News
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)
