Daily news digest July 18
Major Indigenous news headlines across Australia today focus heavily on systemic justice, child welfare, corporate engagement, and missing persons.
Death in custody:
Outcry grows following the death of an Aboriginal man at a privately run prison in New South Wales. Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe and Indigenous justice advocates are demanding immediate action as adult remand rates hit historic highs.
Incarceration and systemic racism inquiry:
A Federal inquiry into racism against First Nations people has heard damning testimony. Experts described the current legal framework as a “jailing machine” driven by systemic racism, leading to world-leading incarceration rates and deeply impacting health and bilingual education access.
Corporate participation strategy:
Mining giant Santos launched its updated 2030 Indigenous Participation Plan. The corporate framework expands the Barossa Aboriginal Future Fund to prioritise economic development and grant Traditional Owners a genuine voice rather than focusing solely on employment statistics.
Search for Marika Shirley Parker:
Police in Western Australia are requesting urgent assistance to locate a 22-year-old Aboriginal woman missing from South Hedland since 16 July.
Regional
Bateau Bay Family Centre:
An Aboriginal family centre is being planned for Bateau Bay on the NSW Central Coast, backed by Aboriginal community-controlled organisations.
Cancer Support Expansion:
Aboriginal Cancer Care Coordinators have strengthened support in Northern NSW to help First Nations patients navigate care.
Cultural Site Protection:
Recent investigations into environmental flood plain works in Victoria highlighted that regional water authorities and the Victorian government did not adequately consult traditional owners before approving projects.
Department for Child Protection Actions:
More than 20 staff members from the SA Department for Child Protection have been stood down over the past eight months following an ongoing government investigation. The situation has led to the conclusion of the Aboriginal Authority scheme within the state’s child protection framework.
Stolen Generations Compensation Campaign:
Indigenous advocates are pushing the Qld government to deliver Stolen Generations compensation, as the State remains the only state not to offer financial redress.
Funding Allocation:
The Qld Government has provided an additional $27 million in the State Budget to support the Indigenous Councils Funding Program, with 16 councils sharing a total of $74.96 million.
