The Wire

The Australian Law Reform Commission has proposed a major shake-up of long-standing court rules to allow Aboriginal people to give evidence about their traditions and customs. The ALRC’s discussion paper was released yesterday and contains 17 proposals regarding the nation’s evidence laws. Under “Proposal 17”, hearsay and opinion evidence about Indigenous customary lore and traditions would be admissible as evidence. Commissioner of the ALRC, Les McCrimmon, says the proposed changes would have a big impact on Native Title hearings.

Australian Law Reform Commission