As the world marks the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, the United Nations’ call for global solidarity on the right to self-determination resonates deeply within the Australian context. Indigenous Australians, whose history of struggle for autonomy and recognition spans generations, continue to fight for the fundamental right to control their own destinies—a right that is increasingly recognized as essential to closing the gap in socio-economic outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
United Nations: A Global Perspective on Self-Determination
The recent statement by UN independent experts underscores the vital role of self-determination in achieving human rights and freedoms… and the right to self-determination, as enshrined in international law, enables Indigenous peoples to “freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development”, which not just a moral imperative but a legal one, obligating states to uphold and promote the realization of this right.
Globally, the failure to respect self-determination has led to dire consequences—discrimination, exploitation and conflict.
Therefore, UN experts highlighted the need for states to protect Indigenous territories and ensure that the voices of Indigenous peoples are central to decision-making processes, especially in areas like natural resource management and sustainable development.
The Australian Context: Self-Determination as a Pathway to Closing the Gap
In Australia, the principle of self-determination is equally critical but despite years of efforts under the “Closing the Gap” framework, many of the targets set to improve health, education and economic outcomes for Indigenous Australians remain unmet. Fore example, latest report shows that out of 19 targets only five are on track to be achieved, which underscores the urgent need for a shift in approach—one that places self-determination at the heart of policy and program development.
Indigenous leaders and organisations across Australia have long argued that policies imposed without their input and control are bound to fail because such policies often do not align with the cultural values, needs and aspirations of Indigenous communities. Self-determination, therefore, is not just a right; it is a practical necessity for the success of initiatives aimed at closing the gap.
Self-determination allows Indigenous Australians to have a say in the decisions that affect their lives, ensuring that programs and policies are culturally appropriate and effective, which enables communities to define and pursue their own development goals, whether in education, healthcare or economic development. Hence, when Indigenous people lead the way, outcomes improve—this has been demonstrated in numerous community-led initiatives across the country.
Moreover, self-determination is closely linked to identity and dignity.
And for many Indigenous Australians, the right to self-determination is a recognition of their sovereignty and a step towards healing from the historical injustices of colonisation, which is a pathway to reclaiming control over land, resources and cultural heritage.
The Way Forward
As Australia reflects on its progress towards closing the gap, the message from the international community is clear: self-determination must be at the forefront of any meaningful change… and the voices of Indigenous Australians need to be heard and respected in all aspects of governance and development.
Only then can the nation hope to address the deep-rooted inequities and move towards a more just and equitable future.
So in the spirit of the UN’s call for solidarity, Australia has an opportunity—and a responsibility—to lead by example, demonstrating that true reconciliation is possible when the rights and voices of Indigenous peoples are fully recognised and embraced.
