Joint Media Release
Attorney-General, Senator the Hon. George Brandis QC

Today I announce that I will ask the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) to examine the factors leading to the over representation of Indigenous Australians in our prison system, and consider what reforms to the law could ameliorate this national tragedy.

Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Nigel Scullion, today welcomed the Yarrangi Riwi Yoowarni Gooniyandi native title determination for the Kimberley region of Western Australia, delivered at a hearing of the Federal Court of Australia in Perth.

“The people of Yarrangi Riwi Yoowarni Gooniyandi have a deep connection to their country, caring for traditional and sacred sites and passing on stories and knowledge of country to their children and grandchildren,” Minister Scullion said.

The Coalition Government will provide the Stars Foundation with almost $2 million to deliver intensive school-based mentoring programmes to Indigenous girls and young women across the Northern Territory.

Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Nigel Scullion, said the investment would help 450 Indigenous girls and young women to reach their potential at school and beyond.

“A positive experience at school and a smooth transition to work or further study helps young women to reach their potential later in life,” Minister Scullion said.

The Coalition Government has acted decisively to deliver certainty to students at Kormilda College in Darwin by agreeing to provide financial support to keep the school open through 2017.

Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Nigel Scullion, said that based on what was known of Kormilda College’s financial position, the Government had set aside sufficient funding through the Indigenous Advancement Strategy (IAS) to ensure the college remained open next year.