UN envoy urges Australia to act on 'embarrassing' Indigenous rights record

"The state of protection of Indigenous peoples' rights is a bit embarrassing. "Barume urged the government to introduce legally binding national minimum standards aligned with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, warning that protections currently depend too heavily on state and territory governments.

He said changes in government could reverse existing progress, leaving Indigenous rights vulnerable to political priorities. The envoy also raised concerns over punitive bail and sentencing laws, which he said had contributed to the disproportionate imprisonment of Indigenous children.

First Nations children account for nearly two-thirds of those in youth detention, while Indigenous Australians make up 37% of the country's prison population, compared with 24% in 2009. His preliminary findings also highlighted concerns over racism, violence against Indigenous women, missing and murdered Indigenous people, and the high number of Indigenous children in out-of-home care.

Barume criticised the abandonment of treaty processes in Queensland and the Northern Territory, stressing that fundamental rights should not depend on election outcomes. Despite the concerns, he acknowledged progress in areas including Indigenous-led organisations, ranger programmes, language revitalisation and native title rights.

He called on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to take responsibility for addressing the situation, saying protecting Indigenous rights was in Australia's collective interest. Barume is expected to present his full findings to the UN Human Rights Council in September next year.