Editorial Opinion

In recent weeks, a slew of reports across different sectors have made for uncomfortable reading, exposing the extent of harmful and pervasive toxic workplace cultures, including allegations of racism, bullying, and sexual harassment.

I've been reading about the rise of fake, random acts of kindness on social media. This phenomenon involves social media influencers staging heart-warming moments or doing kind things for others to gain likes and attention or stand out online. These gestures may seem spontaneous, sweet, and innocent initially, but they are cleverly orchestrated for maximum impact.

Last month, the Senate Inquiry into Murdered First Nations Women and Children wrapped up after two years. It included sixteen hearings and over 80 submissions. The 227-page Inquiry report highlighted ongoing patterns of systemic failures across Australia, noting that First Nations Women and children remain disproportionately affected by violence.

Have Welcomes to Country and Acknowledgements of Country moments overstayed their Welcome? Some newspapers suggest they have. This criticism may have a kernel of truth, and some concerns are worth considering.

At the Garma Festival last fortnight, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced a policy to use renewables and critical minerals to economically empower Aboriginal communities. Critics accused him of performing a sleight of hand, retreating from commitments to the Makarrata Commission and truth-telling by offering this new policy instead.

As the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples on August 9 approaches, I feel deeply connected to this year’s theme, ‘Protecting the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Voluntary Isolation and Initial Contact.’