Indigenous Australians and the Law

This book concentrates on areas of the law which are currently of great importance to the indigenous Australians. The subjects covered include the legacy of colonialism; de-racialisation; empowerment, sentencing and the criminal justice system; native title; public health law; reconciliation and the constitution; self-determination; common law and customary law; and human rights. The aim of this book is to familiarise law students with the culture of the indigenous people of Australia and to stimulate an appreciation of the impact of the law in its various forms upon the indigenous people, the obstacles to their full participation in the community, and the rocky road to reconciliation. It is hoped that this book will in some small way contribute to reconciliation by placing students, in particular, in a position of greater understanding.