Social Justice Report 2012
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
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Transmittal Letter
26 October 2012
The Hon Nicola Roxon MP
Attorney-General
Parliament House
CANBERRA ACT 2600
Dear Attorney
Social Justice Report 2012
I am pleased to present to you the Social Justice Report 2012 (the Report), which I have
prepared in accordance with section 46C(1)(a) of the Australian Human Rights Commission
Act 1986 (Cth) (AHRC Act).
The AHRC Act provides that the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
Commissioner is to submit a report regarding the enjoyment and exercise of human rights
by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and including recommendations as to the
action that should be taken to ensure the exercise and enjoyment of human rights by those
persons.
The theme of governance in the Social Justice and Native Title Reports for 2012 relates
directly to my priorities concerning relationships and giving full effect to the United Nations
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. In this Report, I will look at governance as a
tool for achieving the goals of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
I will outline three components of a framework for effective governance in Indigenous
communities: a foundation of community governance and self-determination; good
organisational governance; and an enabling role played by government and other external
parties. I will look at what this means in practice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
communities and those external parties.
Appendix 2 of the Report provides a chronology of key events for 2011–2012.
Finally, the Social Justice Report 2012 provides several recommendations for your
consideration.
I look forward to discussing the Report with you.
Yours sincerely
Mick Gooda
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Social Justice Commissioner
