Ending Systemic Injustice
First Nations communities leading the path to meaningful justice reform
29-31 July 2026 | Eora/Sydney
Supporting Partners
The First Nations Justice Reform Forum is CPD Accredited. Attendees will receive 7 points per day, with a certificate immediately following the event.
About the Event
Australia’s justice system is in crisis. First Nations people make up just 3–4% of the population, yet 33–36% of prisoners. Adult imprisonment rates are 14 times higher than non-Indigenous Australians, and 2025 recorded the highest number of Indigenous deaths in custody since 1979. Decades of Royal Commission recommendations remain largely unimplemented, while systemic discrimination, intergenerational trauma, and socio-economic disadvantage continue to drive incarceration and recidivism.
The First Nations Justice Reform Forum 2026 is designed to tackle this urgent national challenge. Over two days, senior decision-makers, legal leaders, and Aboriginal community-controlled organisations will come together to explore evidence-based, community-led solutions that prevent incarceration, reduce deaths in custody, and strengthen culturally safe justice practices.
This event will equip attendees to:
-
Understand how structural inequality, systemic bias, and trauma drive early justice contact and learn how community-led interventions can disrupt these cycles
-
Explore practical strategies for preventing incarceration, keeping Aboriginal children connected to family and Country, and supporting culturally safe justice processes
-
Gain insight into Aboriginal-led mental health, social and emotional wellbeing programs inside custodial settings that prioritise care over punishment
-
Learn how justice reinvestment, outcomes-focused funding, and community-led alternatives can scale proven programs while shifting resources from incarceration to prevention and healing
Our Grassroots Indigenous Partner
We are partnering with MZB Empowerment and its Chief Executive Officer, Bernice Hookey, a highly respected Indigenous leader and advocate with lived experience of the challenges and issues with the current justice system. Through MZB Empowerment, Bernice works directly with indigenous organisations and communities to break cycles of systemic harm, strengthen cultural inclusion, and foster leadership responsibility for First Nations people.
As Former Lead Facilitator for Yanalangami: Strong Women, Strong Communities, Bernice brings hands-on expertise in community-led initiatives that empower women and strengthen families. Her insights and lived experience are central to shaping the forum’s practical, culturally grounded approaches to justice reform.
Lived Experience: Our program features several speakers with lived experience of justice-related issues who now play an important role in advocating for improved conditions and stronger culturally safe practices within the system. Their perspectives provide invaluable insight and help inform meaningful discussions about reform and progress.
Onsite Experience
Delegate Wellbeing: Recognising the sensitive nature of some topics covered during the conference, a quiet reflection space will be available for attendees who may need time away from the main conference environment.
Why Attend?
On Country Workshop Day
Cultural immersion, reflection and community connection
Join us outside the conference room for a day of cultural immersion, reflection and wellbeing following the first two days of the First Nations Justice Reform Forum. This workshop day offers an opportunity to slow down, connect with culture, and reflect on the important conversations around justice reform taking place across the country.
Participants will take part in hands-on cultural activities and facilitated discussions led by First Nations facilitators and justice leaders. These sessions are designed to support social and emotional wellbeing, encourage meaningful conversations, and deepen understanding of how culture, community leadership and healing approaches can shape justice reform.
