Peter Dutton has committed to further meetings with the government’s Voice advisory body, but is still insisting the Prime Minister must provide concrete answers for how it would work. The Opposition Leader and shadow attorney-general Julian Leeser joined the referendum working group on Thursday. But even before the meeting, Mr Dutton had shut down any … Read more
An acknowledgement of country will not be introduced at Gold Coast City Council meetings this term, with a leading traditional owner saying “our identity feels rejected”. Key points: About 60 per cent of local governments in Queensland conduct an acknowledgement of country at full council meetings The Gold Coast mayor says he’ll consider the practice after … Read more
Greens Senator Lidia Thorpe has slammed the proposed Voice to Parliament as something that could affect the “sovereign status” of Indigenous Australians. The Victorian Senator has been outspoken about the Voice to Parliament in recent weeks and indicated she will vote no if the Albanese government cannot assure her that Indigenous sovereignty will be guaranteed. … Read more
Greens Senator Lidia Thorpe has accused the nation of “dancing on our graves” by celebrating Australia Day as she warned a treaty must deliver dedicated seats in Parliament for First Nations people. Refusing to say whether she will vote ‘Yes’ to constitutional recognition, Senator Thorpe said that only a treaty could address Australia’s dark history … Read more
A major revamp of Australia’s arts, entertainment and cultural sector will put First Nations people at the forefront and ensure more investment in local talent. The new national cultural policy – “Revive” – will be announced on Monday, and is set to bring “drive, direction and vision back” to the $17 billion industry, after a … Read more
David Campbell, host of the morning television show Today Extra, has acknowledged that he may have chosen the wrong guests to discuss the ongoing controversy surrounding the date of Australia Day. Campbell, along with co-host Sylvia Jeffreys and journalists Tom Tilley and Jess Ridley, discussed the topic of January 26 and the proposed Indigenous Voice … Read more
Western Bulldogs star Bailey Smith has come out to call for Australia to “change the f**king date” of Australia Day. Australia Day marks the day the First Fleet hoisted the British flag at Sydney Cove in 1788, which makes it a day of pain for First Nations people as it marks the arrival of European … Read more
A Melbourne council’s mourning ceremony has been interrupted by a group of far-right extremists. Merri-bek City Council, formerly Moreland, was targeted by protesters on Thursday morning who have been described by the city’s mayor as “racist extremists”. “Today we came together with around 70 members of our Merri-bek community for a mourning ceremony and a … Read more
Peter Dutton will have the opportunity to ask for more details of the Voice to parliament when he meets with the group of Indigenous representatives working on the referendum. A spokesman for the Opposition Leader said he had met with Indigenous leaders and was “happy” to attend a future meeting of the working group, after … Read more
This Invasion Day I am as far from Australia as I can get without leaving the country. I am on my land. Wiradjuri land. Ngurrambang, in our language. Here I can stand in the place of my ancestors. With my Miyagan, my family. I can greet my father by saying marang ngarin, good morning. Here … Read more