This report compiles insights from extensive consultations with First Nations communities across Australia to inform a National Anti-Racism Framework. Highlighting the prevalence of systemic racism, the report addresses racism in the education, health, and justice sectors, revealing its impact on social and economic outcomes. Key findings include systemic racism, unconscious bias, the historical impact of colonization, and disproportionate over-policing. The report advocates for targeted legislative reforms, accountability mechanisms, First Nations advisory bodies, standardized Cultural Safety education, and a First Nations-specific workforce strategy. Recommendations emphasize community-led, culturally safe solutions to dismantle racism and promote equity for First Nations peoples.
Authors
Australian Human Rights Commission, First Nations Collective Consulting
- Pages
- 68
- Published in
- Australia
Table of Contents
- List of tables 6
- List of figures 7
- Acknowledgement 8
- Executive Summary 9
- Key Findings 10
- Systemic Racism: 10
- Unconscious Bias: 10
- Historical and Ongoing Impacts of Colonisation: 10
- Over-Policing and Incarceration: 10
- Accountability: 10
- Recommendations 11
- Legislative Reform: 11
- Accountability Mechanisms: 11
- First Nations Advisory Bodies: 11
- Standardised Cultural Safety Education: 11
- Cross-Sector Workforce Strategies: 11
- Standalone First Nations Anti-Racism Framework: 11
- 1 Introduction 13
- 1.1 Context 13
- 1.2 Objectives of the Consultations 14
- 1.3 Scope 15
- 2 Methodology 17
- 2.1 Design and Structure 17
- 2.2 Selection Criteria 19
- 2.2.1 Geographic Diversity: 19
- 2.2.2 Demographic Diversity: 19
- 2.2.3 Sectoral Representation: 19
- 2.2.4 Community Engagement: 19
- 2.3 Data Collection Methods 19
- 2.3.1 In-Person Interviews and Focus Groups: 20
- 2.3.2 Virtual sessions: 20
- 2.3.3 Online Surveys: 20
- 2.3.4 Organisational Written Submissions: 20
- 2.4 Data Collection Principles 20
- 2.4.1 Cultural Safety: 20
- 2.4.2 Five Stones Cultural Framework: 21
- 2.4.3 Trauma-Informed Approach: 21
- 2.4.4 Collective Yarning: 21
- 2.4.5 Engagement with Elders and Communities: 21
- 2.4.6 Confidentiality and Consent: 21
- 2.5 Data Analysis 22
- 2.5.1 Quantitative Data: 22
- 2.5.2 Qualitative Data: 22
- 2.6 Challenges and Limitations 22
- 2.6.1 Geographic Barriers: 22
- 2.6.2 Time Constraints: 22
- 2.6.3 Participant Availability: 22
- 2.6.4 Cultural Safety: 23
- 2.6.5 Intersectionality: 23
- 3 Findings 24
- 3.1 Overview of Consultation 25
- 3.1.1 In-person Participation: 25
- 3.1.2 Virtual Participation: 26
- 3.1.3 Written Submissions: 27
- 3.1.4 Survey Participation: 27
- 3.1.5 Forms of Racism Experienced 32
- 3.2 Findings by Region 33
- 3.2.1 Metropolitan Areas 34
- 3.2.2 Rural Areas 34
- 3.2.3 Remote Areas 35
- 3.3 Sector-Specific Findings 36
- 3.3.1 Education sector 38
- 3.3.2 Health sector 39
- 3.3.3 Justice sector 41
- 4 Thematic Analysis 43
- 4.1 Systemic Racism 43
- 4.1.1 Legislative Framework 44
- 4.1.2 Western legal system 45
- 4.1.3 Sector and service delivery context 45
- 4.2 Unconscious Bias 46
- 4.2.1 Sector and service delivery context 47
- 4.3 History and ongoing impacts of Colonisation 48
- 4.4 Over-Policing and incarceration 49
- 4.5 Accountability 49
- 5 Barriers and Enablers 51
- 5.1 Decision Making 51
- 5.2 Funding 51
- 5.3 Education 52
- 5.3.1 White Privilege 52
- 5.4 Trust 53
- 6 Recommendations 54
- 6.1 Sector-Specific Recommendations 56
- 6.1.1 Education Sector: 56
- 6.1.2 Health Sector: 56
- 6.1.3 Justice Sector: 56
- 6.2 Practical Strategies for Implementing Recommendations 57
- 7 Conclusion 58
- 8 References 60
- Appendix A Case Studies 61
- A.1 Justice 61
- References 62
- A.2 Early Childhood Education 62
- References 63
- A.3 Health Practitioners Professional Practice and Education. 64
- References 65
- Appendix B Close the Gap Campaign Alliance Members 66
