Daily news digest, May 10
Indigenous news in Australia today highlights significant developments in treaty negotiations, community safety in the Northern Territory, and major cultural events.
Treaty and Policy Developments
Victorian Treaty Assembly Elections:
Following recent elections, the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria is moving forward with its leadership team. However, Opposition Leader Jess Wilson has pledged to repeal the treaty agreement if elected, citing potential taxpayer savings.
Closing the Gap Progress:
Renewed calls have been made for the Federal government to address systemic racial discrimination, particularly as Indigenous children remain roughly 17 to 27 times more likely to be in detention than non-Indigenous children in certain States.
Community and Justice
Alice Springs Housing Crisis:
Town camps in the Northern Territory are under renewed scrutiny. Local renters are reportedly tired of “band-aid” solutions for housing that has fallen into disrepair, with NAAJA urging urgent investment in Aboriginal-controlled housing to improve community safety.
Deaths in Custody:
Data for the 2024-25 period shows that Indigenous deaths in custody reached record highs, prompting calls from Senator Lidia Thorpe, pictured above, to move away from interventionist approaches toward community empowerment.
Outback Arrest Concerns:
In Western Australia, legal concerns have been raised regarding the competency of an elderly woman arrested in the outback after being rescued, highlighting ongoing issues with justice system interactions.
