The intersection between Indigenous cultures and Australian legal custom: Embracing different ways of doing justice
Speech delivered by Dr Jacoba Brasch QC, President, Law Council of Australia at the Sunshine Coast Bar Association’s Professional Development Day 2021, Alexandra Headland Surf Lifesaving Club, 28 August 2021.
"We move today to an equally challenging topic, but one of absolute relevance for us as lawyers, and officers of the Courts. Sadly, the intersection between Indigenous culture and legal customs has not always been a happy meeting place.
Today, you have an impressive line-up of experts in their fields of native title, stolen generation legislation, and customary law. And I am pleased to see His Honour, the geekiest Magistrate in Australia, Andrew Sinclair will end the day with his IT session.
For my part, I will reflect on some of the things I have challenged and others I have championed during my year so far as Law Council President. And I must admit – candidly – that my time at the LCA has given me a sharper, Australia-wide focus on how our “justice system” has often done a great disservice to the original inhabitants of this land."
You can read the full speech below.
Last Updated on 06/09/2021