appeal a decision to pull funding from their Indigenous youth justice service.

Community & Environment

Indigenous Astronomy & Light Pollution:
Advocacy efforts are highlighting how light pollution is obstructing Indigenous astronomy and disrupting cultural knowledge transfer for groups like the Barapa Barapa.

Ancestor Remains on Wadjemup:
A ground-penetrating radar survey will follow the discovery of an ancestor’s remains on Rottnest Island (Wadjemup) to ensure cultural protocols are maintained.

New Leadership in Tasmania:
A Tasmanian Aboriginal corporation has announced the appointment of its inaugural CEO, Callan Morse.

Culture

Skink Species Named:
A newly identified skink species has been revealed, known to Wiimpatja Traditional Owners as Kungaka.

 

 

 

 

Peter Rowe

Peter Rowe leads First Nations News as Editor, with over three decades of experience across international newsrooms, digital platforms and media strategy roles. For the past 20 years, he’s worked in Australia – reporting, editing and advising on stories that shape public debate.