❓ Analysis of a WA parliamentary question regarding the implementation and funding of the Western Australian Languages Services Policy across agencies within the Minister's departments. The response details policies, expenditure, and situations where interpreters and translators are used by the Office of Multicultural Interests, Heritage Council, and Metropolitan Cemeteries Board.
AnsweredQoN 6482Legislative Assembly
Asked
1 November 2011
Member
Portfolio
Local Government; Heritage; Citizenship and Multicultural Interests
QuestionView source ↗
In relation to the Western Australian Languages Services Policy, launched by Premier Colin Barnett in 2008, which states that Government agencies are required to have policies for funding and delivering translating and interpreting services that take account of relevant Government policy, legal circumstances and the needs of potential and current clients, I ask:
(a) what policies in each agency in the Minister’s departments have been implemented, and when;
(b) what funding and expenditure has been incurred since 2008 on translation and interpreting services by which agencies and to whom was the funding paid;
(c) can the Minister please table all policies which have been produced and are readily available to agency staff and clients; and
(d) in each agency, can the Minister please list which situations have been identified where interpreters and translators must, should or may be used?
(a) what policies in each agency in the Minister’s departments have been implemented, and when;
(b) what funding and expenditure has been incurred since 2008 on translation and interpreting services by which agencies and to whom was the funding paid;
(c) can the Minister please table all policies which have been produced and are readily available to agency staff and clients; and
(d) in each agency, can the Minister please list which situations have been identified where interpreters and translators must, should or may be used?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
1 December 2011
Responded by
Minister for Local Government; Heritage; Citizenship and Multicultural Interests
Response time
30 days
(c) The Western Australian Language Services Policy 2008 , available at: http://www.omi.wa.gov.au/resources/publications/Languages/language_services_2008.pdf (d) The Department requires that interpreters must be used for people who are not able to communicate proficiently in English. This mostly relates to people who are participating in consultations as part of OMI's Community Engagement Strategy and any other consultation processes. The Department has identified that translations must be provided in selected languages for key documents such as: · Information about the office which is available on the OMI website at: http://www.omi.wa.gov.au/resources/translations/ · Information for Communities - a brochure advising members of the community about their right to request interpreting services from WA public sector agencies, and how to use the WA Interpreter Card, which is available for download from the OMI website at: http://www.omi.wa.gov.au/resources/publications/Languages/information_for_communities.pdf Heritage Council of Western Australia (a) The Office of Heritage implemented a Language Services Policy on 31 December 2010. (b) Nil (c) Yes (d) No situations have been identified in the Office of Heritage where interpreters and translators must, should or may be used. Metropolitan Cemeteries Board (a) The Board's Customer Service Charter was developed in 2002 and revised in 2011. The Charter provides clear information in the Australian Government's interpreting services (TIS) and how clients may access this service. The Charter also provides advice on services for the hearing impaired. Since August 2011, when corresponding with communities of a non-English speaking background, the Board includes a "Translation assistance letter", translated into numerous languages, which details how clients may access translation services. The Board's Disability Access and Inclusion Plan 2007 has been revised during 2011, and outlines the support services for people with disabilities. (b) A total of $2673.00 has been spent on interpreting services since January 1 2008. This amount has been solely for the translation of the written word into various languages. Translation services have been provided by Translators International. (c) The Board's Customer Service Charter is readily available to agency staff and clients through hard copy and the Board's website. The Board's "Translation assistance letter attachment" is readily available to all staff to use with relevant correspondence. The Board's Disability Access and Inclusion Plan 2011 is readily available to agency staff and clients through hard copy and the Board website. (d) Board staff frequently meet with clients for memorial appointments, where options for memorial appointments are explained. Some families may require translation support in these situations. Given the nature of the appointments, family members often attend to assist with translation. The Board will arrange for interpreters if requested. The Board employs Italian speaking staff who have assisted in these situations. The Croatian and Italian community demonstrate a preference for mausoleums and to assist in this area, mausoleum related publications have been produced in these languages. Periodically, the Board corresponds with clients from communities of a non-English speaking background. The Board includes a "Translation assistance letter", translated into numerous languages, which details how clients may access translation services. The Board holds masses throughout the year for the Italian community - translators are provided for these events. Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on http://www.rtlib.com
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