Regional governance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities: the development of a legal framework and practical models to address discrimination and disadvantage

Funding: 2006: $95,000
2007: $90,000

Project Member(s): Lavarch, L.

Funding or Partner Organisation: Australian Research Council (ARC Linkage Projects)
South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council
Reconciliation Australia Ltd (Reconciliation Australia Limited Partnership Fund)

Start year: 2006

Summary: Many Indigenous people are of the view that the needs and aspirations of their communities may be more effectively negotiated and managed on a local or regional level. Government leaders and agencies have identified more localised decision-making by Indigenous communities as a policy priority. Despite this, there is little comprehensive research regarding the legal and policy issues associated with regional governance for Indigenous people in Australia. This research project will redress the paucity of in-depth legal analysis in this area, and develop achievable and practical models of regional governance for Indigenous communities, to enhance their cultural, economic and social well-being.

Publications:

Reilly, A, Behrendt, LY, Williams, G, McCausland, R & McMillan, MD 2007, 'The Promise of Regional Governance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities', Ngiya: Talk the Law, vol. 1, pp. 126-166.

Keywords: Indigenous law, public law, Indigenous governance, Indigenous sovereignty, comparative law,

FOR Codes: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander development and welfare, Justice and the law not elsewhere classified, Understanding legal processes, Constitutional Law, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Law, Legal Processes, Comparative Law, Constitutional law , Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the law, Justice and the law, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community services

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.