Daily news digest January 21
Today, January 21, major Indigenous news in Australia focuses on preparations for January 26 (Invasion Day/Survival Day) and local community developments.
Invasion Day and Australia Day Preparations
Protest Restrictions Lifted:
NSW Police Commissioner Lanyon has announced that some protest restrictions in Sydney have been “significantly limited,” allowing planned Invasion Day rallies to proceed through the CBD on January 26. Organisers had previously vowed to defy “inhumane” laws that were rushed through following a major terror incident at Bondi.
Mourning in the Morning:
South Australia will begin its official national day commemorations with a First Nations-led ceremony called Mourning in the Morning at Adelaide’s Elder Park, focusing on truth-telling and cultural continuity.
National Day of Mourning:
A federal national day of mourning for the victims of the recent Bondi terror attack is set for tomorrow (Thursday), but First Nations leaders are urging the State to also respect their own historic day of grief observed since 1938.
Community & Environmental News
Aquaculture Expansion:
A new project has been launched to expand Indigenous aquaculture on one of Australia’s largest islands, aimed at boosting local education and economic opportunities.
Kimberley Fracking Concerns:
The EPA has recommended approval for a fracking project in the Kimberley region despite strong opposition from Traditional Owners in communities like Pandanus Park, who fear pollution of the Fitzroy River.
Cultural Burning Breakthrough:
ABC News has reported that the insurance industry is moving toward a breakthrough that would make it easier to conduct cultural burns, following successes where Indigenous fire methods protected homes during bushfires.
WA Heritage Laws:
The WA Farmers’ Federation is calling for a review of state Aboriginal heritage laws, citing concerns that media outlets could be fined for publishing images of culturally protected sites.
K’gari Dingo Safety Warnings:
Traditional owners on K’gari (formerly Fraser Island) have accused the Queensland Government of ignoring safety warnings for over 25 years. This follows the death of a 19-year-old Canadian woman found on a beach surrounded by dingoes on January 19.
Justice and Legal Affairs
Deaths in Custody Inquiry:
A parliamentary committee has called for an urgent Indigenous-led inquiry into deaths in custody following a five-year high in incarceration rates for First Nations youth in some regions.
