Grant for ANU work on native title anthropology
Dr Julie Finlayson and Professor Nicolas Peterson.
The ANU Centre for Native Title Anthropology has received a renewed grant from the Attorney-General's Department to continue its vital work of providing professional development for anthropologists working in native title.
The $565,000 grant will enable the Centre to place a new emphasis on training mid to senior anthropologists to serve as experts witnesses in the Federal Court.
Dr Julie Finlayson, Research Fellow with the Centre, described these skills as essential.
"It's absolutely necessary whether you're a consultant or an in-house employee at a native title representative body to understand what kind of role an anthropologist must play in court as a friend of the court and how to write for the court," she said.
Director of the Centre for Native Title Anthropology, Professor Nicolas Peterson, said that what is required is fairly simple at one level.
"Just answer the questions, keep fact and opinion separate, and be honest, and straightforward," he said.
"But there's also a psychological hurdle, especially amongst younger people.
"The thought of being cross-examined by a ruthless QC who is trying to trap them into inconsistencies, is a psychological and emotional threat."
At present, a void is developing in Australia, with the small set of anthropologists who currently play this role now entering into retirement.
These anthropologists learned how to work with the courts and deliver evidence through repeat experiences and working with lawyers. The Centre will help impart these same skills to younger anthropologists in a more systematic way.
"We're pleased we've had one letter of support from the Federal Court, as is obviously very important that they feel we're doing something useful," Professor Peterson said.
The Centre also received letters of support from Australia's three major native title representative bodies. These bodies help people who lodge a native title claim to research it and see it through.
"It's encouraging that the Attorney-General's Department recognise that what the Centre is doing is valuable, that it's making a difference," Dr Finlayson said.