The Establishment of the National Indigenous Law and Justice Advisory Body
The Australian Government is committed to improving law and justice outcomes for Indigenous Australians as part of its bigger commitment to Closing the Gap on Indigenous disadvantage.
A new national Indigenous law and justice advisory body is being established to provide high level Indigenous law and justice policy advice to the Australian Government. It is anticipated the advisory body will include representation from non government service providers such as Indigenous legal services and family violence support services, key justice sectors, such as police, corrections and the courts, as well as specialists in areas such as law reform, human rights and juvenile justice.
The Australian Government recognises these are complex issues that require a holistic approach if it is to make a real impact. It is envisioned the advisory body will also bring together expert views on a range of factors affecting Indigenous peoples’ contact with the justice system, such as education, health and employment.
The Government is proposing that the body be appointed from nominations received after a national consultation process. The Government will be inviting Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders with the relevant expertise and experience to put themselves forward.
To assist with the development of the advisory body, the Attorney-General’s Department is conducting consultation sessions and inviting written submissions from stakeholders. In particular, the Department seeks your views on the proposed model of the advisory body, the role and responsibilities it could assume, critical issues it could address at a national level and ideas on how the selection process could occur.
The Attorney-General’s Department has prepared the attached Issues Paper, providing information on why the advisory body is being developed and it’s potential composition and role, as background for the consultation discussions.
How can you have your say?
The effectiveness of the advisory body will largely depend upon how accurately it reflects the concerns and interests of stakeholders on Indigenous law and justice issues as well as the Indigenous population generally and its interaction with the justice system.
The Attorney-General’s Department will hold nation wide face-to-face community consultation sessions on the development of the advisory body on the following dates:
| Location | Venue | Consultation Date |
|---|---|---|
| Canberra | Hotel Kurrajong, Wattle Room | 9.00am to 11.00am 15 September 2008 |
| Hobart | Rydges Hobart, Room TBA | 12.30pm to 2.30pm 18 September 2008 |
| Sydney | Medina Grand Harbourside, Spinnaker A Room | 12.30pm to 2.30pm 24 September 2008 |
| Dubbo | Country Comfort Ashwood Resort Dubbo, Magnolia Room | 1.00pm to 3.00pm 25 September 2008 |
| Melbourne | Medina Executive Northbank, Yarra Room | 11.00pm to 1.00pm 26 September 2008 |
| Adelaide | Rendezvous Allegra, Conference Room 2 | 11am to 1.00pm 29 September 2008 |
| Ceduna | Ceduna Indigenous Coordination Centre | 2.00pm to 4.00pm 30 September 2008 |
| Alice Springs | All Seasons Oasis Alice Springs, Palm Conference Room | 3.00pm to 5.00pm 1 October 2008 |
| Perth | Travelodge, Room TBA | 10.00am to 12.00pm 6 October 2008 |
| Broome | Rendezvous Sanctuary Cove Resort Broome, Argyle Room | 9.00am to 11.00am 7 October 2008 |
| Darwin | Travelodge Mirambeena Resort Darwin, Bul Bul Room | 10.00am to 12.00pm 8 October 2008 |
| Brisbane | Marque Brisbane, Treasury Room | 3.00pm to 5.00pm 13 October 2008 |
| Cairns | Shangri-La Hotel, The Marina Cairns, Lagoon Room | 10.00am to 12.00pm 14 October 2008 |
Written submissions can be made by completing the Submission Form and returning it to the Attorney-General’s Department by 31 October 2008.
To register your interest in attending a consultation session, or to make a written submission, please download and complete the Registration Form or Submission Form and submit via:
Email: advisorybody@ag.gov.au
Fax: 02 6218 6996
Post:
Indigenous Policy Section
Indigenous Policy and Service Delivery Branch
Attorney-General's Department
Robert Garran Offices
National Circuit
BARTON ACT 2600
- Registration Form for attendance at consultation [DOC 50KB]
- Registration Form for attendance at consultation [PDF 30KB]
For further information call (02) 6218 7074
