Daily news digest July 13
Indigenous news today centres on child protection in the Territory and racism actions nationwide.
Policy and legal debates
NT child protection laws:
The Northern Territory Children’s Commissioner has resigned in protest over a controversial child protection bill. The bill prioritises children’s safety over their culture, drawing heavy criticism for risking an increase in First Nations child removals. Critics urge that solutions must focus on Indigenous Child Protection: Solutions Over Politics rather than punitive policy shifts.
Systemic racism action:
Former Indigenous affairs minister Ken Wyatt has urged national action to combat systemic racism. This call aligns with an ongoing Federal inquiry examining racism and extremism, which is reviewing structural reform options.
Anti-racism in universities:
Under a new Federal government mandate, Australian universities will be forced to adopt clear definitions regarding racism directed toward Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Community and health
Ear disease risk:
New findings published by Hearing Australia reveal that Indigenous children living in remote communities are twice as likely to contract ear disease compared to those in regional or metropolitan areas. Free assessments are being deployed across remote regions to support early detection.
Education and engineering:
The VIEWS program is celebrating a decade of developing Indigenous engineering pathways. Led by University of Melbourne Associate Professor Joseph West, the initiative provides secondary students with hands-on site visits and links modern engineering to sustainable Indigenous ingenuity.
Regional News
APY Lands death:
South Australian police are investigating the death of a man in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands. The man passed away following a large altercation, with initial indications pointing toward a potential medical episode.
Broome infrastructure:
In Western Australia, a tender has officially opened to construct a permanent, 26-bed sobering-up centre in Broome. The town has been without a dedicated shelter since 2021, and local authorities hope the facility will address high regional rates of alcohol-fuelled issues.
