The year 2020 is the 250th Anniversary of Cooks arrival at Botany Bay in 1770. In a speech about the Encounters 2020 project, Indigenous Affairs Minister Ken Wyatt states “Cook’s arrival and exploration in 1770s is not viewed by all Australians in the same way” and points to the need for a platform for the truth to be told and heard.

On the 6th of June, thousands of Australians gather in state capital cities all over Australia including Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Brisbane to march against Indigenous deaths in custody, the killing of George Floyd and systemic racism.
Reference: The Guardian – George Floyd Protests Australia

A video of an Indigenous teenager being thrown to the ground by a police officer goes viral, sparking outrage.
SBS – Video – Indigenous teen slammed into the ground

The Australian Human Rights Commission released the National Anti-Racism Framework Scoping report. The publication of the report followed an extensive consultation period. The report includes information about what communities and organisations raised in relation to a national anti-racism framework. The report acknowledges the need to centre First Nations experiences. The themes and priorities identified in the report are data, education, cultural safety, media regulation and standards, justice and legal standards.

Australians voted in a national referendum on the proposed Indigenous Voice to Parliament, which aimed to constitutionally enshrine an advisory body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The proposal was rejected, with 60.1% of voters nationally casting a ‘No’ vote, and all six states returning majority ‘No’ outcomes. Analysts attributed the result to factors including mis and disinformation, a lack of bipartisan support, and public uncertainty about constitutional change.  Experiences of racism by Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people were reported across Australia. The outcome marked a pivotal moment in Australia’s reconciliation journey, prompting renewed reflection on how best to recognise and empower First Nations voices in national decision-making.

It has been 50 years since the Whitlam Government enacted the Racial Discrimination Act in 1975. The Act assists Australia to meet its obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of all forms of racial discrimination.

The Act makes racial hatred against the law and provides legal protection against unfair treatment on the basis of race, colour, descent, or national or ethnic origin.

A peace agreement between Israel and Hamas was announced. The agreement included the release of the 20 remaining Israeli hostages as well as the release of 250 Palestinian prisoners and 1,700 detained Gazans. The peace agreement was widely praised, creating an opportunity to restore peace and security and end the ongoing humanitarian crisis.