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3
Secretariat for Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committee
The Commission notes that some of the recommendations of this report, particularly those relating to the custodial environment, are particularly detailed. The monitoring of the implementation of recommendations could only be carried out in close liaison with the authorities responsible for implementing them. In order to ensure that the State Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committee is able to give informed advice to the Attorney-General or Minister for Justice, it should be assisted by a small Secretariat, staffed by people with knowledge of Aboriginal interactions with the criminal justice system. The role of the Secretariat should be to provide information to the Advisory Committee, assist it in the development of policy proposals, and liaise on behalf (and at the direction of) the Committee with other agencies. The Secretariat should be located within the Department of Attorney-General or Minister for Justice but be accountable to the Advisory Committee on terms to be negotiated between government and Aboriginal people but with the maximum degree of autonomy from government as may be consistent with it fulfilling its function to assist the Advisory Committee to give informed, independent advice to government.
Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research
The evidence is settled that self-determination is the only strategy that has generated the sustainable wellbeing – cultural, physical, spiritual, economic and social – that Aboriginal communities and the broader community desire. Self-determination relates to the capacity of the Aboriginal community itself to determine its preferred future and to create the human, institutional and financial infrastructure to bring those aspirations into being.
Aboriginal Justice Caucus Assessment
The intent of Recommendation 3 was to form a secretariat to support the Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committee.
Actions taken fully align with the intent in that an independent Secretariat exists to provide information to the AJC, assist us with the development of policy proposals, and liaise on our behalf with other agencies.
The Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody (RCIADIC) recognised the benefit of the Secretariat being accountable to the Advisory Committee and having the maximum degree of autonomy from government to assist the Advisory Committee to give informed, independent advice to government. Action taken in Victoria has contributed towards this outcome, with our Secretariat located within an Aboriginal community-controlled organisation as determined by us. Our AJC Secretariat has autonomy from government to fulfil its functions as envisaged in Recommendation 3.
Although funding for the Secretariat had increased over time, so too have our support requirements given increased involvement in justice reforms. To meet the increasing number of government requests for engagement, advice, and policy submissions, additional resources are required.
Recommendation 3 remains highly relevant as the Secretariat is fundamental to the functioning of the AJC, particularly as the breadth and scope of matters that we are involved with increases over time. Greater investment in the Secretariat would increase the capacity of the AJC to hold government agencies to account on their implementation of RCIADIC recommendations, and contribute to reducing incarceration, improving custodial care and progressing Aboriginal self-determination.
Priority for Further Work:
Moderate
Relevance and potential impact | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Low (0-2) | Moderate (3-4) | High (5-6) | |||
Extent of action taken and evidence of outcomes | High (5-6) | ||||
Moderate (3-4) | |||||
Low (0-2) | |||||
Potential Actions for Further Work
Additional funding for AJC Secretariat
Provide additional funding for the AJC Secretariat to support the engagement of the Aboriginal Justice Caucus in more justice system reform projects.
Background
The Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody (RCIADIC) emphasised the importance of establishing an independent Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committee (AJAC) in each State and Territory to capture the views of Aboriginal people and advise governments on implementation of recommendations.
The RCIADIC recommended a Secretariat be formed to create a strong connection between the AJAC and the Attorney-General or Minister for Justice or their equivalent in each jurisdiction. By forming this connection, the Commission intended for the Secretariat to act as a negotiator between the two bodies and to monitor implementation of recommendations.
Actions Taken Since Last Review
Aboriginal Justice Caucus Secretariat
Secretariat support for the Koori Caucus transitioned out of the KJU and into an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation. Initially funding was provided for a Koori Caucus Executive Officer located in VACSAL.
In developing AJA4, the Aboriginal Justice Caucus (AJC) emphasised the need for further independent support to enable the Caucus to increase their participate and leadership in government processes, policy and program design in line with Victorian Government commitments to enable greater Aboriginal self-determination.
Funding announced in August 2018 to support the implementation of Burra Lotjpa Dunguludja (AJA4) included additional resources for the Aboriginal Justice Caucus Secretariat to enable employment of an Executive Officer, Policy Officer and Administration Officer.
Impact
Outcomes
Under AJA4 funding was provided to support the AJC to increase their participation and justice leadership role in government processes, policy and program design. This funding supports employment of the AJC Secretariat comprising an Executive Officer, Policy Officer and Administrative Officer located in VACSAL. This funding is ongoing, however increasing requests for AJC engagement, advice and policy submissions means the existing resources are stretched and not all requests can be accommodated.
Community Views
Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research
The evidence is settled that self-determination is the only strategy that has generated the sustainable wellbeing – cultural, physical, spiritual, economic and social – that Aboriginal communities and the broader community desire. Self-determination relates to the capacity of the Aboriginal community itself to determine its preferred future and to create the human, institutional and financial infrastructure to bring those aspirations into being.