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UWA Publishing title The Native Title Market is on the shortlist for the 2009 Human Rights Award in Literature Non-fiction.

Author David Ritter worked as a native title lawyer for more than 14 years and as a commentator and analyst.

His new release challenges the popular and convenient myths that have emerged about native title agreement making and is the first to be written about native title negotiations by an adviser on some of the largest native title deals in Australia.

UWAP Director Terri-ann White commended Mr Ritter and all those involved in the production of this very important work of social commentary.

Human Rights Commission President Cathy Branson, said the shortlists were judged from more than 200 high-quality entries nominated from around Australia.  "I congratulate all those who entered the Awards for their outstanding commitment to protecting and promoting human rights in Australia and, in particular, I congratulate those entrants who have been shortlisted," she said.

David Ritter graduated from UWA Faculty of Law in 1994.  He was Principal Legal Officer and Operational Services Director at the Yamatji Land and Sea Council Aboriginal native title representative body and was made Visiting Fellow to the Faculty in 2004.

After being awarded a significant research grant by the Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, he joined the Faculty on a full time basis, researching and lecturing.

Mr Ritter has appeared on ABC Radio National and written for the Australian Financial Review and more than 20 refereed scholarly papers.

The winners will be announced in Sydney, on December 10.

Media references

Sylvia Defendi (UWA Publishing)  (+61 8)  6488 6804 / (+61 4) 17 967 415
Janine MacDonald (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 5563 / (+61 4) 32 637 716