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

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Eddie Cubillo

Defending the Defenceless

Indigenous Self-Determination and Legal Services in Australia

Eddie Cubillo

$39.99

Paperback

Forthcoming
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English

MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY PRES
01 February 2026

History; Australasian & Pacific history; Indigenous peoples; Regional government; Political activism; Civil procedure, litigation & dispute resolution

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.

By: Eddie Cubillo
Imprint: MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY PRES
Country of Publication: Australia
Dimensions: Height: 234mm, Width: 153mm,
ISBN: 9780522881714
ISBN 10: 0522881718
Pages: 304
Publication Date: 01 February 2026
Audience: Professional and scholarly , Undergraduate
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

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 now leads the Mabo Centre and serves on the Justice Policy Partnership. Cubillo is also a devoted father and grandfather, and is deeply connected to both urban and rural communities.