ALSWA prepared this submission in response to a review of the Bail Act 1982 (WA) being undertaken by the WA Department of the Attorney General. The review was prompted by Coronial comments arising from the Inquest into the death of Mr Ward. In its submission, ALSWA provided responses to the 42...
The Australian Government appeared before the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in Geneva on 10-11 August 2010 for a periodic review of its performance under the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD). ALSWA submitted a brief factual summary regarding the case of Mr...
This submission was prepared in response to the Australian Government’s draft National Report to the United Nation’s (UN) Universal Periodic Review (UPR) from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (ATSILS), who are listed in the submission. The UPR offers the Australian Government a unique opportunity to take stock...
The United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) offers the Australian Government a unique opportunity to take stock of its progress in the area of human rights and identify areas for improvement. The joint Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (ATSILS), who are listed in the...
ALSWA Submission to the Community Development and Justice Standing Committee of the WA Legislative Assembly – April 2010 In this submission, ALSWA calls on the Western Australian Government to reform its approach to criminal justice by engaging in Justice Reinvestment initiatives aimed at reducing offending, rather than simply incarcerating offenders. ALSWA notes...
ALSWA Submission to the Commonwealth Senate Scrutiny of Bills Committee – April 2010 This submission encourages the Senate Scrutiny of Bills Committee (‘the Committee’) to extend its role to specifically consider and address Australia’s international obligations in relation to the treatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the specific impact...
Intervention of the Indigenous Peoples Organisation of Australia at UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues – April 2010 This intervention and report concerns the alarmingly high and ever increasing rates of incarceration of Indigenous children and youth in Australia and around the world. It notes the legacy of historical abuse and...
Intervention of the Indigenous Peoples Organisation of Australia at UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues – April 2010 This intervention elaborates on the history and impacts of the legal fictions of the Doctrines of Discovery in the USA and Terra Nullius in Australia on Indigenous peoples. It recommended that the Permanent...
ALSWA Submission to the WA Parliament - March 2010 This submission considers the Aboriginal Housing Legislation Amendment Bill 2009 (WA) (‘the Bill’) which was developed to implement a new Commonwealth approach to Aboriginal housing driven by the National Partnership Agreement on Remote Indigenous Housing. The Bill proposed radical change to the...
ALSWA Response to the Law Reform Commission of Western Australia’s Discussion Paper – February 2010 This submission provided comment on the juror selection process and eligibility for jury service of people from various specific occupations. ALSWA supports the retention of five peremptory challenges for all accused to assist in removing perceived...