How to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples benefit from newborn DNA screening

The federal racism inquiry, which traversed the country this week, gathered harrowing accounts of racial discrimination and violence directed at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Testimonies included stories of trauma and loss, highlighting the deep-seated nature of systemic racism in Australia. Committee chair and Labor senator Jana Stewart, a Mutthi Mutthi and Wamba Wamba woman, emphasized that the evidence presented showed "racism is alive and well." She stressed the importance of documenting these experiences for the public record, noting that while many testimonies were distressing, they were not unexpected to First Nations people. The inquiry followed high-profile incidents, including an alleged terror attack on an Invasion Day rally in Perth in January and a violent neo-Nazi assault on Camp Sovereignty in Melbourne last August. Renae Isaacs-Guthridge, a Noongar Yamatji yorga and Curtin University academic, recounted how a homemade bomb reportedly landed at her family’s feet during the Perth rally. Although the device failed to detonate, it was intended as a "mass casualty event," according to police. Ms Isaacs-Guthridge described the lack of public condemnation following the attack, suggesting that the incident was dismissed due to the perceived insignificance of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander gathering. She noted a "distinct pattern of people who said absolutely nothing," implying that the community was not taken seriously. "I believe because we were an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander crowd, there is an underlying hate against us and so we're not taken as seriously. It's just not as important," she stated. This sentiment reflects broader frustrations among First Nations people regarding the muted political and societal responses to racially motivated acts. Senator Ken Wyatt, a former Minister for Indigenous Australians of Noongar, Yamatji and Wongi heritage, called for the national cabinet to treat the inquiry’s findings with the same gravity as the Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion. He argued that similar efforts should be made to address racism against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. "If we're prepared to do that, then we need to put just as much effort and energy into addressing racism that is faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in this country. They are the First Peoples of the nation," he said. Wyatt also criticized the government’s approach post-2023 Voice referendum, stating that the "will of leadership has wavered." He recalled a minister telling him after the referendum’s defeat, "Well, that stops my effectiveness in wanting to reform because that will impact on the election outcome for our government in the future, so we will go softly, softly." His remarks underscored a sense of disillusionment with the political commitment to Indigenous rights. The inquiry also heard from elders and community leaders who expressed concern over the erosion of cultural practices and the increasing hostility toward Indigenous identity. Some compared the current climate to that of three decades ago, citing instances of overt racism and disrespect for traditional ceremonies. The testimony reflected a growing unease about the state of race relations in Australia and the urgent need for meaningful change. As the inquiry continues, the focus remains on ensuring that the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are heard and acted upon. The findings are expected to inform policy decisions aimed at dismantling systemic racism and fostering greater equity and inclusion. The next steps will involve translating these insights into tangible reforms, with a particular emphasis on addressing the historical and ongoing marginalization of Indigenous communities.