Inquiry into racism, hate and violence directed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Inquiry into racism, hate and violence directed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Reconciliation Australia provided a submission to the Parliamentary Inquiry into racism, hate and violence directed at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

It calls for a national commitment to address racism against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through stronger legal and human rights protections, coordinated policy responses, institutional and systems transformation, and robust reporting, response and accountability mechanisms.

The submission reinforces that this work must be undertaken in meaningful partnership with First Nations communities, grounded in principles of self-determination.

It must also go hand-in-hand with sustained work to support constructive and positive race relations.

The submission makes four key recommendations:

  • Full implementation of the National Anti-Racism Framework.
  • Embed UNDRIP principles into Australian laws, policies and institutional practices affective Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
  • Advance a national culture of truth-telling which includes support at federal, state and local levels.
  • Support Reconciliation Action Plans in government departments and agencies as effective frameworks for contributing to Closing the Gap Priority Reform Three: Transforming Government Organisations.

Inquiry into racism, hate and violence directed at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

File Size: 568KB

Search
Paul House with gum leaves and smoke
Paul Girrawah House

Paul Girrawah House has multiple First Nation ancestries from the South-East Canberra region, including the Ngambri-Ngurmal (Walgalu), Pajong (Gundungurra), Wallabollooa (Ngunnawal) and Erambie/Brungle (Wiradyuri) family groups.

Paul acknowledges his diverse First Nation history, he particularly identifies as a descendant of Onyong aka Jindoomang from Weereewaa (Lake George) and Henry ‘Black Harry’ Williams from Namadgi who were both multilingual, essentially Walgalu-Ngunnawal-Wiradjuri speaking warriors and Ngunnawal–Wallaballooa man William Lane aka ‘Billy the Bull’ - Murrjinille.

Paul was born at the old Canberra hospital in the centre of his ancestral country and strongly acknowledges his First Nation matriarch ancestors, in particular his mother Dr Aunty Matilda House-Williams and grandmother, Ms Pearl Simpson-Wedge.

Paul completed a Bachelor of Community Management from Macquarie University, and Graduate Certificate in Wiradjuri Language, Culture and Heritage and Management from CSU.

Paul provided the Welcome to Country for the 47th Opening of Federal Parliament in 2022. Paul is Board Director, Ngambri Local Aboriginal Land Council, Member Indigenous Reference Group, National Museum of Australia and Australian Government Voice Referendum Engagement Group.  

Paul works on country with the ANU, First Nations Portfolio as a Senior Community Engagement Officer

Acknowledgement of Country

Reconciliation Australia acknowledges Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing  connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present. 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples should be aware that this website contains images or names of people who have passed away.

Skip to content
Copy link
Powered by Social Snap