UPDATE: At the 2025 Garma Festival in north-east Arnhem Land, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called for urgent action to address the widening gap between Indigenous Australians and the rest of the population. In a poignant address delivered this weekend, Albanese emphasized education and empowerment as key focuses, moving away from mere symbolism.
Indigenous leader Djawa Yunupingu expressed hope that the Prime Minister would prioritize the needs of young Aboriginal Australians, particularly in light of the recent failure of the Voice referendum. “We need to find a better way,” Yunupingu stated, highlighting the ongoing issues of truth-telling, deaths in custody, and economic stagnation that continue to plague Indigenous communities.
The Yoorrook Justice Commission recently concluded its investigation in Victoria, revealing that First Nations communities have faced crimes against humanity and genocide. However, the federal government’s response has been largely non-existent, raising alarm among Indigenous advocates. In Queensland, the Truth-Telling and Healing Inquiry was abruptly halted late last year, further deepening concerns over governmental commitment.
In the Northern Territory, a newly elected government has sparked fears of a regression to outdated policies. Local representative Yiniya Mark Guyula criticized the administration for its inhumane treatment of Indigenous individuals, noting a troubling rise in imprisonment rates. “You are making costly mistakes, you are not listening,” he warned, addressing NT Aboriginal Affairs Minister Steve Edgington, who attended the festival.
Education Minister Jason Clare has hinted at potential funding cuts to the Northern Territory if current policies persist, insisting, “I want kids in school, not in jail.” However, this statement raises constitutional questions and may serve as mere rhetoric rather than a concrete plan.
The situation is dire. 602 deaths in custody have been recorded, a harrowing statistic brought to light by Independent MP Lidia Thorpe, who carried a message stick adorned with markings representing the lives lost. “If we cannot stop these killings of innocent people, then what are we doing here?” Thorpe implored during her recent address in federal parliament.
Albanese’s proposals to close the gap include funding for clean energy initiatives and mobile TAFE programs for remote Indigenous communities, alongside new economic partnerships. Critics, however, have labeled these efforts as “performative,” questioning the sincerity of the government’s commitment to Indigenous affairs.
As the Garma Festival concluded, many attendees were left asking: What will be the follow-up to these promises? With the nation at a critical juncture, the call for action has never been more urgent.
What happens next remains to be seen, but the pressure is mounting for the government to respond effectively to the needs of Indigenous Australians. As the gap continues to widen, advocates are steadfast in their demands for meaningful change.
