Northern Territory Chief Minister Clare Martin proposes a national 20-year plan to improve Indigenous living standards. This plan is also approved at the COAG (Council of Australian Governments) meeting. Martin denies the accusation by the Prime Minister that the Labor
The Federal Government proposes changes to the Migration Act in order to expand the Pacific Solution. These changes allow for offshore processing of all asylum seekers arriving in Australia by boat. The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission is concerned
The Australian and British Governments reach agreement to return Indigenous remains to Australia from British museums. Many of these remains include body parts and skeletons. They will be re-buried in Australian soil. It is hoped that other countries will follow
Amanda Vanstone loses the Indigenous Affairs portfolio, her job title changing to Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs. Kevin Andrews is named Minister for Indigenous Affairs.
Islamic leaders condemn the circulation of racist text messages in Perth which urge uprisings at Scarborough and Mullaloo beaches following the Sydney riots.
A series of events at Cronulla beach escalates to mob violence. Text messages are sent encouraging locals to rally against people of Middle Eastern background following alleged attacks on lifesavers at the beach. Thousands gather waving Australian flags. Retaliatory violence
The Australian Government establishes a new Indigenous Coordination Centre (ICC) in Dubbo. These ICCs are to replace the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Service (ATSIS).
Research released from the Centre for Independent Studies calls for fundamental changes to Indigenous education. The report claims that remote communities do not offer enough choice for secondary students and that cooperation with other schools should be encouraged to enable
Former AFL footballer Michael Long campaigns for recognition of the plight of Indigenous Australians. Long walked from Melbourne to Canberra in 2004 and encourages all Australians to walk with him in Melbourne in 2005.
Following raids in Sydney the first of eight men charged with conspiring to manufacture explosives appears in court. He is refused bail. The other men are charged and will appear in court in December.