On 4 August 2022, the Senate referred an inquiry into missing and murdered First Nations women and children to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee for inquiry.
On 3 August 2023, the Committee's reporting date was extended to 30 June 2024.
Further details about the scope of the inquiry is provided in the terms of reference.
Submissions may be provided as a written document, audio or video file, or piece of art.
The submission closing date is 12 December 2022.
The committee asks submitters to consider the terms of reference and provide a submission that directly addresses one or more term of reference. You should carefully consider the appropriateness of providing personal information and documents, such as names, birthdates, medical records, birth certificates, death certificates, coroner’s reports, police records, court records and documents, and/or child protection records and documents.
Where a submission reflects adversely on another party (for example, makes allegations of a serious nature such as incompetence, negligence, corruption or criminal conduct), the committee is generally required to provide that party access to the submission and an opportunity to respond. The committee may decline to accept or decline to publish a submission that contains adverse reflections. In particular, the committee may consider it inappropriate to publish any adverse reflection upon a named individual.
Given the sensitive nature of the inquiry, all submissions from private individuals/private citizens will be published as ‘name withheld’, unless the submitter explicitly requests that their name is published. Name withheld submissions are published on the inquiry webpage but with the submitter’s name (and other identifying details, if necessary) removed.
You may also elect that the whole of your submission is received confidentially in which case neither the submission nor the submitter’s name are published. In this case, your submission will only be available to committee members and the secretariat. If you would like your submission to be received confidentially, please clearly say so at the time of making your submission, outlining the reason(s) for your request.
Lifeline: 13 11 14
13 Yarn: 13 92 76
1800Respect: 1800 737 732
Beyond Blue: 1300 222 636
Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800
MensLine Australia: 1300 789 978
Blue Knot: 1300 657 380
Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467
Headspace
Committee Secretariat contact:
Committee Secretary
Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee
PO Box 6100
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Phone: +61 2 6277 3560
FirstNationswomenchildren.sen@aph.gov.au