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95
Reduce the incidence of motor vehicle offences
That in jurisdictions where motor vehicle offences are a significant cause of Aboriginal imprisonment the factors relevant to such incidence be identified, and, in conjunction with Aboriginal community organisations, programs be designed to reduce that incidence of offending.
There was no evidence of actions taken in Victoria in relation to this recommendation, and therefore no evidence of outcomes. We believe Recommendation 95 is relevant to Victoria and advocate for investment in Aboriginal-led, community-based driver education and support initiatives.
Aboriginal Justice Caucus Assessment
The intent of Recommendation 95 was to identify factors contributing to motor vehicle offences in jurisdictions where such offences are a significant cause of Aboriginal imprisonment. It also aimed to design programs in collaboration with Aboriginal community organisations to reduce the incidence of these offences.
There was no evidence of actions taken in Victoria in relation to Recommendation 95, and therefore no evidence of outcomes.
The percentage of Aboriginal people in prison with driving offences as their most serious offence reached 4 per cent in 2022, and increasing numbers of Aboriginal people imprisoned for driving offences, with figures ranging between 26 and 28 individuals over the past two years. In addition, the AJC felt that alleged driving offences could play a critical role in bringing young people into contact with police and the criminal justice system, with a range of negative consequences from unemployment to increased involvement with the justice system. The AJC felt this was an issue that seemed to be growing over time.
There's more and more younger offenders coming into contact with police in terms of alleged driving offences, and they could be without licences or suspended licences etc. . . if you don't have a driver's licence it prohibits you from getting jobs. (Robert Nicholls, Chairperson, Hume RAJAC).
I think it's got a higher priority because I think we're just about to see the tip of the iceberg start on this one. (Lawrence Moser, Chairperson, Eastern Metropolitan RAJAC)
Given these concerns, we felt Recommendation 95 was relevant to Victoria and advocated for investment in Aboriginal-led, community-based driver education and support initiatives.
I reckon that's where this is now relevant for Victoria, for Aboriginal community-controlled organisations to be running programmes that are designed to reduce the incidence. I think there is relevance to this. (Lawrence Moser, Chairperson, Eastern Metropolitan RAJAC)
I think it would be the ideal situation if you know Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations could pick up some of this as an education program. (Bobby Nicholls, Chairperson, Hume RAJAC).
The Algabonyah Driver Mentor Program launched by the Rumbalara Football Netball Club in 2021 was cited as a positive example of the kinds of initiatives required to reduce the incidence of motor vehicle offences.
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
Aboriginal-led, community-based programs
Support Aboriginal community-controlled organisations to run programs designed to reduce the incidence of motor vehicle offences.
Background
The Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody (RCIADIC) emphasised that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in remote communities faced significant barriers to obtaining a driving licence. Escalating penalties for offences of this nature – for instance, being charged for driving without a licence, being disqualified from driving as a penalty, and then breaching that disqualification – contributes to a cycle of recidivism. Reducing the incidence of these offences is one means of reducing the number of people being imprisoned.
Actions Taken Since Last Review
Corrections and Justice Services, Annual Prisons Statistical Profile 2013-14 to 2022-23
Analysis of data on the most serious offence for which an individual is imprisoned shows some small changes in the percentage of the Aboriginal population in prison for driving offences. On 30 June 2022, there were 28 Aboriginal people in Victorian prisons for driving offences, accounting for 4 per cent of the Aboriginal prison population at that time.
Despite the broader initiatives undertaken by police and other agencies to address drunk and drug driving, Deloitte's review suggested that these actions did not specifically involve Aboriginal community organisations in their design or implementation. Consequently, there is no evidence that Aboriginal community groups were engaged in creating or tailoring these programs to address the needs of Aboriginal individuals better.
Impact
Outputs
The proportion of Aboriginal people in prison with driving offences as their most serious offence was 3.2 per cent at June 2023, similar to the data quoted in the 2005 Review. However, prison populations have significantly increased over the past two decades. For the past two years, between 26 and 28 Aboriginal people were in prison due to driving offences.
Outcomes
None identified as there weren’t specific initiatives in place to address Recommendation 95 in Victoria.
Community Views
Algabonyah Driver Mentor Program
In May 2021, the Rumbalara Football Netball Club (RFNC) took a significant step towards fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment for First Nations communities in the Goulburn Murray region by launching the ADMP. This initiative stands out as the first driving program in Victoria led by and for First Nations people, marking a critical advancement in culturally sensitive education and support.
The inception of the ADMP was driven by a profound understanding of the unique challenges faced by First Nations individuals in accessing driver education and obtaining a driver’s licence. Recognising the pivotal role that driving plays in enhancing mobility, independence, and access to employment and educational opportunities.
Central to the ADMP’s mission is the goal of empowering First Nations people across all age groups within the Goulburn Murray region by providing them with the necessary resources, support, and mentorship to navigate the journey towards obtaining a learner driver licence and accumulating the 120 hours, 6 months or 3 months of driving experience required for a probationary licence.