News
National Indigenous Family Violence Prevention forum
The Queensland Centre for Family and Domestic Violence Research, the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies and the Charles Darwin University convened a national forum on Indigenous family violence.
(29 June 2010)
Law and Justice Foundation of New South Wales seeks nominations for the Aboriginal Justice Award
The annual Justice Awards recognise the contributions individuals have made to improving access to justice, particularly for socially and economically disadvantaged people in NSW.
(29 June 2010)
Indigenous Law Centre brief on Indigenous victims of sexual violence
Indigenous Law Centre reports on the first phase of a study on the experiences of Indigenous victims of sexual violence in the criminal justice system.
(26 June 2010)
CMC Review of the June 2010 Queensland Police Service’s Palm Island Review
The Crime and Misconduct Commission has released its report into the Queensland Police Service's investigations into the death in police custody of Mulrunji, on Palm Island in 2004.
(16 June 2010)
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women's health strategy
The Australian Women’s Health Network Talking Circle has released a national health strategy for Indigenous women. It discusses violence as an issue to be dealt with.
(28 May 2010)
Allen Consulting Group evaluation of policing in remote communities
The Allen Consulting Group report on policing in remote communities in the Northern Territory evaluates the community policing initiatives of the NTER.
(21 May 2010)
Review of NSW juvenile justice system
The NSW Government has released a review of the NSW juvenile justice system with its response to the review. The review includes a comprehensive report on effective practices in juvenile justice across Australia and internationally.
(7 May 2010)
Report on remote Aboriginal community policing in the Northern Territory
The North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency and the Central Australian Aboriginal Legal Aid Services have published Aboriginal Communities and the Police’s Taskforce Themis: Case studies in remote Aboriginal community policing in the Northern Territory.
(23 April 2010)
NSW Victims Services hotline
The NSW Government has established a confidential enquiry line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are victims of crime.
(23 April 2010)
Australian Government youth strategy
The Australian Government has released its national strategy for young Australians.
(22 April 2010)
Report on Indigenous perpetrators of violence
A new Australian Institute of Criminology report investigates the occurrence and characteristics of violent offending among Indigenous people.
(8 April 2010)
New tribal justice website
The US Department of Justice has launched a one-stop shop for tribal communities, developed to provide a user-friendly, updated and comprehensive resource for American Indian and Alaska Native tribal communities to help further improve public safety.
(7 April 2010)
Nominations open for the Victorian Indigenous Community Justice Awards
The Indigenous Community Justice Awards are a positive tribute to the achievements of the many individuals and groups who develop and deliver programs and projects, volunteer long-hours, and whose persistence and passion has achieved improved justice outcomes for local Koori communities.
(15 March 2010)
Sentencing Council reports on Sentencing Aboriginal Offenders in New South Wales
This report provides a comprehensive review of the development of the current common law principles in relation to sentencing Aboriginal offenders against a backdrop of increasing rates of imprisonment of Aboriginal offenders in NSW.
(February 2010)
Australian Institute of Criminology report on police diversion and Indigenous over-representation
Indigenous overrepresentation in the justice system is a challenge facing Australian society. It has recently been suggested that increased use of diversionary processes could reduce this overrepresentation.
(March 2010)
The "standard Indigenous question" and victims of sexual assault
This article argues that nationwide changes to the way in which the Indigenous status of victims is recorded would have a significant impact on the quality of research and policy development concerning the specific experience of Indigenous victims.
(March 2010)
Reducing Indigenous reimprisonment could save $10 million
Reducing the Indigenous re-imprisonment rate by 10% would save more than $10 million per year, says a report from BOCSAR.
(December 2009)
Framework for measuring wellbeing of Indigenous peoples
The Australian Bureau of Statistics has released a web-based publication on a framework to map statistical information about Indigenous peoples and their relationships with their social and physical environments. ABS welcomes comment on the framework.
(10 March 2010)
Alternative and Improved Responses to Domestic and Family Violence in Queensland Indigenous Communities
Tabled in Queensland Parliament on Tuesday this week
(5 March 2010)
Indigenous Law Centre Open Forum: Bush Law 17 March 2010
The Indigenous Law Centre at UNSW will screen BUSH LAW on 17 March. BUSH LAW is a new documentary which explores the relationship between existing systems of traditional Aboriginal law and the Australian criminal justice system:
(5 March 2010)
Te Hurihanga Pilot: Evaluation Report
Te Hurihanga (The Turning Point) is a Ministry of Justice response to the problem of youth offending. This evaluation report provides the Ministry of Justice with findings from a two-year evaluation that began late June 2007 and was completed in July 2009.
(1 March 2010)
Breaking the Cycle: Tasmanian Corrections Plan for 2010-2020
In 2009 the Minister for Corrections and Consumer Protection announced the development of a strategic vision for corrections in Tasmania. A Discussion Paper has been released in order to give Tasmanians the opportunity to have a say in the development of the Breaking the Cycle Plan. Submissions in response to the Discussion Paper must be received by 5 March 2010.
(1 March 2010)
Open forum on traditional law and the criminal justice system, Sydney, 17 March 2010
The Indigenous Law Centre at the University of New South Wales is hosting a forum for the release of the documentary Bush law, which explores the links between traditional law and the criminal justice system in reducing violence crime in remote communities
(24 February 2010)
Evaluating the Children's Koori Court of Victoria - seminar, 15 March 2010
Professor Allan Borowski presents a seminar on the review of the court, Australian Institute of Criminology, 15 March at 12 noon.
(5 February 2010)
Indigenous justice current awareness alert
The latest monthly current awareness alert in Indigenous justice has been added to the Australian Institute of Criminology website.
(5 February 2010)
2009 Social Justice Report
Social Justice Commissioner Tom Calma has released his final Social justice report, calling for the reinvestment of money currently spent on corrections into community based and managed projects
(25 January 2010)
Additional Services For A Safer Alice Springs
The Northern Territory government has announced that people at risk from alcohol abuse will receive intensive support through a new Safe and Sober Program under the $150 million Alice Springs Transformation Plan
(22 January 2010)
Indigenous Law Bulletin
The most recent edition of the Indigenous Law Bulletin has a special focus on the criminal justice system. It includes articles on the death of Mr Ward, Indigenous young people in Queensland youth detention centres, and the needs of Aboriginal women post-prison
(22 January 2010)
Review of youth justice in Western Australia
The Commissioner for Children and Young People WA has released a report by Dr Harry Blagg on young people in the WA criminal justice system.
(18 December 2009)
Emergency Response redesign consultations
The Australian Government has released a report on consultations on the redesign of the NTER. A report on the consultation process has also been released.
Read the report on the process...
(30 November 2009)
Parliamentary Inquiry into Indigenous juveniles and young adults in the criminal justice system
The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs is calling for submissions to a new inquiry into the high level of involvement of Indigenous juveniles and young adults in the criminal justice system. Submissions are due by 22 December 2009
(30 November 2009)
Ministers agree to action on Indigenous community safety
The Commonwealth Government hosted a roundtable on Indigenous community safety for State and Territory Attorneys-General, Indigenous Affairs Ministers, Police Ministers and Commissioners and Indigenous professionals working in the field
(6 November 2009)
National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children: implementing the first three-year action plan 2009-2012
The Implementation Plan outlines how all governments, the non-government sector and the broader community will take forward the actions identified in the National Framework's first three-year action plan, and how the progress of these actions will be measured.
(9 November 2009)
Indigenous crime prevention programs win awards
Four Indigenous justice initiatives have been recognised at the Australian Crime and Violence Prevention Awards in 2009. The Fitzroy Crossing Liquor Restriction Enforcement, the Cross Border Project in the NPY Lands and Queensland's Coordinated Response to Young People at Risk and Barambah Community Support Project have all been acknowledged for their efforts to reduce crime and violence
(6 November 2009)
Closing the gap clearinghouse
A Clearinghouse for evidence-based research on overcoming disadvantage for Indigenous Australians in the six target areas in health, education and employment.
(02 November 2009)
National Indigenous social survey released
The Australian Bureau of Statistics has released summary results of the 2008 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey. Data cubes are also available.
(30 October 2009)
Northern Territory Alcohol Court reform
The NT Government has released a discussion paper and is calling for submissions on reforms to the NT Alcohol Court. Submissions close on 27 November 2009.
(29 October 2009)
Indicators of the health of Australian prisoners
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has released the a report on indicators to be used in a national statistical collection on the health of Australian prisoners.
(29 October 2009)
What works to keep young Indigenous people strong on release from detention?
The National Justice CEOs group report recommendations for designing programs for post-release success, based on an audit of existing programs, discussions in focus groups and research.
(26 October 2009)
Why are Indigenous imprisonment rates rising?
The New South Wales Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research has released a paper examining remand, sentencing and offending, concluding that most of the increase is due to increased severity in the criminal justice system’s treatment of Indigenous offenders.
(7 October 2009)
Indigenous Young People Crime and Justice conference
Papers and audio recordings from the Indigenous Young People Crime and Justice conference, held in Parramatta from 31 August - 1 September 2009 are now available
(21 September 2009)
Indigenous Justice Clearinghouse year in review
The report of the clearinghouse for 1 July 2008 to 31 June 2009 has been presented to the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General and the National Justice CEOs Group.
(26 August 2009)
NEW Indigenous justice clearinghouse resources
We are pleased to launch a new series on the clearinghouse. Current initiatives will highlight existing and new practices and programs that show promise in Indigenous justice.
(21 August 2009)
Helping Aboriginal defendants through MERIT
The NSW Auditor-General's Ofice has released a report calling for better access for Aboriginal defendants to the MERIT drug diversion program.
(5 August 2009)
Black and white together: a time for hope, a time for change. 2009 National Indigenous Legal Conference
The 4th National Indigenous Legal Conference will be held in Adelaide, 24-25 September 2009. The Conference will canvass topical issues that have a major impact on Indigenous people in Australia and provide a forum for discussing potential long term sustainable strategies to address Indigenous disadvantage in the legal domain.
(3 August 2009)
Indigenous housing indicators report released
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has released its 3rd report on Indigenous housing indicators, covering 2007-08.
(30 July 2009)
Fitzroy Crossing alcohol restriction evaluation
The WA Drug and Alcohol Office has released the final report on the 12 month evaluation of liquor restrictions in the Fitzroy Valley.
(29 July 2009)
Queensland family violence strategy
The Queensland Government has For our sons and daughters: a Queensland Government strategy to reduce domestic and family violence 2009-2014.
(17 July 2009)
Indigenous population projections 2006-31
The Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research at ANU has developed Indigenous population projections for the next 25 years.
(14 July 2009)
State-wide Reference Group meets in Brisbane
The Queensland State-wide Community Justice Reference Group (SWRG) met in Brisbane on 26-27 May 2009 to discuss a range of issues and justice areas currently impacting Indigenous people.
Issues discussed at the meeting included child protection, alcohol management, justice of the peace, the magistrate’s court, criminal history checks, cultural protocols, the National Indigenous Law and Justice Framework and restorative justice. Each issue was then assigned to a community or government agency to progress and report on at the next SWRG meeting in late 2009.
The Queensland Government’s Department of Justice and Attorney-General (JAG) established the SWRG following recommendations contained in Professor Cunneen’s Evaluation of the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Justice Agreement in 2005. The SWRG is a representative body comprised of 16 members elected by Community Justice Groups across Queensland.
(6 July 2009)
For further information about the SWRG contact JAG on 07 3109 9185.
Policing substance abuse in Indigenous communities
This report from the Australian Institute of Criminology reports from a workshop designed to highlight good practice from New South Wales and Victoria.
(3 July 2009)
Overcoming Indigenous disadvantage: key indicators
This report includes chapters on family and community violence, and imprisonment and juvenile detention, as well as a range of other measures of Indigenous disadvantage.
(2 July 2009)
Indigenous young people, crime and justice conference, 31 August-1 September 2009
Aims to identify and share the research and practice most relevant to addressing the problem of overrepresentation of Indigenous young people at all stages of the criminal justice system.
To register or submit a paper...
(26 June 2009)
NIDAC report on Indigenous prisoners
An important paper on Indigenous prisoners and health issues from the National Indigenous Drugs and Alcohol Committee.
(25 June 2009)
Senate Select Committee on Men's Health
The Senate Select Committee on Men's Health includes a statistics and a chapter on Indigenous men’s health.
(29 May 2009)
Social justice report
The Australian Human Rights Commission has released the 2008 Social justice report. This year the rpoert focuses on human rights protections for Indigenous peoples, remote Indigenous education, Indigenous healing and progress on achieving health equality by 2030.
(28 May 2009)
Protecting Children is Everyone's Business
The Protecting children report identified significant over-representation of Indigenous children in child abuse and neglect substantiations. It outlines plans at all levels of government to support families and children into the future.
(30 Apr 2009)
Time for Action to Reduce Violence against Women and Children
The Australian Government has released the report of the National Council to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children. a plan providing clear directions to enable women to live free of violence, in respectful relationships and in safe communities and to address the particular issues affecting Indigenous women.
(29 Apr 2009)
ACT report on Indigenous family violence
The ACT Victims of Crime Coordinator has released a report on family violence in the ACT Indigenous community.
(30 Mar 2009)
Draft National Indigenous Law and Justice Framework released for consultation
The draft National Indigenous Law and Justice Framework has been developed by the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General. It follows from the consultation on a 'National Indigenous Law and Justice Strategy' in late 2007. At its April 2009 meeting, SCAG agreed to release the draft Framework for a three month targeted consultation. The draft Framework takes a holistic approach to addressing the underlying causes and ongoing consequences of crime in Indigenous communities, including the associated disproportionately high rates of incarceration of Indigenous Australians.
SA Aboriginal Justice Action Plan released
The South Australian Department of Justice have released a plan identifying the strategic directions, roles and responsibilities of Justice agencies and opportunities for cross-agency collaboration, which will improve criminal and social justice outcomes for Aboriginal South Australians.
NSW Circle Sentencing Program to expand
NSW Attorney General John Hatzistergos has announced that the Circle Sentencing program will be expanded. The program will be rolled out to Nambucca, bringing the total number of locations where the Aboriginal justice program operates to 10.Mandatory reporting of domestic violence in NT
The reporting of domestic violence will become mandatory in the Northern Territory, following the passage of new laws.
Judicial Commission of NSW holds Ngara Yura conference for judicial officers and Aboriginal community members
A two-day residential program to be held on the 16-17 May will provide an important opportunity for social and professional interaction between judicial officers and Aboriginal community members, and some insights into Aboriginal culture. The conference will be structured around two interwoven themes: contemporary social issues which impact on Aboriginal communities, and contemporary legal matters arising from these issues.
National Indigenous law and justice advisory body
The Australian Government is establishing a new national Indigenous law and justice advisory body to provide high level policy advice to government as part of its commitment to Closing the Gap on Indigenous disadvantage. Nominations for membership are sought from individuals with experience and expertise on law and justice issues across a range of sectors including academia, police, corrections, legal and support services, education, health and employment.
For more information see the Attorney-General's Department website
(16 Jan 2009)
2007-8 Annual report
The Indigenous Justice Clearinghouse (IJC) pilot website was launched in November 2006 to provide Indigenous justice policy makers in Australia and New Zealand with a centralized information resource on Indigenous justice. The site is a joint project between the NSW Attorney General's Department (NSW AGD) and the Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC).
(5 Dec 2008)
Discontinuation of forum
The Indigenous Justice Clearinghouse online forum has been discontinued based on findings from a recent review of the Clearinghouse. A replacement is under development.
(22 Sep 2008)
Indigenous justice current awareness alert
Regular current awareness alert covering a selection of new key reports, books, journal articles and websites relating to Indigenous justice issues produced by the JV Barry Library, Australian Institute of Criminology.
(15 Sep 2008)
New AIATSIS fund boosts Indigenous researchers
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people now have a greater opportunity to influence public policy and programs for Indigenous communities with the new AIATSIS Indigenous Researchers Fund launched today.
(10 Sep 2008)
Establishment of national Indigenous law and justice advisory body
The Minister for Home Affairs, Bob Debus, has invited Indigenous Australians to participate in the development of a new national Indigenous law and justice advisory body. Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders with relevant experience and expertise will be invited to nominate themselves for appointment to the body after the consultation process. It's expected that the advisory body will consist of 12 members who will be drawn from all States and Territories with expertise in academia, justice areas such as police, corrections and legal services, as well as health, education and housing.
The body will be consulted by the Government and will have significant input into Indigenous law and justice matters and will report to the Standing Committee of Attorney Generals and COAG.
Further information about the body
(3 Sep 2008)
The Australian Institute of Criminology has released a report on reintegration of Indigenous offenders:
Reintegration of Indigenous offenders / Matthew Willis and John-Patrick Moore
Research and public policy series no. 90
A summary paper highlighting the key findings was also released.
(28 Aug 2008)
Does circle sentencing reduce Aboriginal offending?
The NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research has released a report on the effectiveness of circle sentencing:
- Does circle sentencing reduce Aboriginal offending? / Jacqueline Fitzgerald
Crime and justice bulletin no 115, May 2008
(16 Jul 2008)
Research briefs
Two new research briefs are now available.
Research brief no. 2: Bail support in Australia
(28 Apr 2008)
3rd National Indigenous Justice CEO Forum presentations
Presentations and papers from the 3rd National Indigenous Justice CEO Forum, held in Brisbane, Nov 2007 are now available. The theme of the forum was Cultural hearing in criminal justice service delivery : an identification of best practice and innovation to inform further service design.
(24 Apr 2008)
Report on government services 2008 : Indigenous compendium
On 2 April 2008 the Productivity Commission released the Report on Report on government services 2008 : Indigenous compendium.
The report was produced by the Steering Committee for the Review of Government Service Provision and contains all Indigenous data reported in the Report on government services 2008.
(2 Apr 2008)
Apology to members of the stolen generation
On Wednesday 13 February 2008 Kevin Rudd delivered a formal apology to the members of the stolen generation on behalf of the Australian Government.
The transcript of his speech and also that of the Opposition Leader have been added to the resources database. Links to the transcripts are provided below.
- Apology to Australia's Indigenous peoples / Kevin Rudd
- Apology to Australia's Indigenous peoples / Brendan Nelson
(15 Feb 2008)
Finalisation of a National Code of Conduct on Indigenous Art
A code of conduct designed to protect the rights of Indigenous artists has been finalised and will be implemented over the next two months.
- Further information (ABC news article): Code bolsters Indigenous artist protection
(15 Feb 2008)
Indigenous socioeconomic indicators
This Background Note from the Parliamentary library offers a brief guide to statistical descriptions of Indigenous Australians’ socioeconomic situation. It looks first at the context of inputs and outcomes, then at works that offer overviews or summaries of Indigenous socioeconomic indicators, then at sources for most of the data that is used.
(12 Feb 2008)
Discovering the common core: practical frameworks for change
This event will present a new opportunity for family violence workers in Alberta and around the world to learn from international experts and each other. Too often, women's shelter work is overlooked in discussions on family violence, when in reality they are at the forefront of dealing with this issue. This will increase the capacity of shelters in Alberta, across Canada, and around the world to affect change in their organizations and their communities to better meet the needs of ethnocultural, multicultural and racial communities when dealing with family violence
This conference is to be held in Edmonton, Canada, 8-11 September 2008.
further information about this conference
(25 Jan 2008)
Indigenous Issues discussed at SCAG, July 2007
At the July meeting of the Standing Committee of Attorney-Generals each state and territory presented an overview of how they are addressing Indigenous justice issues. Below are papers from this meeting.
(21 Dec 2007)
First national Indigenous family and community strengths conference
This conference convened by The Family Action Centre and the Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care Incorporated and Funded by the Australian Government Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs will focus on the strengths of Indigenous families and communities. Recognising that connection to community, country and culture is central to Indigenous family well being, delegates will explore how Indigenous cultures strengt hen families and communities. The conference will present stories from those working to strengthen Indigenous family and community engagement.
This conference is to be held at the University of Newcastle, 14-16 April 2008.
further information about this conference
(21 Dec 2007)
United Nations adopts declaration on rights of indigenous peoples
The General Assembly today adopted a landmark declaration outlining the rights of the world's estimated 370 million indigenous people and outlawing discrimination against them.
For further information about this conference please refer to the full media release.
(13 Sep 2007)
National Indigenous law and justice strategy
The Attorney-General, Philip Ruddock and the Minister for Justice and Customs, Senator David Johnston, have released a discussion draft of a national Indigenous law and justice strategy.
The strategy has four aims:
- Reducing crime in communities and increasing access to justice
- Reducing imprisonment and juvenile detention
- Increasing actual and perceived safety
- Reducing the impact of family violence
From the foreword:
- The Strategy is a framework for discussion and input for a whole of government coordinated approach to Indigenous justice issues across Australia.
- The Strategy aims to facilitate discussion and progression of issues concerning the law and justice needs of Indigenous Australians across all governments and stakeholders. The guiding principles for the Strategy are the themes of justice, healing, reconciliation and mutual trust.
(28 Aug 2007)
Appointment of Assistant Commissioner of Aboriginal Justice, Western Australia
The West Australian Department of Corrective Services has announced the appointment of Mr Colin Fong as the Assistant Commissioner of Aboriginal Justice. Mr Fong was formerly the Director of the Office of Aboriginal Health. From the Minister for Corrective Services' media release;
Mr Fong has a long history of working proactively on Aboriginal issues. He helped set up the inaugural Kimberley Commission of Elders, assisted with the Gordon Inquiry, worked to establish the Aboriginal Cultural Respect Framework and improved health services for Aboriginal people.
Part of Mr Fong's role will be to engage Aboriginal communities and other service providers to facilitate partnerships, improve lifestyle choices and change behavioural patterns in order to reduce the level of recidivism and incarceration.
Mr Fong will also play a key role in informing policy and procedures from an indigenous perspective.
Mr Fong will provide high-level advice on issues relating to services for Aboriginal people, as well as working closely with the locals and building Aboriginal community confidence.
He will start with the department at the end of August.
(1 Aug 2007)
2nd annual Indigenous leadership forum 2007
18-19 Sept 2007, Brisbane. The Indigenous leadership forum 2007 is a highly interactive three day conference and workshop forum that brings together leaders from around Australia.
For further information about this conference please contact the conference organisers.
(18 Jun 2007)
Research on strong Indigenous communities
The first Indigenous justice clearinghouse research brief is now available.
(5 Apr 2007)
