During the 2022 State Election, the Government committed to establish an advisory commission to develop options to reduce the rate of Aboriginal people in custody.

In September 2022, the Attorney-General appointed 8 members to the Advisory Commission into the Incarceration Rates of Aboriginal Peoples in South Australia.

Membership

The Advisory Commission membership included South Australian Aboriginal leaders with expertise and knowledge in the criminal justice system, as well as members from Canada and New Zealand, who shared insights on effective solutions that have been implemented overseas.

The Advisory Commission was made up of:

  • Heather Agius
  • Major Sumner AM
  • Distinguished Professor Larissa Behrendt AO
  • Adjunct Associate Professor Scott Wilson
  • Leanne Liddle
  • Chris Larkin
  • Professor Tracey McIntosh MNZM
  • Jonathan Rudin.

Methodology

The role of the Advisory Commission was to complement the findings of previous national and interstate inquiries and reports, by bringing a uniquely South Australian perspective to the drivers of incarceration.

The Advisory Commission focused on the justice system-related contributors to the disproportionate imprisonment rates of Aboriginal people at key junctures of a person’s journey through the justice system, including:

  • contact with police and courts
  • bail and remand
  • custody, as well as conditional release from custody (such as parole).

Report of the Advisory Commission (PDF, 600.4 KB)

Actions being taken by Government

The State Government is actively responding to the key themes and recommendations put forward by the Advisory Commission to reduce the overrepresentation of Aboriginal people in the justice system, including developing a South Australian Aboriginal Justice Agreement in partnership with Aboriginal people and communities to improve justice outcomes.

The Government of South Australia has also committed funding to respond to and support a number of other key themes and recommendations made by the Advisory Commission. A December 2025 update on the actions and activities being progressed by the Government is available to access here (PDF, 883.4 KB).

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