A growing number of young Indigenous Australians believe their country is racist and a new report suggests they’re not wrong.
In fact, more than half (54%) of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people say they experienced racism in the past year. That’s a significant jump from 39% back in 2014, according to a new survey released by Reconciliation Australia, a non-profit working to improve relations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
A Surge in Discrimination
From police and employers to taxi drivers and government services, young Indigenous people say racism is showing up in more places than ever. They’ve been subjected to verbal abuse, physical violence, online harassment, and even denied rental properties, just for being who they are.
“It’s disheartening,” said Karen Mundine, CEO of Reconciliation Australia, in an interview with ABC. “But people are also more aware of what racism looks like now, and they’re more willing to report it.”
The Voice Referendum Left a Mark
The findings come just months after the failed 2023 Voice to Parliament referendum, a national vote that would have given Indigenous communities an advisory role in government decision-making.
Among young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 18 to 24, 61% now believe Australia is a racist country. That’s compared to just 41% of the general public.
“They saw the referendum as another example of structural racism,” Mundine said. “Many felt like mainstream Australia didn’t want them to have a voice or be part of the conversation.”
Better Education, Growing Awareness
While the results paint a grim picture, there are signs of hope. Mundine points to an increase in education around Australia’s true history including colonisation, land dispossession, and systemic discrimination, as a reason younger people are becoming more engaged and outspoken.
“Young people today are better informed than ever,” she said. “They know the history, and they want to change the future.”
A Call to Action
Australia’s Race Discrimination Commissioner has already laid out a National Anti-Racism Framework, the most comprehensive plan to tackle racism in the country’s history. Developed with input from communities and backed by the federal government, the framework includes:
• A National Anti-Racism Task Force
• A strategy specifically targeting racism against First Nations people
• Action plans for governments, businesses, and communities
But for real change to happen, the framework needs to move beyond policy papers.
“There’s a role for everyone to play,” Mundine emphasized. “Government, businesses, schools we all need to work together to create a more just and cohesive society.”
Another Death in Police Custody
Tragically, the call for reform comes amid another loss. Just this week, a 24-year-old Aboriginal man with a disability died after being restrained by police in Alice Springs. Officers say he was suspected of shoplifting and had allegedly assaulted a security guard. His death echoes past incidents, including the 2019 shooting of a 19-year-old from the same community. The officer involved in that case was charged with murder but later acquitted.
The Bottom Line
This isn’t just about headlines or hashtags. It’s about real people, young people who are navigating a country that still struggles to reckon with its past.
And as the numbers show, many Indigenous Australians don’t just feel unheard, they feel unwelcome.
If Australia truly wants to move forward, it’s time to listen, learn, and lead with action.
Source: https://sc.mp/kfq7t