We insist, however, that all who seek to share our resources do so in a spirit of mutual respect and understanding of our rights. We are talking about consultation, negotiation, and agreements which protect and preserve our inheritance. It is my duty under customar y law to ensure that our resources are protected now and for future generations of my people, and all Australians. Despite colonisation, Aboriginal customary law survives today and binds us to exercise our inherent rights and to defend those rights to control and manage the use and occupation of our estate. We will continue to do so.
Customary law is necessary in remote communities as it provides swift and effective punishment.
In areas where customary law existed, crime was lower and social harmony more prevalent. Access to interpreters in the courts should be a right for indigenous people who do not have English as a first language. Justice befor e reconciliation. There is a need to adapt court proceedings to accommodate Aboriginal sensitivities such as naming of the deceased. The issue of false imprisonment was raised and how the rights of some were restricted.