Hate doesn't deserve a big screen!  The One-Nation-endorsed 'A Super Progressive Movie' presents itself as an edgy satire whilst really trafficking in hate.  As the Australian Classification Board describes, "The entire film is full of crude humour, which trivialises the fight for equality and issues, including the rights of minority groups and those facing discrimination, including First Nations people, the LGBTQIA+ community, differently abled people, etc." Screenings previously scheduled at Parliament House have already been cancelled on the grounds that "events held at Australian Parliament House are accepted, among other requirements, of not being likely to cause offence to any part of the Australian community." Workers are entitled to a safe workplace. Hosting this film and the attendant rally of 700+ One Nation supporters will threaten that. Stand up for workers at Village Cinemas, patrons of Crown Casino and the entire affected community that Pauline Hanson's campaign of hate and division will target. Come out to the Refugee Action Collective's rally this Thursday at 5:30pm, Jeff's Shed on Clarendon St (opposite Crown Casino) 

Every Queenslander deserves the right to work or study in a space free from harassment and discrimination. The Respect at Work laws represent a crucial step forward in creating safer, more respectful spaces for all Queenslanders – whether they are at work, university, TAFE or school. These laws were the result of extensive consultation arising from the 2020 Respect@Work Report and the 2022 Building Belonging Report. Passed by Parliament in September 2024 and scheduled to commence from 1 July this year, these reforms have now been delayed. The LNP now claims everyone wants more consultation, but we know this is simply an excuse to delay these important protections without justification. These laws include important new protections against discrimination to ensure workers cannot be sacked for extreme reasons like having fertility treatment to have a child, or because they have been a victim of family and domestic violence. They also introduce a positive duty, requiring employers to proactively prevent discrimination and harassment, rather than only responding after harm has occurred. Queenslanders cannot wait any longer. These laws need to be enacted now.

We want a country that values all people, whether they have been here five years, five generations or five thousand generations. But too often, successive governments have forced their own ideas on how we, as First Nations people, should lead our own lives. Decisions about our health, our education and our homelands keep being taken away from us. Treaty is about putting First Peoples in the driver’s seat so together we can make the decisions that affect our communities, our culture and our Country.  To build momentum for Treaties and truth-telling across the country, now is the time for mob and allies to stand together and show support for a future where our communities can thrive.

We can only be our best and create a future where everyone can thrive when we listen and acknowledge the truth of our past and present. The Yoorrook Justice Commission has led the country’s first formal truth-telling process about the impacts of colonisation for First Peoples, past and present.  And now, everyone is invited to join when Yoorrook Deputy Chair Commissioner Travis Lovett walks from Portland, where colonisation began in Victoria, to Parliament, where we can transform the future. By building a huge display of support as Yoorrook’s Walk for Truth reaches Parliament steps, we can show that Victorians from all walks of life back truth-telling and Treaty. And together, we can make sure the Victorian government is held accountable to listen and act on Yoorrook’s recommendations.

Warlpiri people and supporters are mobilising for justice and for systemic change in response to the horrific death in custody of Kumanjayi White. These immediate demands stem from deep grievances about the conduct of the police investigation so far are an important stepping stone towards justice. Warlpiri leader Ned Hargraves explains the circumstances of Kumanjayi White's death: "The young Warlpiri man who died in police custody in Coles in Alice Springs on Tuesday May 27 is my Jaja (grandson). I am angry and frustrated that yet another one of our young men has lost his life at the hands of the police. We know that he was held down by two police until he lost consciousness and perished. But at the moment we are in the dark about what really happened. It is disgraceful that police are already putting out stories that portray my jaja as a criminal. They are trying to run him down. We demand they stop spreading stories and show some respect. Family representatives need to see all available footage of this incident immediately - both CCTV and body cam so we can understand what happened to my Jaja - but so far they are refusing to grant this. We need an investigation completely independent of police  This young man was living away from his community, in town, in supported accommodation because of his disabilities and he was very vulnerable. He needed support and not to be criminalised because of his disability. What are the police doing using such force on a vulnerable young man in a supermarket? Did they even try to de-escalate? This happened on the 5th anniversary of the death of George Floyd - during Reconciliation Week - but my people have to confront another death in custody. My people are being routinely brutalised by police. We are going into jail in record numbers - men, women and children alike. We are suffering badly under the shadow of the NT Intervention and under a Country Liberal Party government in the NT that is making many racist policies against us - sending more people to jail and threatening our sacred sites. This is making racists more confident to attack us. We have put forward many solutions to improve Warlpiri relations with the justice system that continue to be ignored. The death of my Jaja needs to be a moment when we come together to fight for change. Enough is enough! We need justice!"

We want a country that values all people, whether they have been here five years, five generations or five thousand generations. But too often, successive governments have forced their own ideas on how we, as First Nations people, should lead our own lives. Decisions about our health, our education and our homelands keep being taken away from us. Treaty is about putting First Peoples in the driver’s seat so together we can make the decisions that affect our communities, our culture and our Country.  As we get closer than ever to Treaty in Victoria, now is the time for mob and allies to stand together and show support for a future where our communities can thrive.

We can only be our best and create a future where everyone can thrive when we listen and acknowledge the truth of our past and present. The Yoorrook Justice Commission has led the country’s first formal truth-telling process about the impacts of colonisation for First Peoples, past and present.  And now, everyone is invited to join when Yoorrook Deputy Chair Commissioner Travis Lovett walks from Portland, where colonisation began in Victoria, to Parliament, where we can transform the future.  You can join a leg of the walk in your area, attend a community event, or help create a huge crowd of support at the final destination on Parliament steps. Register your interest and we’ll be in touch to share more about specific walks and community events near you. You can also read more about the Walk for Truth and register for your local event on the Yoorrook Commission website.

Because of government funding changes, many community + disability sector workers never get to stay with one employer long enough to take long service leave. That’s why states and territories throughout Australia are legislating for portable long service leave so workers take their leave entitlements with them between employers.   Northern Territory workers are about to fall behind the rest of the country because of the CLP Government. Sign the petition and stand with Australian Services Union members in calling on the NT Government to save Portable Long Service Leave. 

Why this is important to us  We, the undersigned, strongly endorse the Council’s resolution in 2021 and its pursuit of reconciliation since then. It means a great deal to us that the  Council has listened to the First Nations people when they say that 26th January is a day of mourning that raises memories of stolen children, the hiding of First Nations heritage, and similar trauma within immediate family circles.   What needs to happen  We expect the current Councillors to uphold the Council’s first steps towards paying due respect to the Wadawurrung and Eastern Maar people. These first steps need to be consolidated and expanded upon. In the future, we hope all Shire citizens can continue to learn more about the deep and rich heritage of an ancient culture that has survived and begun to thrive again, enriching the whole community.

Regrettably, the Voice referendum ignited a culture of disrespect and intolerance of First Nations people in Australia. There has been increased racism targeted at First Nations people by those interpreting the referendum result as a rejection of First Nations people. At a local government level, there are ongoing attempts to undermine council’s consideration of First Nations ratepayers, and decisions regarding 26 January. These attempts are fuelled by divisive campaigns and disinformation designed to disrupt elected bodies and council administration. They do not reflect broad community sentiment nor do they promote unity in our communities. We urge councils to resist pressure to reverse evidence-based decisions that promote respect and inclusion. We commend Adelaide Hills Council for their principled decisions and leadership on reconciliation as originally proposed in their Strategic Plan 2020-24: • C1 A community for everyone – that is inclusive, welcoming and accessible • C5 Respect for Aboriginal Culture and values

Statutory Child Protection is in crisis. More children are at risk of harm for longer, more children are being put on orders and in out of home care. Most reports and complaints are not looked at and early intervention opportunities are missed until it is too late requiring more damaging interventions. Foster and Out of Home Care options are minimal with many jurisdictions relying on expensive private providers to house children in motels and offices with limited access to wrap around services, placing the development of children at risk. Our state child protection services are buckling due to not enough staffing and the inability to fill case workers and other positions with adequately trained social workers and psychologists. This problem lies across all jurisdictions and requires sustained national action.

We believe that everyone should have a say in the issues that affect our communities. We know that when we take advice from other people with different perspectives, we can often find better solutions. Australians will all benefit from hearing the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and sharing in First Nations contributions to our national identity.