First Nations First

First Nations artists and performers from across the country have joined forces to unpack Australia's history of colonisation in song. It's the first time Jane Harrison's award-winning story 'The Visitors' has been turned into an opera, with hopes it will help foster understanding and reconciliation.

Indigenous "Yes" campaigners have spoken out against what they call the "shameful" October 14 referendum result, which saw 60.69% vote "No" to questions on enshrining in the Constitution an Indigenous Voice to Parliament. They've sent a letter - that hasn't been signed by individuals - criticising misinformation, inadequate support from the federal Opposition, and the media's handling of the campaign.

The prime minister and his government have been criticised over the failed referendum for an Indigenous Voice as parliament resumes. But politicians from both major parties are pledging a renewed focus on closing the Indigenous disadvantage gap.

Voting is now underway in the Indigenous voice to parliament referendum, the first referendum for Australia since 1999. Millions are voting in a referendum for the first time – and campaigners are making their final pitches to convince them to decide on either yes or no.

The 'Yes' movement is gearing up for the final full day of campaigning before Australians cast their votes on the Indigenous voice referendum, with the Prime Minister making a mad dash across the country. Meanwhile the 'No' campaign is quietly confident of success.

Australian election officials have detailed the ground rules for the Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum on Saturday. It comes as opinion polling continues to suggest defeat for the question in Saturday's vote. But with most of the Coalition supporting the No case, one Liberal MP has made a last-minute plea to voters, hoping to convince them to support change.

In 1967 Australia’s most successful referendum saw nine out of ten people vote yes, to count Aboriginal and Torres Strait islanders in the census… and allow the Commonwealth to legislate for them. But on the far west coast of South Australia, communities in Penong and Ceduna bucked the national trend, recording some of the highest no votes in the country. SBS visited the area to see how it has changed in the last half century as the country goes to the polls to recognise First Nations people in the constitution with the Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been focusing on the regions in the lead-up to Saturday's Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum, while the Electoral Commission is urging voters to be respectful at polling booths as tensions are heightened.

As bushfires start burning earlier each year, a winemaker in Tasmania is preparing by asking his local Aboriginal group to do a cultural burn. The vineyard is at Flowerpot, about an hour's drive south of Hobart. Those lighting the fires are caring for country, and themselves as the burns help them connect with ancient knowledge, wisdom, and culture.

Losing a limb through amputation is sometimes described by advocates as the 'hidden' disability. National Amputee Awareness Week puts the experience of amputation in the spotlight.