Torres Strait Islanders say foreign fishing vessels are plundering their waters in unprecedented numbers, further threatening their traditional way of life. Australia’s fisheries authority is also alarmed by the border intrusions and is working to ramp up surveillance. Traditional owners claim more than 50 Chinese-sponsored Papua New Guinean fishing boats have been intensively and illegally…

Torres Strait Islanders say foreign fishing vessels are plundering their waters in unprecedented numbers, further threatening their traditional way of life. Australia’s fisheries authority is also alarmed by the border intrusions and is working to ramp up surveillance. Traditional owners claim more than 50 Chinese-sponsored Papua New Guinean fishing boats have been intensively and illegally…

The Torres Strait Islands are like a tropical paradise to outsiders but for many Aboriginal Australians, it has more in common with a failed state as they struggle to survive amid the soaring cost of living. Indigenous families are being forced to leave their archipelago homes in Queensland’s north because of a lack of affordable housing…

The head of the Australian television network, Channel 10, has discouraged staff from celebrating Jan. 26 as Australia Day, arguing the date marks the beginning of a “turbulent history” for Indigenous people, according to an internal note. Channel 10 is one of five national free-to-air networks and is part of Paramount Australia and New Zealand…

Commentary In November, I was a conference panellist on the topic of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament. Chris Kenny, a host on Sky News Australia, was moderating a panel of Anthony Dillon, Hannah Hollis, Dean Parkin, and myself. The whole conference was a great event, and we also had a great…

The Hobart city council in Australia’s island state of Tasmania has suggested the statue of William Crowther in the city’s Franklin Square be removed, with plans for the partial removal and interpretation project costing $20,000 in total. Crowther was a surgeon, a naturalist, and the first medical practitioner to serve as Tasmanian Premier. However, he…

The Hobart City Council in Australia’s island state of Tasmania is proposing the statue of its first premier, William Crowther, in the city’s Franklin Square be removed—a move estimated to cost the council tens of thousands of dollars. Crowther was a surgeon, naturalist, and the first medical practitioner to serve as Tasmania’s state leader. He…

The Aboriginal flag will have a permanent spot on the Sydney Harbour Bridge, with the NSW state government committing $25 million (US$17.3 million) to install a third flagpole by the end of the year. Flying the Aboriginal flag alongside the Australian and NSW state flags was an important gesture towards “Closing the Gap,” NSW Premier…

The New South Wales (NSW) government has pledged $401 million (US$278 million) over four years towards “Closing the Gap” and other initiatives that try improve the lives of Aboriginal people in NSW. A part of the state budget due to be delivered on June 21, this investment reflects the need for a more inclusive approach…