❓ Question on Notice regarding Indigenous incarceration rates in WA, focusing on government measures, justice reinvestment, and collaboration with the Commonwealth. The response acknowledges the issue and mentions a review and reallocation of funds, but defers further discussion due to the new federal government.
AnsweredQoN 600Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
INDIGENOUS INCARCERATION RATES
600. Hon ROBIN CHAPPLE to the
Attorney General representing the Minister for Corrective Services:
(1) What
measures is the government taking to address all the drivers of crime in order
to significantly reduce the unacceptable level of imprisonment of Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander people in Western Australia?
(2) Has the
government communicated its support to the commonwealth for the establishment
of an independent central coordinating body for justice reinvestment?
(3) If no to
(2), why not?
(4) Has the
government communicated its willingness to work with the commonwealth to
establish a trial of justice reinvestment in Western Australia using a
place-based approach in at least one remote Aboriginal community and one
metropolitan community?
(5) If no to
(4), why not?
(6) Is it the
government's intention to ensure that any trial actively involves local
communities in the process and that it is conducted on the basis of rigorous
justice mapping over a minimum time frame, and will be subject to a robust
evaluation process?
(7) If no to
(6), why not?
(8) Is it the
government's intention to call on the commonwealth to refer to the
Council of Australian Governments the establishment of justice targets for
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as part of the Closing the Gap
initiative?
(9) If no to
(8), why not?
600. Hon ROBIN CHAPPLE to the
Attorney General representing the Minister for Corrective Services:
(1) What
measures is the government taking to address all the drivers of crime in order
to significantly reduce the unacceptable level of imprisonment of Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander people in Western Australia?
(2) Has the
government communicated its support to the commonwealth for the establishment
of an independent central coordinating body for justice reinvestment?
(3) If no to
(2), why not?
(4) Has the
government communicated its willingness to work with the commonwealth to
establish a trial of justice reinvestment in Western Australia using a
place-based approach in at least one remote Aboriginal community and one
metropolitan community?
(5) If no to
(4), why not?
(6) Is it the
government's intention to ensure that any trial actively involves local
communities in the process and that it is conducted on the basis of rigorous
justice mapping over a minimum time frame, and will be subject to a robust
evaluation process?
(7) If no to
(6), why not?
(8) Is it the
government's intention to call on the commonwealth to refer to the
Council of Australian Governments the establishment of justice targets for
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as part of the Closing the Gap
initiative?
(9) If no to
(8), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Thank you, Mr President; or perhaps, as Hon Col Holt pointed out, because today is
International Talk Like a Pirate Day, I should start off with an ''Arrr!''
Several members
interjected.
The PRESIDENT : That is not unparliamentary, but I am not
sure how to categorise it!
Hon MICHAEL MISCHIN : I answer —
(1) The
Liberal–National government recognises the over-representation of
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the criminal justice system.
The Department of Corrective Services is currently undertaking a review of how
it deals with young people, especially Aboriginal youth, in the juvenile
justice system, with a view to finding more successful diversionary pathways
and approaches, including whole-of-government solutions. The Minister for
Corrective Services has instructed the Department of Corrective Services to
reallocate $2 million to early intervention, prevention and diversion programs
for juvenile offenders.
(2)–(9)
The Abbott federal government was sworn in yesterday. Discussion on these
matters will occur at a future date.
International Talk Like a Pirate Day, I should start off with an ''Arrr!''
Several members
interjected.
The PRESIDENT : That is not unparliamentary, but I am not
sure how to categorise it!
Hon MICHAEL MISCHIN : I answer —
(1) The
Liberal–National government recognises the over-representation of
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the criminal justice system.
The Department of Corrective Services is currently undertaking a review of how
it deals with young people, especially Aboriginal youth, in the juvenile
justice system, with a view to finding more successful diversionary pathways
and approaches, including whole-of-government solutions. The Minister for
Corrective Services has instructed the Department of Corrective Services to
reallocate $2 million to early intervention, prevention and diversion programs
for juvenile offenders.
(2)–(9)
The Abbott federal government was sworn in yesterday. Discussion on these
matters will occur at a future date.
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