Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia
Courts Innovate to Boost Justice Access for Indigenous
On 11 June 2025, the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Divisions 1 and 2) (‘the Courts’) will launch their 2025-2027 ‘Innovate’ Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) which reflects the Courts’ continuing commitment to providing access to justice for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peoples. The launch, to be held in Brisbane, will feature an address from Aunty Betty McGrady, a Gunggari elder from Southwest Queensland, as well as Deputy Chief Justice Robert McClelland AO.
The innovations build on years of commitment to reconciliation since the launch of the Federal Circuit Court’s first RAP in 2014. The commitments outlined in the 2025-2027 RAP include:
Judge Josephine Willis AM said:
Kirsty Maylin, Director of Indigenous Operations, Policy and Support, said:
Deputy Chief Justice McClelland said:
The Courts also convened a First Nations Forum in Brisbane in August 2024, where we gathered with more than 50 stakeholders representing First Nations legal services, family violence services, other social support services, Government representatives and First Nations leaders to listen to First Nations experiences of interacting with the Courts, and brainstorm together what we could do in the future.
The four RAP types (Reflect, Innovate, Stretch and Elevate) allow RAP partners to continuously strengthen reconciliation commitments and constantly strive to apply learnings in new ways.
An Innovate RAP is a crucial and rewarding period in an organisation’s reconciliation journey. It is a time to build the strong foundations and relationships that ensure sustainable, thoughtful, and impactful RAP outcomes now and into the future.
Indigenous Family Liaison Officers (IFLOs) are located across Australia, and are available both before a court appearance and in court, to provide impartial support families to understand and engage with the court process. They can also help people who are involved in a family law issue by connecting them to legal and other support services.
Access the full text of the 2025 – 2027 RAP
https://www.fcfcoa.gov.au/news-and-media-centre/media-releases/mr100625