The news right now is tough, locally and globally. We’ve got a marine disaster happening on our coast and an agricultural crisis inland. In the cities and towns, we have a cost-of-living squeeze increasingly driven by out-of-control housing costs.
As you’ll see in this newsletter, the housing crisis has completely enveloped the rental system, with affordable rentals all but disappearing from the suburbs of Adelaide. In another area of deep concern to the Don Dunstan Foundation, the justice system continues to fail Aboriginal people, more than three decades after the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody handed down its findings.
In the midst of this, the annual NAIDOC Week has been a reminder of the power of community and culture. Across the country, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their achievements have been celebrated, and the wider community, as always, is invited to join in. As the week continues, you can find local events here.
Celebrating the world’s oldest continuous culture is unique to us in Australia. And it’s important to the future of everyone who lives here, including those new to our shores. Being grateful for the richness that Aboriginal people and cultures bring to all of our lives is one reason why so many Australians continue to push for justice, self-determination, and the rights of Indigenous peoples. As Romlie Mokak said in our recent Lowitja O’Donoghue Oration, love for community and connection is a powerful driver of better policy outcomes.
A few weeks ago, we held our second housing symposium, focusing on renting. It’s a system in deep crisis, as many speakers pointed out. However, it was also gratifying to hear so many people impacted by, or involved in, the housing system talk about their hopes, causes for optimism, and the absolute need for the community to come together to fix this long-term problem.
When times are grim, we need to stick with people who are resolute. You can watch and read about some of these people on our new website.
David Washington
Executive Director
