Oxfam Renews Calls for Truth, Treaty, Justice
Oxfam Australia acknowledges January 26 as one of mourning for First Peoples, reflecting the ongoing impacts of invasion and colonisation that began in 1788 and continue to shape inequities and injustices today. Australia is one of the only countries that hold a national day of celebration on the date of colonisation, which has led to the establishment by First Nations communities of Survival Day, a Day of Mourning, and Invasion Day. Rather than celebration, Oxfam Australia urges all Australians to take the day to reflect, engage, and call for accountability and action from elected officials.
Over the past year, there have been notable steps towards First Nations justice. This included the passage of Treaty in Victoria (a first in Australia) and the Victorian Government's formal apology, a landmark legal ruling for the Gumatj Clan of the Yolgnu people ("Commonwealth v Yunupingu") and a formal apology from the government of Western Australia for the Pinjarra Massacre. These milestones represent important steps towards equity, respect and recognition of First Nations' inherent rights.
Amidst these milestones, we were also reminded how much more there is to be done to realise true justice for First Peoples. The Kumanjayi Walker inquest, Cleveland Dodd inquest and a record level of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander deaths in custody in 2025 reflected the pervasiveness of racism within Australia's justice system, while the neo-Nazi attack on Camp Sovereignty was a shameful demonstration of the forces that continue to seek to divide us.
Oxfam Australia Chief Executive, Jennifer Tierney, said January 26 should prompt truth-telling and justice.
"January 26 is a day of deep reflection and remembrance, rather than celebration. This Invasion Day, we call on all Australians to take time to reflect upon the significance of the day, to attend First Nations-hosted events within their communities, and to push their elected officials to honour their commitments to Treaty, Truth-telling and First Nations justice," said Ms Tierney.
Oxfam Australia stands in solidarity with all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and calls on federal, state and territory leaders to accelerate meaningful voice, truth-telling and Treaty processes. We call on all Australians to mark Jan 26th not with celebration, but with respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by reaffirming their ongoing commitment to First Nations justice in the year ahead.
https://media.oxfam.org.au/2026/01/oxfam-marks-january-26th-with-renewed-calls-for-truth-treaty-and-justice/
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