Kirstie Wellauer

Human rights lawyers and Aboriginal leaders lodge a complaint urging the United Nations to address Australia's "discriminatory" and "punitive" youth justice policies.

Nuclear testing in the Australian outback in the 50s left permanent scars on Karina Lester's people. Today Traditional owners across the country oppose the Coalition's nuclear policy, urging Australian's to remember the past.

Stolen from her family, Angelique Wittwer could only return home and reconnect thanks to a compensation payment. But survivors in other states don't have the same opportunity. 

In a landmark case, a judge will today decide whether Australia needs to make deeper emissions cuts to protect its low-lying islands. Two Torres Strait Islanders have sued the federal government for failing to protect their homes from the impacts of climate change. 

Judge Michael Wigney rules the federal government owes no duty of care to Torres Strait Islanders over climate change, but also finds Australia's emissions reductions targets up to 2021 are not based "on the best available science".

After a federal court judge found Torres Strait Islanders will likely become "climate refugees" without urgent action, the two traditional owners at the heart of the case invite the prime minister to their islands to witness the impacts firsthand.

Both Torres Strait Islander peoples and Pacific Islanders have taken their climate battles to the courtroom in recent weeks. Together, they send a message to the world of what stands to be lost if leaders don’t take serious action on climate change. Will Australia heed the warning?

Like their Yolŋu hosts on Gumatj country, the stories, dance and regalia of Navajo, Comanche, Kiowa Sioux, Pueblo and Lakota nations in North America are intertwined with the land and natural environment.

Forty years ago, the federal government used the constitution to halt construction of the Franklin Dam. Now lawyers want the Albanese government to do the same to keep kids out of jails.

There have long been calls from Aboriginal legal scholars and the United Nations for the Federal government to step in to change the youth justice system.