Why Do We Fail to Deliver Justice to Indigenous Populations?

Abstract

First Nations people are often disadvantaged as they negotiate justice systems that fail to deliver equal treatment before the law. Examining this issue from the perspective of the criminal justice system of my own country, Australia, this article reviews the causes of that disadvantage and what has been, and remains to be, done to remedy this persistent inequality. I distil the lessons from our experience to offer suggestions to courts and justice administrations in other countries that are grappling with similar challenges. I hope this exploration might provoke a wider conversation about our responsibilities as judicial administration scholars and professionals.