Hon Giz Watson inquires about access to interpreters for Aboriginal people, parity with migrant language services, and monitoring of policy implementation across government sectors. The response redirects responsibility for Indigenous interpreting to the Department of Indigenous Affairs and affirms existing policy requirements for government agencies.

AnsweredQoN 234Legislative Council
Asked
10 March 2009
Portfolio
Citizenship and Multicultural Interests

QuestionView source ↗

(1) How are interpreters to be accessed by service providers to Aboriginal people in locations that -
(a) have no Aboriginal Language Centre; and
(b) have an Aboriginal Language Centre but no available interpreter for the relevant language?
(2) Will the Government ensure that the development of interpreting services in Aboriginal languages is brought to at least the same level as the development of these services for migrants?
(3) If yes to (2), how and within what time frame?
(4) If no to (2), why not?
(5) Will the Government monitor and evaluate the level of implementation of the Policy in respect of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people by -
(a) police;
(b) courts; and
(c) Government services, particularly health services?
(6) If yes to (5), by what criteria and how frequently?
(7) If no to (5), why not?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
7 April 2009
Responded by
Minister for Energy representing the Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Interests
Response time
28 days
(1-4) The Office of Multicultural Interests is responsible for the development and dissemination of the Western Australian Language Services Policy.
Questions concerning Indigenous interpreting, Aboriginal Language Centres, and issues concerning access to services should be addressed to the Department of Indigenous Affairs.
(5-7) All government agencies are required to implement the Western Australian Language Services Policy by providing translating and interpreting services for clients. This includes monitoring and evaluation of the service delivery.
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