Responding to media comments about proposed changes to the race power, ANTaR today urged all political parties to await the Expert Panel’s final Report in January before ruling out particular reform options.

“The Expert Panel has worked tirelessly over the last 12 months to consult broadly with the community and to ensure that its recommendations have community support and are legally sound,” said Jacqueline Phillips, National Director,

Aboriginal peak bodies, community welfare and public health groups from around the country are calling for a new direction in policies affecting Aboriginal Australians based on cooperation, not ‘intervention'.

The groups support new investment in secure jobs for Indigenous Territorians but raise concerns about the proposed extension of a program that withdraws social security payments from parents whose children don't attend school regularly.

ANTaR today welcomes the Government ’s commitment to work in
partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and
organisations to develop a national plan to improve health equality.

Minister for Indigenous Health, Warren Snowdon and Minister for Health
and Ageing, Nicola Roxon announced this morning that the National
Health Leadership Forum (NHLF) is to become the national representative
voice to Governments on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.

Reconciliation Australia and ANTaR are encouraging ‘footy fans’ at this Sunday’s NRL Grand Final to plant a hand to recognise the contributions Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples make in sport—and the broader community.

A sea of 20,000 hands will be used to create the ‘Flag of Unity’, designed by Aboriginal artist Adam Hill, using the colours of the Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Australian flags.

The event will take place between 12noon and 5pm this Sunday, 2 October, in Cathy Freeman Park outside ANZ Stadium as part of pre-NRL Grand Final entertainment.