The various Attorneys General have endorsed the National Indigenous Law and Justice Framework in a bid to solve the problem.

This framework represents the first nationally agreed approach to Indigenous law and justice.

Developed by the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General Indigenous Justice Working Group, the Framework forms a response to the many issues that drive Indigenous disadvantage in law and justice, the attorneys said last week.

The Framework aims to reduce the overrepresentation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the criminal justice system by focusing on community safety and reducing rates of alcohol and substance related crime.

It will form the basis of a long-term strategic approach to Indigenous law and justice issues and support work being done to “close the gap on Indigenous disadvantage”, federal Attorney General Robert McClelland said in a statement.

In endorsing the Framework, the Australian governments have collectively affirmed their commitment to tacking the serious and complex issues that mark the interaction between Indigenous Australians and the justice system, the Attorney said.

The endorsement came as commonwealth, state and territory attorneys-general, indigenous affairs ministers, police ministers and police commissioners met last week for an indigenous justice roundtable.

Ministers agreed to work together to improve policing, respond to alcohol abuse, strengthen the co-ordination of service delivery, and better support Indigenous victims of crime.

At the roundtable, ministers and commissioners were briefed by a range of Indigenous and law and justice representatives about the urgent need for additional efforts by all governments to improve the safety of Indigenous people living in remote, regional and urban areas.