Eddie Cubillo

Dr. Eddie Cubillo is an Aboriginal lawyer and academic affiliated with the University of Melbourne's Melbourne Law School, where he serves as Director of the Indigenous Law and Justice Hub. He holds a PhD from UTS (completed 2022) focusing on self-determination in Indigenous legal service provision. His work centers on Indigenous governance, justice systems, and advocating for First Nations peoples' rights.

Education:

• PhD in Law, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), 2022

Key Roles and Affiliations:

• Former Chair of North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA)
• Anti-Discrimination Commissioner of the Northern Territory (2010)
• Executive Officer, National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Legal Service (NATSILS)
• Co-Chair, Indigenous Governance Awards (Reconciliation Australia)

Research Interests:

Dr. Cubillo specializes in Indigenous legal frameworks, self-determination, and systemic justice reforms. His work intersects law, policy, and community engagement to address disparities in legal service delivery for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. He emphasizes culturally appropriate governance models and anti-discrimination advocacy.

Awards:

• UTS Chancellor's Award (2022) for his groundbreaking thesis on self-determination in Indigenous legal services
• National Indigenous Legal Professional of the Year (2015)

Advisory and Advocacy Work:

He led community engagement for the Royal Commission into the Protection and Detention of Children in the NT (2017). Currently advises the Victorian Treaty Authority and contributes to Closing the Gap policy initiatives.

Labs/Teams:

Leads the Indigenous Law and Justice Hub, a multidisciplinary initiative advancing Indigenous legal knowledge and policy impact.