Commissioner June Oscar welcomes Institute funding

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner June Oscar welcomed the Commonwealth’s funding of the new Wiyi Yani U Thangani Institute for First Nations Gender Justice at the Australian National University.

The Institute is the first of its kind in the world and will bring together First Nations researchers to develop and design initiatives to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and girls.

Commissioner Oscar said: “The Federal Government’s support will enable our Institute to elevate the voices of First Nations women and girls and provide a dedicated space for First Nations research about the issues that matter most to the lives of our people and our communities.” 

Commissioner Oscar, who delivered a speech at the National Press Club today, launched the Institute last week, supported by the former Prime Minister and Chair of the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership Julia Gillard, ANU Chancellor Julie Bishop, and the Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney.

Minister Burney announced the funding package, worth $3 million over four years, together with the Minister for Women, Katy Gallagher, and Minister for Social Services, Amanda Rishworth. 

“I thank Ministers Burney, Gallagher and Rishworth for doing the deep listening for change, and for the Government’s vital contribution, which will enable the Institute itself to do the deep listening that is needed to drive transformational change. I look forward to our ongoing partnership,” Commissioner Oscar said. 

Commissioner Oscar will chair the Institute after her seven-year term as the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner ends next week.

Wiyi Yani U Thangani (Women’s Voices) is a landmark project investigating First Nations gender justice, which Commissioner Oscar undertook with Australian Human Rights Commission. The Institute will provide continuity for that important work. 

Media contact: media@humanrights.gov.au or 0457 281 897