Justice
Briefing paper
‘Just terms’, native title and the territories: Commonwealth of Australia v Yunupingu
In March 2025, the High Court of Australia handed down its decision in Commonwealth of Australia v Yunupingu. The case has significant implications for constitutional and native title law. This paper provides an overview of the case and presents its implications. It finds the decision will likely result in additional claims for native title compensation.
Report
Making Queensland Safer (Adult Crime, Adult Time) Amendment Bill 2025
This report details a parliamentary committee review of a Bill proposed to add 20 offences to Queensland's ‘adult crime, adult time’ sentencing scheme. The committee is satisfied that the Bill gives sufficient regard to the rights and liberties of individuals, despite finding that the Bill is not compatible with human rights as defined in the...
Journal article
The promise of justice reinvestment for First Nations children and young people in Australia
This article introduces the concept of justice reinvestment (JR) as defined and applied in Australia by First Nations people, including as a mechanism with potential to reduce over-representation of young First Nations people in the justice system. It draws on specific examples from longer-standing JR initiatives and their implementation of JR elements.
Journal article
Considering the need for congruence in Closing the Gap, target 10: reducing high rates of adult Aboriginal incarceration
This article examines congruence between federal, state and local initiatives to reduce Aboriginal incarceration through the lens of a place-based regional service. The article determines that the multi-level efforts are not intersecting. It recommends improving agreement in communication to increase the likelihood of achieving the desired outcomes of reduced Aboriginal incarceration rates in regional settings.
Briefing paper
Australian gun control: 29 years after Port Arthur
Almost 30 years after the Port Arthur massacre, there are more guns in Australia than ever before, and the National Firearms Agreement (NFA) is falling short of its stated aims. There is no National Firearms Register and minors can use firearms in every state. This paper outlines the status of the NFA and the number...