Defending the Defenceless: Indigenous Self-Determination and Legal Services in Australia - Softcover

Cubillo, Eddie

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0522883044 ISBN 13: 9780522883046

Publisher: Melbourne University Press, 2026

Synopsis

Foreword by Gary Foley.

For generations, Indigenous peoples in Australia have faced systemic barriers to justice and are often denied the right to determine their own legal and cultural futures. Defending the Defenceless is a powerful exploration of Indigenous self-determination within the legal system, offering a deeply personal and critical perspective on the intersection of law, identity and advocacy.

Drawing from lived experience, community leadership and academic expertise, Eddie Cubillo examines the challenges and triumphs of Indigenous legal services, exposing the structural inequalities that persist while highlighting pathways toward meaningful change. Through innovative methodologies and compelling storytelling, this book is both a vital scholarly contribution and an urgent call to action.

Engaging, thought-provoking and deeply rooted in the realities of Indigenous justice, Defending the Defenceless is essential reading for scholars, legal practitioners, policymakers and anyone committed to truth, justice and Indigenous rights in Australia.

About this title

About the Author

Professor Eddie Cubillo, a proud descendant of the Larrakia, Wadjigan and Central Arrernte peoples of the Northern Territory, is a leading advocate for Indigenous justice. With a background in law and policy, he has held key roles across legal, academic and community sectors. Formerly director of the Indigenous Law and Justice Hub, Cubillo is continuing his research into the relationship between Indigenous peoples and the legal system, the transformation of legal education, and the role of Indigenous governance and community-controlled justice. Eddie is also a devoted father, grandfather, and is deeply connected to both urban and rural communities.

Edition details

• Publisher: Melbourne University Press
• Publication date: 2026
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0522883044
• ISBN 13: 9780522883046
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 304