Just nowFri 1 Aug 2025 at 1:00am
Calls to sanction NT government over reported abuse in police watch houses
Advocacy group Justice not Jails is demanding urgent intervention aimed at putting an end to the abuse and deaths of Aboriginal people in custody.
It’s shed a light on the conditions detainees are put through at NT police watch houses, particularly the Palmerston Watchhouse, where instances of children as young as 11 being confined under concerning circumstances have been reported.
The group has called for the federal government to withhold funds from the NT Government to “stop the human rights abuses of those arrested and remanded in custody”.
“I am calling on the Commonwealth Government to step in and sanction the NT Government as a matter of urgency,” Justice Not Jails member Natalie Hunter said.
“I would like to see monies redirected to Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations.”
27m agoFri 1 Aug 2025 at 12:33am
Yolŋu stand ‘like a rock against time’
Michael Yunupingu, the grandson of one of Australia’s most respected elders, the Gumatj clan leader, Dr Galarrwuy Yunupingu, who also founded Garma with his brother in 1999, is making the opening address to the festival.
He says he strives to carry forward his family’s legacy of bringing Yolŋu culture and customs into the modern age at what he calls “a pivotal time in history”.
“My vision is to see a place that provides allround support for Yolŋu, in employment, education, health and wellbeing, and cultural laws.
“Our next generation of leaders must step up now and carry on the legacy into a world that is transitioning into a new future, a new era.”
As a Gumatj leader, Michael says he envisions a future where Yolŋu are leaders in sustainable development on their traditional lands and create economic growth on their own terms.
He says his focus over the next few years is to build learning pathways for youth, create “real” regional jobs outside of mining, and expand education pathways.
“We carry a clear vision for our future and lands, one that remains with us for generations even as others move on.
“Our vision stands like a rock against time … we can’t move forward without remembering where we came from.”
Michael Yunupingu at a previous Garma (ABC News: Tim Leslie)44m agoFri 1 Aug 2025 at 12:16amProductivity commissioner says commonwealth should consider pulling funding levers
Selwyn Button, a productivity commissioner, has suggested the federal government consider cutting funding to states not “pulling their weight” to close the gap.
The national agreement on closing the gap sees states and terriroties work with the federal government to meet targets.
But Button says the Commonwealth has levers to pull if states aren’t pulling their weight:
The Commonwealth’s role is pulling funding and policy levers to make sure states and territories are doing their bit and if necessary, looking at what do we need to do to look at reducing funding and that’s part of the national agreement.
The Commonwealth needs to play more of a role to be able to say, ‘OK, if we’re not getting to where we need to be, what do we need to do instead?’ And what are the levers we can pull to make sure people at least are pulling their weight?
Productivity Commissioner Selwyn Button (ABC News: Stephanie Boltje)58m agoFri 1 Aug 2025 at 12:01amAnalysis: Closing the Gap to be a key focus
We can expect to hear a lot about Closing the Gap policy and targets over the next few days at Garma, because frankly things aren’t looking good.
It’s the key policy agreed to by federal, state and territory governments that aims to improve the health, education, employment and social outcomes for Indigenous Australians.
The latest release of data this week shows that nationally, only four out of the 19 targets are on track to be met by the deadline of 2031.
Among the worst performing areas are youth incarceration, children in out-of-home care and suicide rates. The NT is the worst performing jurisdiction.
On these grounds, people know what it’s like to lose loved ones too young, to watch children be locked up, to see family and friends struggle to find work or support themselves financially.
The Yolŋu elders who are hosting this festival have fought for decades for economic empowerment, improved education and opportunity, but there’s anger at governments for not doing their part.
The organisers say “there is sadness” looming over the festival due to community members who have died in the past year — too many and too young.
1h agoThu 31 Jul 2025 at 11:44pm
First Nations model on the importance of Garma
Up and coming model Cindy Rostron is among the many young First Nations achievers from across Arnhem Land taking part in the festival this year.
The youngster has already made a big name for herself in the fashion world, appearing on Vogue shoots and being nominated as a finalist at the 2025 National Indigenous Fashion Awards.
Cindy Rostron has become a prominent First Nations figure since taking up modelling in 2021 (ABC News: Che Chorley)
The Bangardidjan / bangin woman, who’s been making her way to Garma from the Maningrida community since she was a child, tells us the event holds a special place for her and her people.
“Garma means lots to me. My ancestors and their ancestors used to share culture and ceremonies together,” she says.
“Seeing people sharing their culture and doing all the Bunggul [dance] and dancing and singing is good and makes me proud.”
Rostron has engaged in several projects around Australia, most notably fronting the cover of VOGUE Australia in 2022.
1h agoThu 31 Jul 2025 at 11:19pm
What to expect today
It’s the first full day of the Garma festival today and the ceremonial bungul this afternoon.
It’s a display of culture, dance and music that yields incredible pictures.
ABC photographer Che Chorley captured these images during last year’s opening:
Meanwhile conversations will centre on the latest Closing the Gap report and poor outcomes for Indigenous people, with a forum later today focusing on the NT government’s policies.
1h agoThu 31 Jul 2025 at 11:03pmUluru Dialogue chairs say government talking points won’t be ‘lapped up’
Uluru statement drafters and Voice to Parliament backers Pat Anderson and Megan Davis have declared no real progress will come unless governments involve Indigenous people in their decision making.
Their strongly worded statement says Indigenous Australians won’t “lap up” “performative” government talking points.
Closing the Gap isn’t just stagnant … It’s going backwards because the data lags.
Our children are being locked up, our elders are dying and our people are continuing to live in a country where their rights are neglected. Their voices and calls for help are falling on deaf ears.
We are tired of being told, yet again, that there is no progress on Closing the Gap, there is more to do, there is more data to get, there are more bureaucrats to convince, more departments to get on board, more to persuade.
Megan Davis is one of the co-chairs of the Uluru Dialogues (Supplied)
17h agoThu 31 Jul 2025 at 7:53am
Good morning
Hello and welcome to our coverage of the Garma festival from a remote and stunning corner of the country up in north-east Arnhem Land.
My colleague Jordan and I are here at Gulkula, where the next four days of festivities and political discussions will take place, and we will bring you all the action live.
Stay tuned!
(ABC News: Che Chorley)