Three months after its release, the federal government has responded to the Senate Inquiry into Missing and Murdered First Nations Women and Children, saying the findings of the inquiry will "inform a range of work currently underway to address the horrific rates of violence against First Nations women and children".

However, the initial government statement in response to the report made no mention of police—a key recommendation.

The landmark inquiry called for a review of policing practices, as well as a First Nations role at the Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commission and changes to the way the media reports on First Nations deaths.

The government's response came on the same day NT Coroner Elisabeth Armitage said the killings of four Aboriginal women by their partners was part of a "plague" of domestic violence homicides contributing to a "national shame".

Their deaths were described as "truly shocking" by counsel assisting Peggy Dwyer SC in her submission, with at least 83 women having been killed by domestic violence in the Territory since 2000—more than 90 per cent being Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.

The government said the report would help inform the standalone National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Family Safety Plan, to be launched next year, which will be Indigenous-led and provide direction for future policy approaches.

"We acknowledge the women and families who made submissions and appeared before the Committee and thank them for their bravery in coming forward," Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy, said.

"We also acknowledge the frontline services and organisations who appeared before the Committee."

Nationally, First Nations women are seven times more likely to be homicide victims than non-Indigenous women, and of those women, 75 per cent are killed by a current or former partner.

First Nations women are 33 times more likely to be hospitalised due to family and domestic violence than non-Indigenous women.

The report recommended the Australian Press Council "considers and reflects" on evidence from the inquiry, about how the media portrays cases of murdered and disappeared First Nations women and children.

These include consideration of additional Australian Press Council Standards or Advisory Guidelines or amendment of the existing Standards and Advisory Guidelines.

Senator McCarthy said she would be writing to the Australian Press Council to ask that it "carefully review" the recommendation and consider providing clear and tailored guidance on coverage of missing and murdered First Nations women and children.

Referencing her time as a journalist reporting on the Bowraville murders, she said the report "highlights the deep concern among First Nations people that disproportionately little media coverage is given to missing and murdered First Nations women and children".

"To ensure the media is aware of the recommendations of this Inquiry report, I am personally writing to the Australian Press Council," Minister McCarthy said.

"Careful consideration of the needs of families and communities is of paramount importance in media coverage of these cases."

WA youth commissioner, Jacqueline McGowan-Jones, submitted to the inquiry the difference in media attention between a non-Indigenous, and an Indigenous child, disappearing, arguing that for the latter, "the media portrays it in a racist way".

Journalist Amy McQuire submitted the practice of mainstream media reiterating - without question - the information provided by police compromised both the outcomes and the quality of the investigations and outcomes.

Other recommendations in the report include culturally appropriate and nationally significant recognition and remembrance of murdered and disappeared First Nations women and children; the appointment of a First Nations person at the Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commission with responsibility for advocating on behalf of and addressing violence against First Nations women and children; and the development and implementation of a sustainable funding mechanism to provide ongoing support services for First Nations people, including women and children, experiencing domestic, family and sexual violence.

The government statement doesn't mention the recommendation for the attorney general to task the Police Ministers Council to review existing police practices in each jurisdiction, with the goal of "ensuring all interactions with First Nations people are consistent and of a high standard, including standards of cultural awareness and safety".

National Indigenous Times has contacted federal Attorney General Mark Dreyfus for clarification.

Having previously called for policing culture to change while arguing "when our families report that an Aboriginal woman has died or is missing, police responses are often inadequate," chief executive of family violence prevention organisation Djirra, Antoinette Braybrook said "at least 24 per cent" of women supported by Djirra in 2023 had been misidentified by police as perpetrators.

In the statement, the government largely reiterated previous announcements, including $4.4 billion in new funding to address gender-based violence, which has been criticised for not providing enough funding clarity for family violence-specific and Indigenous-specific organisations.

Furthermore, $194 million has been put aside for specific actions and support for the safety of First Nations women and children.

"We are resolute in our commitment to ending the scourge of violence against women and children in every part of the country – whether in our cities, towns, or remote communities," Minister for Women, Katy Gallagher, said.

Minister for Social Services, Amanda Rishworth, said the government was listening to, and working in partnership with, First Nations leaders, to address violence, labelling it "unacceptable," and something which "must end".

"Along with state and territory governments we want to end gender-based violence in one generation for all Australians," she said.

"We've already begun work towards this, including through our first-ever First Nations National Plan. We also are looking at ways that we can ensure Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations are receiving more support to do the work in communities to help address family and domestic violence."