Aboriginal legal status and laws
ALTERNATIVE LABELS
Aboriginal Australians legal status and laws
NARROWER TERMS
Report
Indigenous Voice co-design process: an expert analysis of the NIAA public consultations
This report outlines expert analysis of the NIAA public consultations that were undertaken as part of the 2020-2021 Co-design Process for a national and regional/local Indigenous Voice.
Policy report
Leasing reforms on Aboriginal land in the Northern Territory: impacts on land rights and remote community governance
Since 2006, Aboriginal land in the Northern Territory has been subject to a range of land tenure reforms, mostly government-initiated. This paper examines the extensive and varied impacts of three leasing models on the governance of the land rights system and remote communities, and the...
Evaluation
Evaluation of Murri Court: prepared for the Queensland Department of Justice and Attorney-General
This review provides a mainly qualitative sociological approach to receive and analyse stories and perspectives from those who work in or have otherwise experienced Murri Court.
Discussion paper
Indigenous Knowledge consultation paper
In this consultation paper, Intellectual Property (IP) Australia aims to enhance Australia’s IP system to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to benefit from and protect their Indigenous Knowledge.
Strategy
Building back better: Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service COVID-19 recovery plan
This strategy document identifies key issues and makes targeted recommendations across criminal, civil and family law – with the objective of ensuring Aboriginal people are not left behind.
Discussion paper
Indigenous voice: discussion paper
This discussion paper explains the proposals for the Indigenous Voice at the local and regional and national levels, and provides links to further information. It also provides guiding questions on issues that co-design groups are keen to explore further prior to the development of final...
Report
'The answers were there before the white man come in'
This First Nations-led and governed research report voices the experiences and recommendations of First Nations communities and service providers across Australia on family and community violence.
Strategy
Protocols for using First Nations cultural and intellectual property in the arts
This protocol guide spells out clearly the legal, ethical and moral considerations for the use of Indigenous cultural material in arts and cultural projects.
Position paper
Black lives matter: always have, always will
In response to the 'Black Lives Matter' movement, the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services have compiled legal and policy reforms that need to be implemented to advance the cause of true justice in Australia.
Briefing paper
Cultural vandalism: regulated destruction of Aboriginal cultural heritage in New South Wales
Aboriginal people in New South Wales have been trying to strengthen the law that is supposed to protect their cultural heritage since the late 1970s, but reform remains elusive. This paper outlines some reasons why.
Report
Understanding the role of law and culture in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in responding to and preventing family violence
This is an exploratory study that has aimed to bring to light some perspectives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples from the Kimberley, Pilbara, Tiwi Islands, Mornington Peninsula and Darwin on family violence, with an emphasis on the positive role law and culture plays...
Article
Despite 432 Indigenous deaths in custody, no one has ever been convicted. Racist silence and complicity are to blame
Many people on this continent know more about police and prison violence in the US, than the same violence that happens here, so what’s behind the curious silence on First Nations deaths in custody in Australia?
Strategy
Youth Justice Strategic Plan 2020–2030
This strategic plan provides the foundation for a transparent 10-year blueprint for youth Justice, detailing the reform directions, objectives and key actions for the Victorian youth justice system.
Submission
Australia's human rights scorecard: joint NGO submission on behalf of the Australian NGO Coalition
This report was written in collaboration with human rights experts across Australia, and it represents the collective knowledge of Australia’s leading NGOs on the current state of human rights in Australia and will inform the four yearly review of Australia’s human rights record by the...
Article
The government’s ‘new page’ on Indigenous policy is actually just more of the same
Though the federal government emphasises partnerships, accountability and evidence-based policies, Morrison is actually taking a selective and top-down approach. He is also ignoring key Indigenous advice and evidence.
Article
Indigenous people no longer have the legal right to say no to the Adani mine - here’s what it means for equality
Last week, the Queensland government extinguished native title over tracts of land in the Galilee Basin so the Adani coal mine could proceed.
Evaluation
Evaluation of Legal Aid NSW civil law service for Aboriginal communities
This evaluation report provides insights into how a mainstream government service works with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Submission
Recommendations for the Coroner in the case of David Dungay
This submission seeks to bring the Coroner’s attention to key themes for the prevention of cases similar to that of David Dungay, including preventative aspects and accountability mechanisms.
Article
Language and Indigenous disadvantage
This blog provides an overview of aspects of new research relevant to Indigenous people's disadvantage in Australian legal systems presented at the 14th biennial conference of the International Association of Forensic Linguists at RMIT University in Melbourne from 1-5 July 2019.
Article
Indigenous treaties are meaningless without addressing the issue of sovereignty
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s rejection of the 2017 Statement from the Heart, proposing more meaningful national engagement with Indigenous peoples, has accelerated demands for a treaty process across the country. Victoria and the Northern Territory have both moved ahead on this front.
Submission
NAAJA submission: Liquor Bill 2019
This submission to the 2019 Liquor Bill draws on the cultural authority of an Aboriginal board which governs North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA) as an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation.
Submission
AMSANT submission to the Economic Policy Scrutiny Committee: NT Liquor Bill 2019
AMSANT's submission outlines a number of recommendations that can further strengthen the legislation currently before the committe, including the content and wording of the Bill, and broader structural reform that could support implementation of the Bill.
Video
2019 Parliamentary Library National Reconciliation Week lecture
Co-Chair of Reconciliation Australia, Professor Tom Calma AO, is an Aboriginal elder from the Kungarakan tribal group and a member of the Iwaidja tribal group in the Northern Territory. Professor Calma delivered this presentation for the Australian Parliamentary Library National Reconciliation Week lecture.
Journal article
Review of kava use among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of key information on the use of kava among Aboriginal people in Australia. This discussion is focussed on the use of kava in Arnhem Land (Northern Territory) communities because concerns regarding the prevalence and effects of kava use are...
Working paper
Policy implications of the Timber Creek decision
This paper considers the recent ‘landmark’ decision in native title law in Northern Territory v Mr A. Griffiths (deceased) and Lorraine Jones on behalf of the Ngaliwurru and Nungali Peoples [2019] HCA 7.