Is 'sovereignty' a roadblock to a modern-day treaty or treaties between Indigenous peoples and the wider Australian community? In this second issues paper from the Centre's Treaty Project, Sean Brennan, Brenda Gunn and George Williams identify the different ways in which the term sovereignty is used. Domestically, it notes the range of Indigenous voices on...

Papers and webcasts from this conference, held on 10 November 2003, are available online. Speakers included the federal Attorney General, Philip Ruddock; the NSW Police Minister, John Watkins; Jenny Hocking from the National Centre for Australian Studies, Monash University; Senator John Faulkner, leader of the Opposition in the Senate; Devika Hovell, lecturer in law at...

Much of the symbolic and rights aspects of the reconciliation process are being undertaken at the state, local and community level, rather than federally. Yet the commitment of federal government is vital. Without it, argue Sean Brennan, Vanessa Bosnjak and George Williams, the reconciliation process will not encompass the national acknowledgment of Indigenous peoples or...

This submission to the Senate Employment, Workplace Relations and Education Committee in its inquiry into the Termination of Employment Bill 2002 examines the latest government attempt to amend unfair dismissal laws. This Bill is goes beyond changing the rules for small business. Using the Commonwealth's corporations power in addition to its other powers, the Bill...

This is the text of the National Press Club Telstra Australia Day Address delivered on 29 January 2003 by Professor George Williams. It deals with the federal Government's legal response to September 11 and the Bali attack, and in particular the deadlocked ASIO Bill in the federal Parliament. It examines the ASIO Bill in light...