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Policy & Advocacy

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Through our policy and advocacy work, we have contributed to a range of policy debates in Australia and internationally about topics such as constitutional recognition, governance, justice, mental health, data sovereignty, and research priorities in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing.

We’ve listed our public policy submissions and position statements below, and you can find our reports and policy briefs through our resources page.

To find out more about our policy and advocacy work please contact us. Please also check out our partnerships for the health and wellbeing of Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

Latest news

Read why constitutional recognition matters, and Lowitja Institute's position paper: Vote from the Heart – Lowitja Institute Position Paper on an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice (September 2023)

Media release: 30 August 2023
Lowitja Institute calls on Australians to vote ‘Yes’ to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice

Why constitutional recognition matters
National Health and Climate Strategy consultation submission
Yoorrook Inquiry into Systemic Justice in the Criminal Justice System and the Child Protection System
Jobs and Skills Summit Submission
Lowitja Institute's 2022–23 Federal Budget Response
Submission to Justice and Community Safety Directorate – Australian Capital Territory Government public consultation to inform consideration of the introduction of a right to a healthy environment in the Human Rights Act 2004
Submission - Inquiry into the Application of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Australia
2022 Federal Election Priorities
National Housing and Homelessness Agreement Review – Submission to the Productivity Commission
Knowledge Translation to Research Impact for Empowerment
Submission to Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability
Submission to the Joint Select Committee on Constitutional Recognition relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples (2018)
Submission on the future of Closing the Gap (2018)
NHMRC’s Draft Road Map 3: A Strategic Framework for Improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health through Research (2017)
Submission to the Royal Commission into the Detention of Children in the Northern Territory (2017)
Freedom of speech in Australia (2016)
Royal Commission into Northern Territory juvenile detention (2016)
Public Call – Research Priorities in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health (2016)
Structural Review of NHMRC’s Grant Program (2016)
Medical Research Future Fund (2016)
Statement to the Senate Select Committee on Health (2015)
Submission to the Senate Finance and Public Administration Committee (2015)
Joint statement on racism directed at Adam Goodes "Australia must and can be better than this" (2015)
Proposed closure of Western Australian remote communities (2015)
Recognise Health (2015)
Submission to the Senate Select Committee on Health (2014)
Submission to the Senate Select Committee on Health - Attachment 3 (2014)
Joint Select Committee on Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples (2014)
National Children’s Commissioner Enquiry into intentional self-harm and suicidal behaviour in children (2014)
Racism is killing us: Statement by Pat Anderson AO
Indigenous Jobs and Training Review (2013)
Evaluation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Research (2013)
Institute welcomes launch of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan 2013–2023 (2013)
Strategic Review of Health and Medical Research: The McKeon Review (2013)
Standing Together to Improve Mental Health (2012)
Development of a National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan (2012)
Northern Territory National Emergency Response (2011)