Indigenous Legal Issues
The Law Council established its first Aboriginal Justice Committee in 1991, to advise the Council on issues affecting Indigenous Australians. In 2000, the Committee was abolished and replaced by an Indigenous Legal Issues Committee (ILIC) in 2001. The ILIC continues to advise the Law Council on legal and policy matters affecting Indigenous Australians.1
The ILIC is comprised of: Mr Glenn Ferguson (Chair), Ms Fiona Hussin, Mr Tom Keely, Mr David Maclean, Mr Bevan Mailman, Mr Anthony McAvoy, Mr Dominic McCormack, Mr Dan O'Gorman SC, Judge David Parsons SC, Dr Sarah Pritchard, Ms Chris Ronalds SC, Mr Fred Tanner, Ms Raelene Webb QC, Mr David Woodroffe and Mr Nick Parmeter (Secretariat).
The Law Council is an active proponent and advocate for the legal rights of Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders.
For any queries in relation to the Law Council's work on Indigenous legal issues, contact Nick Parmeter at nick.parmeter@lawcouncil.asn.au.
1 Note on terminology: The Law Council, in its submissions and publications, refers to Indigenous Australians; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; and to Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders. The Law Council acknowledges that Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders comprise many distinct, separate and diverse cultures, tribal groups and nations. The Law Council recognises the diversity of the cultures, languages, kinship structures and ways of life of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
In this section
- Aboriginal Customary Law
- The Law Council supports recognition and respect for Aboriginal customary laws, consistent with International human rights standards.
- Aboriginal Land Rights
- The Law Council supports the recognition and protection of Aboriginal land rights.
- Native Title
- The Law Council is a strong supporter of the native title system and the benefits it can bestow on traditional owners.
- Northern Territory "National Emergency Response"
- In 2007, the former Coalition Government declared a 'national emergency' in Northern Territory Aboriginal communities.
- Constitutional Change: Recognition or Substantive Rights?
- On Friday 22 July 2011, the Law Council of Australia presented a Discussion Forum on Constitutional Change.
- Policy Statement on Indigenous Australians and the Legal Profession
- The Policy Statement guides the Law Council’s approach to legal and public policy issues affecting Indigenous Australians.
- United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
- In September 2007, the United Nations voted to adopt the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Australia was one of just 4 nations to vote against its adoption.
- Reconciliation Action Plan
- The Law Council's Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
- The John Koowarta Reconciliation Law Scholarship
- The Law Council administers the John Koowarta Scholarship, which is available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students enrolled to study law.
- Indigenous Legal Issues Committee
- The Indigenous Legal Issues Committee advises the Law Council on legal and policy matters affecting Indigenous Australians.
