The Shock And Awe Cycle: How Apathy To Abuse Is Hidden By Blaming Black Communities

Originally published by New Matilda on March 24, 2016 When a report detailing sexual abuse in Queensland communities was released, politicians and journalists gushed with hyperbole. They were employing the same formula, used time and time again, that helps quash discussion of the deeper causes of abuse and ensures it will continue, writes Amy McQuire. […]

The Viral Rise Of Stan Grant: Why Diplomacy Won’t Be Enough For Our People

Originally published on New Matilda on February 26, 2016 Aboriginal activists, thinkers, and writers walk a fine line. Advocate too strongly and you face exclusion, compromise too often and you’ll still end up with nothing. If Stan Grant goes to Canberra avoiding the latter will be his greatest challenge, writes Amy McQuire. Just before Invasion […]

White Lies And Black Lives: Malcolm Turnbull Just Widened The Credibility Gap

Originally published by New Matilda on February 10, 2016 ANALYSIS: There’s a few simple reasons why yet another Close the Gap report chronicles endemic government failure. Amy McQuire explains why governments still don’t get it. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull may not have the arrogance of the man he dethroned – he didn’t, for example, appoint […]

In Canada And Australia, Aboriginal Women Reporting Disappearances Meet Entrenched Police Racism

Originally published by New Matilda on December 15, 2015 With the change of government in Canada, hard questions are being asked about hundreds of ‘missing’ Aboriginal women. As Amy McQuire reports, there are striking similarities between the treatment those women received and a number of cases in Australia. In 1990, Aboriginal woman Muriel Craig Walker […]

Families Of Murdered Aboriginal Children Have Meeting With Attorney-General Delayed By Text

Originally published by New Matilda on November 26, 2015 The move, labelled ‘disrespectful’, has upset the Bowraville families who have already waited a quarter of a century for justice. Amy McQuire reports. The families of three Aboriginal children murdered on a small NSW mission more than two decades ago have again been left disappointed, after […]

The More Things Change: Female Black Lives Don’t Matter. If They Did, Ms Dhu Would Still Be Alive

Originally published by New Matilda on November 24, 2015 As a coronial inquest continues into the death of a young Aboriginal woman in West Australia, Amy McQuire looks back at the warning signs ignored by a nation. In 1982, Aboriginal mother-of-five Nita Blankett was serving a six month sentence for driving offences at Bandyup Women’s […]

Junk Food Journalism: Why Annabel Crabb’s Kitchen Cabinet Is Toxic

Originally published by New Matilda on October 29, 2015 When Crabb breaks bread with the Morrisons and Macklins of the world she helps further marginalise the people being punished by their policies, writes Amy McQuire. ABC journalist Annabel Crabb last night began her sickeningly sweet profile of former Immigration Minister and current Treasurer Scott Morrison […]

Bright Spark, Black Day: The Political Obituary Of The Prime Minister For Indigenous Affairs

Originally published by New Matilda on September 15, 2015 Last night, the Liberals laid to rest our Prime Minister for Indigenous Affairs. Anthony John Abbott – aka Tony Abbott – was said to be a man passionate about the nation’s First Peoples, a politician who was more than happy to give up the cold but […]

Tony Abbott Hails Noel Pearson’s Impact On Cape York School, Which Pearson Has Nothing To Do With

Originally published by New Matilda on August 28, 2015 Prime Minister Tony Abbott unwittingly sang the praises of a celebrated Aboriginal-devised teaching method while on his trip to Bamaga this week, while his government continues to refuse to fund its expansion. In pictures and footage beamed across the country from the tiny Cape York community, […]

On Tour With Tony: A Lapdog Media Dancing Around Black Issues Again

Originally published at New Matilda on August 27, 2015 Parliamentary secretary Alan Tudge seems to be enjoying his taxpayer-funded week in the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area, if his Twitter feed is anything to go by. He is one part of the team accompanying Prime Minister Tony Abbott during his second almost-week-long sojourn in […]