Reconciliation Action Plan 2009
The Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) has committed itself to a series of practical initiatives to ensure that Indigenous people are effectively engaged in the processes of law reform with the launch of its first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
ALRC President Professor David Weisbrot said Australia’s laws must have proper regard to Indigenous interests, protect and promote Indigenous culture and improve social and economic outcomes for Indigenous people.
“As the national law reform body, the ALRC has the opportunity to contribute to social justice, equity and inclusion. Through this RAP, we have committed ourselves to practical initiatives to begin this process.”
The launch of the RAP—which was combined with the release of a special edition of the ALRC’s journal, Reform focusing on native title—was held at the Tranby Aboriginal College in Sydney in April.
Following the Welcome to Country by Mr Michael West from the Metropolitan Aboriginal Land Council, and introduction by the Executive Director of Tranby Aboriginal College, Lindon Coombes, speeches were presented by Professor Weisbrot; the Attorney-General, the Hon Robert McClelland—the Minister responsible for Native Title—who formally launched the RAP; and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Mr Tom Calma, who launched the ALRC’s Reform journal. The launch proceedings were wrapped up by a performance from Indigenous artist and musician, Emma Donovan, who performed two songs.
Professor Weisbrot said the development of the RAP had captured the imagination—and inspired the creative energies—of the whole Commission. The ALRC has established an Indigenous Advisory Committee to advise on all aspects of the ALRC’s work, including the identification of potential future references for law reform that are of specific interest or importance to Indigenous people, and broadening the ALRC’s engagement with and participation by Indigenous communities. The ALRC is also creating a dedicated Indigenous Law Student Internship program to be launched later in the year.
“The RAP is a work-in-progress and a living document—these initiatives are just a first step. We know there is much more we can achieve,” Professor Weisbrot said.
The Attorney-General spoke of the Government’s vision for new approaches to the resolution of native title, particularly in regard to amendments to the Native Title Act.
“There is no doubt that native title is a challenging, complex area of law. But those complexities should not be used as an excuse for not trying to find new ways of recognising Indigenous peoples’ property rights. Rather, it should be a reason for finding new ways of doing things,” Mr McClelland said.
Mr Calma’s speech encouraged the Government to take the ALRC’s Reform journal and “use all of the knowledge and experience within its pages to ensure we realise the rights of Australia’s Indigenous peoples”.
The special edition of Reform contains 17 articles by a remarkable collection of eminent authors. The journal is not an ALRC report, and does not contain formal findings or recommendations, but rather presents a wide range of voices from leading thinkers in the area.