Topic 2 provides you with necessary background information on what is involved in this course. It includes discussion of:
AssignmentTutorOnline
The concept of social justice
Social justice in relation to First Nations’ Peoples in Australia
Key reporting mechanisms for social justice indicators in Australia
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner
Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
At the completion of this Topic, you should be able to:
Define social justice
Describe key social justice concerns and initiatives in relation to First Nations’ Peoples in Australia
Explain how people can monitor social justice outcomes for First Nations’ Peoples in Australia
Readings
Readings
Please click on the ‘Readings’ link in the left hand menu of this course site to access the Reading List
Please make sure you engage with all of the Required Readings and Multimedia Resources for this Topic via the Readings Tab on the left hand navigation panel of our course site. We also recommend that you engage with 1-2 of the Recommended Readings for each Topic. These resources lay an important foundation for your engagement with this Topic and all assessments in the course.
Mini lecture – what is social justice?
Mini lecture – what is social justice?
Listen to the mini lecture below and make summary notes.
Here is the Powerpoint file for the mini lectures. FPSJ Topic 2 What is social justice.pptx FPSJ Topic 2 What is social justice.pptx – Alternative Formats
Social Justice
Social Justice
By this point in your studies, you should be familiar with the term social justice. Broadly, it describes a situation where people are enjoying their fundamental human rights and experiencing equity in a society. A lot of our work in human services and social work settings is about promoting or advocating for social justice. In seeking social justice we acknowledge that different groups within our societies are not equal and, indeed, that some will prosper from, and control, the same social and economic systems that both overtly and covertly devalue, exclude and harm others. While some of us are automatically privileged by the systems, circumstances and environments that govern and shape our collective lives; others are systematically disadvantaged by these things (see for example, Crenshaw 1991; Goodman 2011). In health terms, we know for example that residents in wealthy areas are far less likely to be exposed to negative environmental determinants of health such as forced removal, pollution, violence, racism and overcrowding. Residents in poor neighbourhoods, by contrast, are far more likely to be exposed to these things (see for example, Schulz & Northridge 2004). At the same time we know that unequal societies produce negative outcomes across the full spectrum of advantage and disadvantage: we are all worse off in more unequal societies (see Wilkinson & Pickett 2009).
Importantly, a social justice lens offers a “social model” of disadvantage: one that moves away from blaming individuals for their lot in life toward acknowledging the complex socio-historical and economic factors that shape all of our lives for better and worse. A social justice approach assumes that social and economic disadvantage is not “inherent” to particular individuals and groups because they are “less than” others (as for example ableism, sexism or racism would assume) but, rather, that that disadvantage is due to social, political, economic and cultural choices that are socially reproduced over time (Goodman 2011).
The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP)
In seeking social justice we are often concerned with distributive justice: putting in place formal mechanisms via which those who are disadvantaged within a system may come to take a more equitable place in society and achieve a better quality of life (Miller 1999). Human rights practice and advocacy is one area that is hence often associated with social justice. The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was established in 2007. This document captures fundamental Human Rights as identified and accepted by First Nations’ Peoples collectively at a global level. It took about 25 years to come into creation and saw the involvement of many First Nations’ Peoples from around the world who came together to explore and define what they believed their basic human rights to be. You might be wondering what the difference is between rights for First Nations’ Peoples and non-Indigenous Peoples . Briefly, First Nations’ Peoples globally have had the experience of mass colonisation. This has resulted in the layering over of traditional First Nations’ cultural practices, which continue to exist despite attempts to squash them. This document seeks to acknowledge the pre-existing and co-existing laws, practices and rights of First Nations’ Peoples. Australia was not a signatory on this document and it took a significant amount of time for it to be ratified by Australia. Despite signing on to this document, our government breeches it daily, and the UN provides our government with feedback to this effect each year. So on the one level, this document is very important and Australia being a signatory to it matters, but on the other hand, we must move beyond this to critically evaluate what is actually happening in relation to First Nations’ rights on the ground.
Social justice reporting in Australia
Australia has two annual reports that highlight what is actually going on in terms of social justice and First Australians. These are the Close the Gap Report and the Social Justice and Native Title Report (click on the documents below to open the most recent report/s).
The recently released (March 2021) Report:
(source: www.humanrights.gov.au), (source: www.apo.org.au)
Both of these reports establish that there is much to be done in relation to the rights of First Australians as they table poor reports on incarceration, health and wellbeing. First Nations’ Australians have the highest rate of incarceration of any group that measures incarceration in the world. In Western Australia, the youth incarceration rate is close to 90% First Nations’ Australians, despite the population of WA being only 3% First Nations’ (Aboriginal and Torres Islander Social Justice Commissioner, 2014). The important point to make is that there is no lack of accurate, reliable information on the lives of First Nations’ Australians. Government is well informed about the range of serious issues.
A good starting point in relation to exploring social justice issues for First Australians is to understand that these have historically been defined and controlled by non-Indigenous Australians. Additionally, there is a history of poor results. Issues of suitability, relevance and authenticity remain in regards to focus, action and accountability. Most of what is happening in this realm is still being done by non-Indigenous people to First Nations’ Australians. First Nations’ Peoples have the clearest and most informed understandings regarding the barriers and opportunities for equitable social justice outcomes.
The nature of injustice
The nature of injustice
Attached Files:
FPSJ Topic 2 the nature of injustice.pptx FPSJ Topic 2 the nature of injustice.pptx – Alternative Formats (388.381 KB)
Please review this additional Powerpoint slide which summarises information from Topic 2 course readings on the nature of injustice and some common ways that it is maintained in a society.
Image source: https://www.forwardpress.in/2016/03/what-is-social-injustice/
Current social justice Commissioner
Current social justice Commissioner
June Oscar AO
June Oscar AO is a proud Bunuba woman from the remote town of Fitzroy Crossing in Western Australia’s Kimberley region. She is a strong advocate for Indigenous Australian languages, social justice, women’s issues, and has worked tirelessly to reduce Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).June has held a raft of influential positions including Deputy Director of the Kimberley Land Council, chair of the Kimberley Language Resource Centre and the Kimberley Interpreting Service and Chief Investigator with WA’s Lililwan Project addressing FASD.
Media resources
These media resources will be helpful for your ongoing learning and assessments. If you are a social media user please consider following our current Social Justice Commissioner.
June Oscar AO on Twitter: @June_Oscar
June Oscar AO on Facebook
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice section of Commission website
Previous commissioners
Previous social justice commissioners for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social justice include:
Professor Gillian Triggs: 2016-2017 (Acting)
Robynne Quiggin (Deputy Commissioner): 2016 – 2017
Mr Mick Gooda: 2010-2016
Mr Tom Calma: 2004–2010
Dr William Jonas AM: 1999–2004
Ms Zita Antonios: 1998–1999 (Acting)
Mr Mick Dodson AM: 1993–1998
Activity
Activity
In 2011, Mick Gooda the former Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner in the Australian Human Rights Commission, delivered this inspiring speech at a conference in Fremantle, WA.
https://www.humanrights.gov.au/about/news/speeches/working-towards-social-justice-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-peoples
Please read through the speech and take note of all of the social justice issues that the Social Justice Commissioner raises. You might be surprised by how far reaching these issues are.
Additional Task
Additional Task
Watch Senator Nova Peris’ response to the tabling of the Closing the Gap report in Parliament.
Mini Lecture – Understanding Nova Peris’ response to Close the Gap
Mini Lecture – Understanding Nova Peris’ response to Close the Gap
Listen to the mini lecture below and make summary notes.
Echo Center | Video | Audio | Download PPT File Download PPT File – Alternative Formats
Closing the Gap ‘Refresh’
Closing the Gap ‘Refresh’
As with Nova Peris above, First Peoples leaders and academics have long criticised the approach of the original ‘Closing the Gap’ policy development. This has been largely due to the lack of consultation with First Peoples when determining the original targets. Additionally, it is also the way the targets act to frame First Peoples disadvantage as disproportionately focused on the behaviour of individuals, rather than the structural conditions that influence this disadvantage. Closing the Gap indicators are, by definition, based on comparison. Non-Indigenous Australia is established as the ‘norm’ that First Peoples are failing to meet. In this way, the indicators persistently measure disadvantage (or ‘defecit’) which inturn amplifies the defecit paradigm. Indeed, there is a failure for the targets to integrate at least some understanding of First peoples culture as central to health and wellbeing (Fogart et al., 2018).
More recently, there has been a focus on the influence of systemic racism on First Peoples health outcomes (Bond & Singh, 2019). The failure to measure or account for this in the Closing the Gap report, ensures that racism remains the individual problem of First Peoples as there is no statistical evidence of the systemic racism and inequality in the provision of health services.
Due to a decade of failing to meet the Closing the Gap targets, in 2019 the Australian government proposed a ‘refresh’ of these targets. This refresh includes a process of First Peoples consultation and co-design, via the Coalition of Peaks (a representative body of about 40 First Peoples organisations).
Activity
Activity
Critical Reflection
Read these two opinion pieces written by the Chief Executive Officer of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), and Associate Professor Chelsea Bond.
– Alternative Formats
Closing The Gap RefreshOpinion piece from NACCHO CEO Pat Turner regarding the Closing The Gap Refresh.IndigenousX
These articles offer a First Peoples perspective of the Closing the Gap strategy.
Summary
Summary
You have now completed this topic and should have a good understanding of the following key points:
How the concept of social justice has evolved
The importance of post-colonial and inclusive constructions of social justice
Different ways that social justice is conceived that may or may not be inclusive of all people
Major social justice issues facing First Nations’ Peoples in Australia
Major reporting mechanisms that document Australia’s progress in First Nations’ social justice
Next week’s topic will explore Truth and Conciliation which will give you more background on how we have ended up with the current poor state of social justice for First Nations’ Peoples in Australia.
To go to the next Topic, use the Course Content tab in the left menu.
References
References
Aboriginal and Torres Islander Social Justice Commissioner. (2014). Social justice and native title report. Retrieved from
https://www.humanrights.gov.au/sites/default/files/document/publication/SJNTR%20FINAL.pdf
Bond, C. J., & Singh, D. (2020). More than a refresh required for closing the gap of Indigenous health inequality. The Medical Journal of Australia, 212(5), 198-199.
Fogarty, W., Bulloch, H., McDonnell, S. & Davis, M. (2018). Deficit Discourse and Indigenous Health: How narrative framings of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are reproduced in policy. The Lowitja Institute, Melbourne.
Holland, C. (2014). Close the gap: Progress and priorities report. Retrieved from https://www.humanrights.gov.au/sites/default/files/document/publication/ctg-progress-and-priorities-report.pdf
United Nations. (2007). Declaration on the rights of Indigenous Peoples. Retrieved from
http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unpfii/documents/DRIPS_en.pdf
