We make recommendations to the Commonwealth Government to tackle systemic racism in Government systems.
The Justice and Equity Centre has made a submission to the Senate Inquiry into racism, hate and violence directed at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.
Our submission focused on systemic racism as a form of discrimination and inequity, entrenched in a society’s institutions, laws, policies, practices and norms. Systemic racism is a result of ongoing and historic injustice.
We drew on our work with First Nations people experiencing systemic racism in the criminal legal system and the child protection system.
Our submission makes seven recommendations to the Commonwealth Government, urging action to address systemic racism in government systems. These systems continue to harm First Nations people and resist efforts at change.
These recommendations included raising the minimum age of criminal responsibility nation-wide to at least 14 years old and working closely with state and territory government to:
- support First Nations community-led transformation of government systems;
- increase investment in early intervention, prevention, diversion and restoration programs;
- and establish and invest in truth-telling projects and independent oversight.
