Launch of the National Bench Book

On the 8th of July 2026, the National Bench Book on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and the Legal System was officially launched at UTS’ Guthrie Theatre. 

The Bench Book was formulated through countless consultations with communities to gauge the relationship between First Nations people and the legal system; to ensure that First Nations’ voices were at the centre. 

Michelle Toy emphasised how a lack of understanding of the judicial system shapes First Nations people’s experience within it, and, conversely, how a lack of understanding and cultural sensitivity by legal practitioners shapes sentencing and judgements in First Nations cases. 

Having taken close to ten years to realise from concept to publication, the Bench Book stands as a project of great significance. The Bench Book is a living document which relies upon feedback- providing chapters of storytelling, case summaries, Indigenous-led critiques and additional resources. 

In attendance were the Honourable Justice Dina Yehia and Tony McAvoy SC, two titans of their field- the latter specialising in native title and land rights. Justice Yehia stated that the Bench Book was a ‘Mammoth and Historic Achievement, [it is] a comprehensive resource’. 

Alongside utilising First Nations perspectives to cover criminal law, native title, and intellectual property, just to name a few, Justice Yehia believes that the resource aligns with other ongoing projects and initiatives in the justice system. A work of this collaborative force demonstrates the achievements of ‘working together rather than working in silos’. 

Tony McAvoy SC concluded the launch by underscoring the Bench Book’s legislative significance and its practical application. McAvoy drew on several landmark cases, ‘relics of the system brought here,’ a system that ruled Aboriginal people incompetent to testify due to a misguided belief of an absence of faith in God and divine sanction from lying under oath.