ANTaR Victoria

11/05/2026

The UN says systemic racial discrimination is funnelling First Nations children into the justice system and is calling for urgent action.

The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination committee raised serious concerns about the impact of racist policing, harsh “Adult Crime Adult Time” laws, solitary confinement in detention, and children being sent to prison as young as 10.

This follows a 2025 UN complaint by human rights experts Professor Megan Davis AC, and Associate Professor Hannah McGlade, supported by the Human Rights Law Centre.

This response from the UN is significant, issuing grave concerns, and strong recommendations for action.

Read more about the UN complaint at the link in bio: https://www.hrlc.org.au/reports/urgent-un-complaint/

11/05/2026

News from the Maribyrnong River and Waterways Association (MRWA - https://maribyrnongriver.org.au/)

04/05/2026

28/04/2026

27/04/2026

Here’s a progress update from the Walk for Truth highlighting the first five powerful days on the road, even as the journey now moves into day nine.

Day 1 Narrm (Melbourne): The walk began with a huge turnout, showing strong community support for the grassroots call for national truth-telling. A powerful and united start.

Day 2 Darebin Creek: A day full of meaning and connection. Special moments included Uncle Bill’s storytelling and a moving performance of Djirri Djirri by the Wurundjeri Women’s Dance Group.

From babies to Elders, including an 82-year-old who travelled from America; people showed up to walk. As Travis shared: truth-telling matters, to those walking, and to those across the country speaking truth every day.

Day 3 — Onto Taungurung Country: A challenging day of hills, heat, and sunscreen in the eyes, but one where the pain faded with purpose. Uncle Bill reminded walkers to take off their shoes and reconnect with Country.

A deeply special ceremony marked the transition, including a message stick handover between two mobs. Taungurung woman Isobel shared a healing song, grounding the day in culture and strength.

Day 4 — Wallan to Broadford: Ahuge 27km stretch on Taungurung Country. Big hills, but even bigger spirit; a day of culture, knowledge, song, and blessings carried every step of the way.

Day 5 — Broadford to Seymour: Another meaningful stretch completed on Taungurung Country. Deep gratitude to Taungurung Traditional Owners for sharing knowledge, culture, and guidance with the walkers.

Five days of truth, connection, and resilience, and this is only the beginning. We’ll continue sharing highlights from the next five days as the journey unfolds.

24/04/2026

Close the Gap on Sovereignty: Indigenous communities could ask the High Court to rule on the fundamental question of sovereignty, after the discovery of a landmark legal rule which upends the belief the court has no power to make a decision.

Research by Melbourne Law School's Olivia Barr has found a 1935 legal rule she says means there is an "open door" for the High Court to get involved in questions of Indigenous sovereignty.

The issue dates back to a 1970s case, Coe v Commonwealth, in which four High Court judges split two-two on the procedural question of whether the court should allow a trial on sovereignty.

The case did not go to trial because the vote was a stalemate, Associate Professor Barr said, and everyone accepted the outcome and the assumption the High Court did not have jurisdiction.

But Associate Professor Barr has uncovered a long-forgotten legal rule in Tasmania v Victoria (1935) that split-court decisions do not create a precedent.

"This means it is as if the Coe case never happened, so it is open to the High Court to agree to hear any case on Aboriginal sovereignty that is put forward," she said.

Australia is the only Commonwealth country that has not signed a national treaty with its Indigenous peoples.

A treaty acknowledges the "sovereignty" of original inhabitants, that is, their authority and power to make decisions about how best to govern aspects of their lives.

Click on link below to read full National Indigenous Times article

https://nit.com.au/23-04-2026/23862/lost-rule-opens-door-to-indigenous-sovereignty

NACCHO Aboriginal Health Australia
Katie Kiss - Social Justice Commissioner
NATSILS - National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services
Marion Scrymgour MP
Thomas Mayo
Senator Malarndirri McCarthy - Northern Territory

24/04/2026

23/04/2026

ANTaR Victoria is seeking urgent support to continue nearly three decades of allyship and advocacy for First Nations justice.

We are seeking a team of volunteers to collaborate on fundraising and campaign delivery. This includes an opportunity for a Volunteer Team Leader (for fundraising) for someone with relevant experience who can help coordinate activities and support other volunteers.

You’ll be part of a small, committed team working together on a meaningful, time-critical campaign to defend Treaty as it is rolled out, especially in the lead-up to the state election in November.

Today, our future is at risk. Without immediate support, we may be forced to scale back our work at a critical time for Treaty and Truth-telling in Victoria.

To respond, we have launched an urgent fundraising appeal — Survive & Thrive: Keep ANTaR Victoria Strong. As part of this effort, we are building a dedicated volunteer team.

Volunteer Roles – Fundraising Campaign Team

Volunteers will work collaboratively with the ANTaR Manager as part of a coordinated fundraising campaign team. Roles can be adapted based on your skills and interests, and volunteers may contribute across multiple areas.

1. Fundraising & Donor Engagement Volunteer Team
Focus: Generating donations and building supporter relationships

Key Tasks:
• Research and identify potential donors (individuals, community groups, organisations)
• Assist with donor outreach via email and phone
• Support preparation of fundraising materials and appeals
• Help track donations and maintain donor records
• Follow up with supporters and assist with donor stewardship activities
• Assist promotion and increasing public engagement – via social media
• Expanding reach through networks and community connections
• Contribute ideas for fundraising strategies and opportunities

This is an opportunity to contribute to meaningful, time-critical work that supports justice, strengthens community engagement, defends Treaty, and helps ensure ANTaR Victoria can continue its role into 2027 and beyond.

We are now focused on supporting Treaty and Truth-telling in Victoria — and we need your help.

How to Apply

Please send a short expression of interest outlining:
• Your interest in the role
• Relevant skills or experience you could contribute
• Your availability
• A Resume

send it to: [email protected]

Applications close: 11:59 PM AEST, 11th May 2026
The team will work until December 2026, with a lot of activity leading into the state election on 28 November 2026
Commitment to Inclusion

ANTaR Victoria welcomes volunteers from diverse backgrounds. Our organisation works to educate non-Indigenous people and to do some of the heavy lifting to support First Nations. We encourage non-Indigenous people committed to allyship to apply, and we strongly support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership in justice and reconciliation.

ANTaR Victoria seeks urgent support to continue 30 years of advocacy for First Nations justice. Join our team to help drive our Survive & Thrive campaign to support Treaty and Truth-telling.

22/04/2026

A powerful article and insight to how First Nations experience daily life in Australia.

Australia has a serious problem with social cohesion, but it’s no good pretending it’s recent. Koori civilisation has been torn asunder ever since the convict ships dropped anchor

22/04/2026

‘Walk for Truth’ — Yorta Yorta Country

As the Walk for Truth enters Yorta Yorta Country, community are invited to be part of an important journey of truth-telling.

Led by Commissioner Travis Lovett, a Kerrupmara Gunditjmara man, the walk carries a message stick and brings people together to listen and better understand the experiences of our people.

Across Yorta Yorta Country, a series of public walks and community events will create space for sharing stories and reflecting on our history.

This journey is part of a broader call for a national truth-telling process, developed in genuine partnership with First Nations Peoples and grounded in truth, healing and justice.

Whether you join a walk, attend an event, or simply take a moment to reflect, you are part of this journey.

Everyone is invited.

Join the Journey
* In 2025, more than 22,000 people joined the walk across Victoria.

* In 2026, the journey continues, starting from the steps of Victorian Parliament and moving together towards Canberra.

This is a shared act of truth, listening and national repair.

“EVERY VOICE MATTERS THIS IS OUR CHANCE TO WALK SIDE BY SIDE AND CALL FOR A NATIONAL COMMITMENT TO TRUTH.”

To register and stay up to date with the journey including meeting locations and times: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/national-walk-for-truth-tickets-1984591691172