Reconciliation and Social Justice Library

THE RECOGNITION OF ABORIGINAL CUSTOMARY LAWS

• THE RECOGNITION OF ABORIGINAL CUSTOMARY LAWS
  • VOLUME 2
    • PART VI - LOCAL JUSTICE MECHANISMS FOR ABORIGINAL COMMUNITIES
      • 27. General Principles
        • Introduction
          • 678. Background to the Terms of Reference
          • 679. 'Law and Order' in Aboriginal Communities.
          • 680. Outline of this Part.
        • Justice Mechanisms: Theory and Practice
          • 681. Some General Developments.
          • 682. Community Justice Centres (NS W).
        • Justice Mechanisms in Aboriginal Communities: Needs, Problems and Responses
          • 683. Previous Discussions of these Questions:
          • 684. No Solutions Proposed.
          • 685. Legal and Administrative Responses.
        • Aboriginal Needs and Demands
          • 686. Aboriginal Views.
        • The Commission's Role
          • 687. Diffuse and Wide-Ranging Problems
          • 688. The Terms of Reference: Conflicting Interpretations.
          • 689. Local Self-Determination.
          • 690. Underlying Difficulties.
          • 691. Approaches for the Commission.
      • 28. Dispute Settlement in Aboriginal Communities
        • Customary Methods of Dispute Resolution
          • 692. A Range of Mechanisms.
          • 693. Research on Dispute Resolution.
        • Edward River [82]
          • 694. Background.
          • 695. Dispute Resolution.
          • 696. 'Old Custom' or 'Murri Law'.
          • 697. Responses to 'Wrongs'.
          • 698. Public Dispute Resolution.
          • 699. Changes to Public Disputing.
          • 700. The Aboriginal Court.
          • 701. Range of Cases Heard.
          • 702. Interaction Between 'Old Custom' Disputing and the Aboriginal Court.
          • 703. Non-Aboriginal Perceptions of 'Old-Custom' Disputing.
          • 704. Perceptions of Violence.
          • 705. Non-Aboriginal Offences.
          • 706. Summary.
        • Yirrkala
          • 707. Background.
          • 708. Dispute Resolution Process.
          • 709. Kin Obligations.
          • 710. Sanctions.
          • 711. Role of the General Legal System.
          • 712. The Current Situation.
        • Strelley
          • 713. Background.
          • 714. Decision-Making and Dispute Resolution.
          • 715. 'The Ten-Man Committee'.
          • 716. Links with the General Legal System.
          • 717. Sanctions.
          • 718. Comment.
        • General Conclusions
          • 719. Representativeness of this Experience.
          • 720. Conclusion.
      • 29. Special Aboriginal Courts and Justice Schemes
        • Introduction
          • 721. History of 'Aboriginal Courts'.
          • 722. The Present Situation.
        • Queensland Aboriginal Courts
          • 723. Constitution of the Courts.
          • 724. Jurisdiction.
          • 725. Appeals
          • 726. Procedure under the New Regulations.
          • 727. By-laws.
          • 728. Penalties.
          • 729. Effect of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders (Queensland Discriminatory Laws) Act 1975 (Cth).
        • Support Structures for the Aboriginal Courts
          • 730. Aboriginal Police.
          • 731 Problems of Recruitment and Turnover.
          • 732. Aboriginal Gaols.
          • 733. Visiting Justice.
        • The Operation of the Aboriginal Courts
          • 734. The Commission's Field Work.
          • 735. Range of Offences.
          • 736. Appeals.
          • 737. Charges Heard, Court Sittings.
          • 738. Penalties.
          • 739. Procedure.
          • 740. The Special Situation of Aurukun and Mornington Island.
        • Assessment
          • 741. More Basic Criticisms.
          • 742. `Second-class' Institutions.
          • 743. The Lack of Aboriginal Influence or Control.
          • 744. Local Customs and Traditions
          • 745. Imposition of Alien Structures and Values.
          • 746. Should the Courts be Retained?
        • Aboriginal Courts in Western Australia
          • 747. The Syddall Inquiry.
          • 748. The Aboriginal Communities Act 1979 (WA).
          • 749. Application of Aboriginal Traditions.
          • 750. Enforcement of the By-laws.
          • 751. Model By-laws.
          • 752. The Extent of Aboriginal Autonomy.
          • 753. Geographical and other Limitations of the Scheme.
          • 754. Contrast with Queensland By-laws.
          • 755. The Western Australian Scheme in Practice.
          • 756. Community Support.
          • 757. The Hoddinott Study.
          • 758. Future of the Scheme.
        • Northern Territory
          • 759. Different Schemes.
          • 760. Community Government Scheme.
          • 761. Local By-laws.
          • 762. The Scheme in Practice.
          • 763. Delegation of Child Welfare Functions.
          • 764. Justice (Courts) Project in Aboriginal Communities.
          • 765. Conciliation Role of Land Councils.
        • South Australia
          • 766. Tribal Assessor.
        • Conclusion
          • 767. The Australian Experience.
      • 30. Indigenous Justice Mechanisms in some Overseas Countries'
        • Models and Comparisons
          • 768. Relevance of Overseas Comparisons.
        • Papua New Guinea Village Courts
          • 769. Background.
          • 770. Structure of Village Courts.
          • 771. Village Courts in Practice.
          • 772. Formality of Procedures.
          • 773. Application of Custom.
          • 774. Unofficial Dispute Resolution.
          • 775. Relation to the General Legal System.
          • 776. Supervision.
          • 777. Usefulness in Urban Areas.
          • 778. Village Courts and Women.
          • 779. Overview and Conclusions.
        • United States: Indian Tribal Courts
          • 780. Different Kinds of Courts.
          • 781. Customary or Pueblo Courts.
          • 782. Tribal and CFR Courts.
          • 783. Reservations without Courts.
          • 784. Constitutional Basis.
          • 785. Jurisdiction.
          • 786. Current Jurisdictional Problems.
        • Tribal Courts in Practice
          • 787. Workload.
          • 788. Criticisms of Tribal Courts.
          • 789. Support for the Courts.
          • 790. Navajo Peacemaker Court.
          • 791. Assessment.
        • Canada
          • 792. Native Peoples in Canada.
          • 793. Legal Position of Canadian Native Peoples.
          • 794. No Tribal Courts.
        • South Africa
          • 795. A Coercive Form of Legal Pluralism.
          • 796. Customary Law and Separate Courts.
          • 797. Conflicts over the Application of Custom.
          • 798. Bantustans or Homelands Areas.
          • 799. Assessment.
        • New Zealand
          • 800. Special Laws for Maoris.
          • 801. Te Atatu Maori Committee.
        • Conclusions
          • 802. The Overseas Experience.
      • 31. Local Justice Mechanisms: Options for Aboriginal Communities
        • Introduction
          • 803. The Range of Options.
          • 804. Criteria for Suitability.
          • 805. Aboriginal Self-Management or Self-Determination.
          • 806. Administrative Feasibility.
          • 807. Due Process.
          • 808. Constitutional Constraints.
        • Local Control over Law and Order Matters
          • 809. Forms of Local Autonomy.
          • 810. Local Autonomy and the Commission's Terms of Reference.
          • 811. By-Law Powers.
        • Aboriginal Courts or Similar Bodies
          • 812. Basic Features.
          • 813. Support for Aboriginal Courts.
          • 814. Contrary Arguments.
          • 815. The Law to be Applied.
          • 816. Lessons from the Western Australian Scheme.
          • 817. General Conclusion.
          • 818. Basic Standards for Aboriginal Courts.
          • 819. Introduction of New Aboriginal Courts and Similar Bodies in Particular Communities?
        • Yirrkala Scheme
          • 820. History and Development.
          • 821. Two Councils.
          • 822. Community Court.
          • 823. Interaction with General Legal System.
          • 824. Scope of the Scheme.
          • 825. Other Functions of Garma Council.
          • 826. Punishment and Compensation.
          • 827. Imprisonment?
          • 828. Matters to be Resolved.
          • 829. Jurisdiction.
          • 830. Community Acceptance.
          • 831. Other Issues of Concern to the Yirrkala Leaders.
          • 832. Assessment and Recommendations.
        • Non-Judicial Dispute Resolution
          • 833. Local Mediation Panels.
          • 834. Demand for Such Forums?
        • Administrative Recognition
          • 835. Major Areas of Concern.
        • Aborigines as Officials in the Ordinary Courts
          • 836. Policies of 'Aboriginalisation '.
          • 837. 'Aboriginalisation' as a Solution.
        • Conclusions and Implementation: The Way Forward.'?
          • 838. The Search for Solutions.
          • 839. A New Agency?
          • 840. Potential Dangers.
          • 841. A Non-Government Approach?
          • 842. An Aboriginal Organisation.
          • 843. Related Issues.
      • 32. Aborigines and the Police
        • Introduction
          • 844. The Range of Issues.
          • 845. Role of the Police.
          • 846. Different Policing Methods.
          • 847. Aboriginal Views.
          • 848. Need for Regular Communication.
        • Aborigines in the Police Force
          • 849. 'Them' and 'Us'.
          • 850. Recruitment of Aborigines.
          • 851. Recruitment Policy.
          • 852. Aboriginal Police Aides.
          • 853. Arguments for Aboriginal Police Aides.
          • 854. Promotion for Aboriginal Police Aides.
          • 855. Aboriginal Police and Kinship.
          • 856. Aboriginal Police Exercising Arrest Powers.
          • 857. The Need for Local Support.
        • Community Wardens and other Forms of Self-Policing
          • 858. South Australian Wardens.
          • 859. Council-employed Peace Officers.
          • 860. Policing by Council Members.
          • 861. The 'Ten-Man Committee'.
          • 862. Self-Policing in Urban Areas.
          • 863. Advantages and Disadvantages of Self-Policing.
          • 864. A New South Wales Pilot Scheme.
        • Policing Aboriginal Communities: Conclusions
          • 865. Aboriginal Police.
          • 866. Self-Policing.
          • 867. Alternative Policing Strategies.
        • Other Policing Problems
          • 868. Aboriginal/Police Relations.
          • 869. Regular Meetings between Aborigines and Police.
          • 870. Effectiveness of Existing Liaison Schemes.
          • 871. Views Expressed at Public Hearings.
          • 872. Conclusions on Liaison Committees.
        • Police Training and Selection
          • 873. Lack of Understanding.
          • 874. Existing Police Training.
          • 875. Previous Recommendations for Improving Police Training.
          • 876. Police Selection.
          • 877. Conclusions: Training and Selection.
        • Education
          • 878. A Role for Aboriginal Legal Services.
        • A Challenge for the Police
          • 879. The Role of the Police.
        • Conclusions
          • 880. Summary of Conclusions and Recommendations in this Part.
    • PART VII - THE RECOGNITION OF TRADITIONAL HUNTING, FISHING AND GATHERING RIGHTS
      • 33. Traditional Hunting, Fishing and Gathering Practices
        • Relevance of these Issues
          • 881. The Aim of this Part.
        • Traditional Hunting, Fishing and Gathering in Australia
          • 882. Traditional Hunting and the Law.
          • 883. Management of Natural Resources.
          • 884. Customary Rules and Prescriptions.
          • 885. Continued Importance of Traditional Hunting, Gathering and Fishing Rights.
          • 886. The Evidence of Land Claims Hearings.
          • 887. Some Quantitative Data.
        • Relationship to Land and Seabed Rights
          • 888. Land Use and Ownership of Land.
          • 889. Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 (Cth).
          • 890. Sea Use and Ownership of the Seabed.
        • The Commission's Approach to Recognition
          • 891. Claims for Recognition of Hunting, Fishing and Gathering Rights.
          • 892. The Significance of these Issues.
          • 893. Relationship with Land Rights.
      • 34. Hunting, Fishing and Gathering Rights: Legislation or Common Law?
        • 894. The Relevance of Common Law Arguments.
      • The Position in Canada and New Zealand
        • 895. Two Canadian Cases.
        • 896. Other Canadian Developments.
        • 897. Summary of the Canadian Position.
        • 898. The New Zealand Position.
      • Australian Law
        • 899. Absence of Treaties or Special Laws.
        • 900. Common Law Protection?
        • 901. Mabo's Case.
        • 902. Implications of Common Law Claims in Australia.
        • 903. Customary Rights.
        • 904. Profits a Prendre.
      • Conclusion
        • 905. Common Law or Legislation ?
    • 35. Aboriginal Hunting, Fishing and Gathering Rights Current Australian Legislation
      • 906. Legislative and Administrative Overview.
      • 907. Historical Background.
      • 908. Three Main Areas of Concern.
    • Legislation on Hunting and Gathering Rights
      • 909. Wildlife Conservation.
      • 910. Aboriginal Land.
      • 911. Kakadu National Park.
      • 912. Uluru National Park.
      • 913. Future Directions: Jawoyn Land Claim.
    • Northern Territory
      • 914. Wildlife Conservation
      • 915. Aboriginal Land.
      • 916. Cobourg Peninsula.
    • South Australia
      • 917. Wildlife Conservation.
      • 918. Proposed Reforms.
      • 919. Native Flora.
      • 920. Aboriginal Land.
    • Western Australia
      • 921. Wildlife Conservation.
      • 922. National Parks Authority Act 1976 (WA).
      • 923. Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 (WA).
      • 924. Aboriginal Land.
      • 925. Aboriginal Land Inquiry and Hunting Rights.
      • 926. The Aboriginal Land Bill 1985 (WA).
    • Queensland.
      • 927. Wildlife Conservation.
      • 928. Aboriginal Land.
    • New South Wales
      • 929. Wildlife Conservation.
      • 930. Aboriginal Land.
    • Victoria
      • 931. Wildlife Conservation.
      • 932. Aboriginal Land.
    • Tasmania
      • 933. Wildlife Conservation.
      • 934. Aboriginal Land.
    • Access to Land for Hunting and Gathering: The Present Position
      • 935. Access to Non-Aboriginal land.
      • 936. Northern Territory.
      • 937. Nexus Requirements.
      • 938. Further Limitations on Access Rights.
      • 939. South Australia.
      • 940. Western Australia.
      • 941. New South Wales.
    • Legislation On Aboriginal Fishing Rights
      • 942. Divided Responsibility.
      • 943. Torres Strait Treaty. [808]
      • 944. Commonwealth Legislation Implementing the Treaty.
      • 945. Torres Strait Fisheries Act 1984 (Cth).
      • 946. Resulting Priorities.
      • 947. Community Fishing Licences.
      • 948. Fisheries Act 1952 (Cth).
      • 949. Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 (Cth).
      • 950. Cairns and Cormorant Pass Zoning Plans.
    • The Northern Territory
      • 951. Fisheries Generally.
      • 952. Commercial and Community Fishing Licences.
      • 953. Closures of the Seas.
    • South Australia
      • 954. Fisheries Generally.
    • Western Australia
      • 955. Fisheries Generally.
      • 956. Closures of the Seas.
    • Queensland
      • 957. Fisheries Generally.
      • 958. The Problem of Dugong.
      • 959. Marine Parks.
    • New South Wales
      • 960. Fisheries Generally.
    • Victoria and Tasmania
      • 961. Fisheries Generally.
    • Miscellaneous Restrictions Under Australian Legislation
      • 962. Some Examples.
    • Australian Legislation on Hunting, Fishing and Gathering: An Overview
      • 963. Summary.
      • 964. The Application of Hunting Legislation.
      • 965. Aboriginal Land.
      • 966. Access to Land.
      • 967. The Application of Fishing Legislation.
      • 968. Sea Closures.
      • 969. Conclusion.
  • 36. Securing Hunting, Fishing and Gathering Rights
    • 970. Articulating Basic Principles.
    • 971. The Need for Recognition.
    • 972. Setting Out a Concerted Approach.
    • 973. A Legislative Response?
  • Some Definitional Problems
    • 974. Questions of Definition.
    • 975. The Purposes of 'Traditional Hunting and Fishing'.
    • 976. Barter and Trade.
    • 977. Traditional Hunting and Fishing Methods.
  • A Statement Of Principles
    • 978. An Ordering of Priorities.
    • 979. Conservation - A Primary Concern.
    • 980. Conservation versus Traditional Hunting and Fishing Interests.
    • 981. Local or Partial Restrictions in the Interests of Conservation.
    • 982. Consistency of Conservation and Traditional Subsistence Activities in some Cases.
    • 983. Other Overriding Interests.
    • 984. Traditional Hunting and Fishing versus other Interests.
    • 985. Commercial Interests and Community Licences.
    • 986. The Canadian Experience.
    • 987. Resource Harvesting in Australia.
    • 988. Recreational Hunting and Fishing.
  • Access to Land or Sea
    • 989. Access to Pastoral and Crown Land.
    • 990. Traditional or other Nexus with Land.
    • 991. Long Association with Land.
    • 992. Sea Closures.
    • 993. Traditional or other Nexus with the Sea.
  • Aboriginal Participation in Resource Management
    • 994. Involving Aboriginal People in Resources Management.
    • 995. Consultation with Aboriginal People in the Setting of Priorities.
    • 996. Requiring Consultation: The Need for Legislation.
    • 997. Commission's Conclusion.
    • 998. Questions of Resources.
    • 999. Consultation or Control?
    • 1000. Forms of Joint Management of Aboriginal Land.
  • Conclusions
    • 1001. Summary of Recommendations in this Part.
    • 1002. The Commonwealth's Role.
    • 1003. Legislation Requiring Amendment.