As governments, researchers and environmental organisations collect more information about Country, water, plants, animals and cultural knowledge, an important question is being asked: who should control that data? Indigenous Data Sovereignty (IDSov) is about ensuring First Nations peoples have the right to decide how information connected to their communities, cultures and Countries is collected, used, stored and shared. Many organisations want to work respectfully with Indigenous...

Dr Terri Janke and Laura Curtis With the Copyright Amendment Act 2026 now in force, libraries, archives and collecting institutions are beginning to navigate Australia’s new orphan works scheme and what it means in practice for access to cultural materials. The reforms, which commenced on 2 April 2026, allow certain uses of copyright material where the copyright owner cannot be identified or located, provided a “reasonably diligent search” has been undertaken. Importantly, the Explanatory...

Libraries hold some of the most significant collections of Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) in the country. From manuscripts and artworks to recordings, photographs, and Indigenous data, these collections preserve knowledge that is deeply connected to culture, Country, and community. As libraries digitise more of their holdings and make them accessible online, their responsibilities around cultural safety, lawful access, and Indigenous authority grow more complex. To...