First Nations justice
Media and commentary relating to our collaborative work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and organisations to promote the rights of First Nations peoples.
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Telling the Truth about Living on Country
Towards Truth has published research into how fishing and housing law and policies have impacted Aboriginal people.
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Aboriginal and legal groups horrified at secret plan to throw more children in jail
A coalition of Aboriginal and legal organisations says a secret proposal to tighten NSW bail laws for children would make NSW regional communities more dangerous. Multiple government sources have indicated off the record that a proposal to introduce punitive law and order measures – including changes to bail laws that will result in more children…
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ABC News: Report finds NSW Police suspect lists led to ‘gross over-representation’ of Indigenous people
We worked tirelessly to defeat the STMP, which unlawfully targeted First Nations people.
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NSW Police are not closing the gap
A report by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) into the NSW Police policing and engagement with Aboriginal people and communities is critical of the force’s failure to take seriously its obligations to Close the Gap and reduce Aboriginal over-representation in the criminal justice system. Jonathon Hunyor, CEO of the Public Interest Advocacy Centre, joined…
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Closing the Gap targets would lead to ‘competing duties’: NSW Police Commissioner
The report also confirmed Aboriginal people continue to be significantly over-represented in the application of the Suspect Targeting Management Plan (STMP). Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) has called for reform on the “harmful” STMP programme, including stopping its use on children and youths. PIAC argue once a person is placed on the STMP, they are…
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NSW Police urged to do more in Closing the Gap
The Public Interest Advocacy Centre said in a statement that the LECC’s report ’emphasises that NSW Police need to do more to reduce the stark overrepresentation of Aboriginal people in contact with the criminal justice system.’ The LECC’s review highlighted Aboriginal people are overrepresented in the use of Suspect Target Management Plans, a tool deployed…
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Response to the referendum for a Voice to Parliament
Our resolve to work with First Nations people to achieve justice remains unwavering.
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Police must act to close the gap: LECC report highlights discriminatory policing
A new report from police oversight body the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) emphasises that NSW Police need to do more to reduce the stark overrepresentation of Aboriginal people in contact with the criminal justice system. The NSW Police Force Aboriginal Strategic Direction 2018-2023 monitoring report highlights several areas where NSW Police have failed to…
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Uncovering the truth of our legal history
Towards Truth emerged after First Nations participants at the Uluru Dialogues spoke about the need for Australians to know their history. It responds to the call for Truth made in the Uluru Statement from the Heart. A partnership between the UNSW’s Indigenous Law Centre, led by Scientia Professor Megan Davis, and the Public Interest Advocacy…
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Joint letter to Queensland Government regarding suspension of Human Rights Act
PIAC joined Change The Record and more than 180 human rights and legal experts, social justice organisations and First Nations community groups in signing an open letter condemning the Queensland government for overriding the state’s Human Rights Act in order to detain children in state police watch houses indefinitely. Dear Premier Palaszczuk and Minister Ryan,…