A year in review: the biggest stories of 2025
In 2025, the narrative for Indigenous Australians was defined by historic steps toward state-level sovereignty countered by a deepening crisis in the national justice system.
1. Historic Victorian Treaty and Apology
In a national first, Victoria formally legislated and commenced its statewide Treaty in late 2025.
The launch included a cultural celebration in Melbourne and a formal apology from the Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan for the “rapid and violent” colonisation of First Nations people.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan at the Treaty smoking ceremony.
2. Record-High Deaths in Custody
National data released in December 2025 revealed that Indigenous deaths in custody reached their highest level in 45 years. First Nations people accounted for 29 per cent of all custody deaths, a situation advocates labeled a “national crisis” requiring urgent political intervention.
3. Fallout from the Cleveland Dodd Inquest
A scathing coronial report into the 2023 death of 16-year-old Cleveland Dodd in a WA youth detention unit (Unit 18) was a major 2025 headline.
The coroner compared the conditions to “19th-century jails” and recommended the urgent closure of the unit.
The coroner compared the conditions to “19th-century jails”
4. High Court Overturns NT Housing Policy
In December 2025, the High Court of Australia struck down a Northern Territory housing policy that had tripled rent in some remote Indigenous communities. This ruling was hailed as a major victory for tenants’ rights in remote areas.
5. Launch of the First National Children’s Commissioner
Sue-Anne Hunter was appointed as the inaugural Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Commissioner. Her role focuses on systemic reform to address the fact that Indigenous children remain nearly 10 times more likely to be in out-of-home care than non-Indigenous children.
The North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency launched a High Court challenge.
6. Blue Banded Bee Dreaming Mining Halt
A billion-dollar gold mine project by Regis Resources remained halted after the Federal government accepted evidence of a “Blue Banded Bee Dreaming” story at the site.
The company’s 2025 legal challenge against this protection order sparked national debate over cultural heritage vs. economic development.
7. Aboriginal Incarceration and Bail Law Challenges
The North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA) launched a High Court challenge against the NT’s tightened bail laws, arguing they are “unconstitutional”.
This comes as Indigenous adult incarceration hit record levels, driven largely by a surge in people held on remand without conviction.
8. Landmark Land Rights and Heritage Listings
The Mithaka cultural landscape in Queensland, featuring what are believed to be Australia’s oldest houses, was added to the National Heritage List in December 2025.
Simultaneously, the Tiwi Islands were officially declared a 700,000-hectare Indigenous Protected Area.
Senator Malarndirri McCarthy continued as Minister for Indigenous Australians.
9. Indigenous Issues in the 2025 Federal Election
The 2025 Federal Election saw First Nations issues largely sidelined by major parties following the 2023 Voice referendum failure.
However, the election resulted in Senator Malarndirri McCarthy continuing as Minister for Indigenous Australians to lead a “reset” of the Closing the Gap agenda.
10. Success in Global Trade and Business
Munda Wines won the inaugural First Nations Exporter Award at the Australian Export Awards. Additionally, the government launched the Australia-UAE First Nations Action Plan, aimed at helping Indigenous businesses benefit from international free trade agreements.
- Tomorrow: Ongoing Injustices
