❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses interpreter services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander defendants in criminal cases and cultural awareness training for judges. The Attorney General acknowledges the importance of understanding court proceedings and commits to developing interpreter services and notes the Chief Justice's actions on cultural awareness.
AnsweredQoN 1109Legislative Council
Asked
22 November 2006
Member
Portfolio
parliamentary secretary representing the Attorney General
QuestionView source ↗
INTERPRETER SERVICES - ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDERS
I refer to the use of interpreter services for Aboriginal people of Torres Strait Island descent in criminal matters. (1) How many defendants of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island descent have requested interpreter services in criminal cases over the past 12 months? (2) In how many of these cases was an interpreter provided? (3) Does the Attorney General acknowledge that the inability to understand court proceedings is likely to have a major impact on a defendant? (4) Will the Attorney General ensure that interpreters are provided in all cases? (5) Will the Attorney General ensure that all judges receive Aboriginal cultural awareness training? Hon SUE ELLERY
I refer to the use of interpreter services for Aboriginal people of Torres Strait Island descent in criminal matters. (1) How many defendants of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island descent have requested interpreter services in criminal cases over the past 12 months? (2) In how many of these cases was an interpreter provided? (3) Does the Attorney General acknowledge that the inability to understand court proceedings is likely to have a major impact on a defendant? (4) Will the Attorney General ensure that interpreters are provided in all cases? (5) Will the Attorney General ensure that all judges receive Aboriginal cultural awareness training? Hon SUE ELLERY
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1)-(2) This information is not recorded in computer-based court case management systems (3) Yes. (4) The Law Reform Commission has recognised the need for a statewide Aboriginal languages interpreter service, and the Attorney General is committed to injecting more resources into developing interpreters who are trained in the court process, especially in regional areas. (5) The Chief Justice has appointed an Aboriginal advisory officer, whose duties include providing cultural awareness training to all judges.
(1) How many defendants of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island descent have requested interpreter services in criminal cases over the past 12 months? (2) In how many of these cases was an interpreter provided? (3) Does the Attorney General acknowledge that the inability to understand court proceedings is likely to have a major impact on a defendant? (4) Will the Attorney General ensure that interpreters are provided in all cases? (5) Will the Attorney General ensure that all judges receive Aboriginal cultural awareness training? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1)-(2) This information is not recorded in computer-based court case management systems (3) Yes. (4) The Law Reform Commission has recognised the need for a statewide Aboriginal languages interpreter service, and the Attorney General is committed to injecting more resources into developing interpreters who are trained in the court process, especially in regional areas. (5) The Chief Justice has appointed an Aboriginal advisory officer, whose duties include providing cultural awareness training to all judges.
(2) In how many of these cases was an interpreter provided? (3) Does the Attorney General acknowledge that the inability to understand court proceedings is likely to have a major impact on a defendant? (4) Will the Attorney General ensure that interpreters are provided in all cases? (5) Will the Attorney General ensure that all judges receive Aboriginal cultural awareness training? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1)-(2) This information is not recorded in computer-based court case management systems (3) Yes. (4) The Law Reform Commission has recognised the need for a statewide Aboriginal languages interpreter service, and the Attorney General is committed to injecting more resources into developing interpreters who are trained in the court process, especially in regional areas. (5) The Chief Justice has appointed an Aboriginal advisory officer, whose duties include providing cultural awareness training to all judges.
(3) Does the Attorney General acknowledge that the inability to understand court proceedings is likely to have a major impact on a defendant? (4) Will the Attorney General ensure that interpreters are provided in all cases? (5) Will the Attorney General ensure that all judges receive Aboriginal cultural awareness training? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1)-(2) This information is not recorded in computer-based court case management systems (3) Yes. (4) The Law Reform Commission has recognised the need for a statewide Aboriginal languages interpreter service, and the Attorney General is committed to injecting more resources into developing interpreters who are trained in the court process, especially in regional areas. (5) The Chief Justice has appointed an Aboriginal advisory officer, whose duties include providing cultural awareness training to all judges.
(4) Will the Attorney General ensure that interpreters are provided in all cases? (5) Will the Attorney General ensure that all judges receive Aboriginal cultural awareness training? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1)-(2) This information is not recorded in computer-based court case management systems (3) Yes. (4) The Law Reform Commission has recognised the need for a statewide Aboriginal languages interpreter service, and the Attorney General is committed to injecting more resources into developing interpreters who are trained in the court process, especially in regional areas. (5) The Chief Justice has appointed an Aboriginal advisory officer, whose duties include providing cultural awareness training to all judges.
(5) Will the Attorney General ensure that all judges receive Aboriginal cultural awareness training? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1)-(2) This information is not recorded in computer-based court case management systems (3) Yes. (4) The Law Reform Commission has recognised the need for a statewide Aboriginal languages interpreter service, and the Attorney General is committed to injecting more resources into developing interpreters who are trained in the court process, especially in regional areas. (5) The Chief Justice has appointed an Aboriginal advisory officer, whose duties include providing cultural awareness training to all judges.
Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1)-(2) This information is not recorded in computer-based court case management systems (3) Yes. (4) The Law Reform Commission has recognised the need for a statewide Aboriginal languages interpreter service, and the Attorney General is committed to injecting more resources into developing interpreters who are trained in the court process, especially in regional areas. (5) The Chief Justice has appointed an Aboriginal advisory officer, whose duties include providing cultural awareness training to all judges.
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1)-(2) This information is not recorded in computer-based court case management systems (3) Yes. (4) The Law Reform Commission has recognised the need for a statewide Aboriginal languages interpreter service, and the Attorney General is committed to injecting more resources into developing interpreters who are trained in the court process, especially in regional areas. (5) The Chief Justice has appointed an Aboriginal advisory officer, whose duties include providing cultural awareness training to all judges.
(1)-(2) This information is not recorded in computer-based court case management systems (3) Yes. (4) The Law Reform Commission has recognised the need for a statewide Aboriginal languages interpreter service, and the Attorney General is committed to injecting more resources into developing interpreters who are trained in the court process, especially in regional areas. (5) The Chief Justice has appointed an Aboriginal advisory officer, whose duties include providing cultural awareness training to all judges.
(3) Yes. (4) The Law Reform Commission has recognised the need for a statewide Aboriginal languages interpreter service, and the Attorney General is committed to injecting more resources into developing interpreters who are trained in the court process, especially in regional areas. (5) The Chief Justice has appointed an Aboriginal advisory officer, whose duties include providing cultural awareness training to all judges.
(4) The Law Reform Commission has recognised the need for a statewide Aboriginal languages interpreter service, and the Attorney General is committed to injecting more resources into developing interpreters who are trained in the court process, especially in regional areas. (5) The Chief Justice has appointed an Aboriginal advisory officer, whose duties include providing cultural awareness training to all judges.
(5) The Chief Justice has appointed an Aboriginal advisory officer, whose duties include providing cultural awareness training to all judges.
(1) How many defendants of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island descent have requested interpreter services in criminal cases over the past 12 months? (2) In how many of these cases was an interpreter provided? (3) Does the Attorney General acknowledge that the inability to understand court proceedings is likely to have a major impact on a defendant? (4) Will the Attorney General ensure that interpreters are provided in all cases? (5) Will the Attorney General ensure that all judges receive Aboriginal cultural awareness training? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1)-(2) This information is not recorded in computer-based court case management systems (3) Yes. (4) The Law Reform Commission has recognised the need for a statewide Aboriginal languages interpreter service, and the Attorney General is committed to injecting more resources into developing interpreters who are trained in the court process, especially in regional areas. (5) The Chief Justice has appointed an Aboriginal advisory officer, whose duties include providing cultural awareness training to all judges.
(2) In how many of these cases was an interpreter provided? (3) Does the Attorney General acknowledge that the inability to understand court proceedings is likely to have a major impact on a defendant? (4) Will the Attorney General ensure that interpreters are provided in all cases? (5) Will the Attorney General ensure that all judges receive Aboriginal cultural awareness training? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1)-(2) This information is not recorded in computer-based court case management systems (3) Yes. (4) The Law Reform Commission has recognised the need for a statewide Aboriginal languages interpreter service, and the Attorney General is committed to injecting more resources into developing interpreters who are trained in the court process, especially in regional areas. (5) The Chief Justice has appointed an Aboriginal advisory officer, whose duties include providing cultural awareness training to all judges.
(3) Does the Attorney General acknowledge that the inability to understand court proceedings is likely to have a major impact on a defendant? (4) Will the Attorney General ensure that interpreters are provided in all cases? (5) Will the Attorney General ensure that all judges receive Aboriginal cultural awareness training? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1)-(2) This information is not recorded in computer-based court case management systems (3) Yes. (4) The Law Reform Commission has recognised the need for a statewide Aboriginal languages interpreter service, and the Attorney General is committed to injecting more resources into developing interpreters who are trained in the court process, especially in regional areas. (5) The Chief Justice has appointed an Aboriginal advisory officer, whose duties include providing cultural awareness training to all judges.
(4) Will the Attorney General ensure that interpreters are provided in all cases? (5) Will the Attorney General ensure that all judges receive Aboriginal cultural awareness training? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1)-(2) This information is not recorded in computer-based court case management systems (3) Yes. (4) The Law Reform Commission has recognised the need for a statewide Aboriginal languages interpreter service, and the Attorney General is committed to injecting more resources into developing interpreters who are trained in the court process, especially in regional areas. (5) The Chief Justice has appointed an Aboriginal advisory officer, whose duties include providing cultural awareness training to all judges.
(5) Will the Attorney General ensure that all judges receive Aboriginal cultural awareness training? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1)-(2) This information is not recorded in computer-based court case management systems (3) Yes. (4) The Law Reform Commission has recognised the need for a statewide Aboriginal languages interpreter service, and the Attorney General is committed to injecting more resources into developing interpreters who are trained in the court process, especially in regional areas. (5) The Chief Justice has appointed an Aboriginal advisory officer, whose duties include providing cultural awareness training to all judges.
Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1)-(2) This information is not recorded in computer-based court case management systems (3) Yes. (4) The Law Reform Commission has recognised the need for a statewide Aboriginal languages interpreter service, and the Attorney General is committed to injecting more resources into developing interpreters who are trained in the court process, especially in regional areas. (5) The Chief Justice has appointed an Aboriginal advisory officer, whose duties include providing cultural awareness training to all judges.
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1)-(2) This information is not recorded in computer-based court case management systems (3) Yes. (4) The Law Reform Commission has recognised the need for a statewide Aboriginal languages interpreter service, and the Attorney General is committed to injecting more resources into developing interpreters who are trained in the court process, especially in regional areas. (5) The Chief Justice has appointed an Aboriginal advisory officer, whose duties include providing cultural awareness training to all judges.
(1)-(2) This information is not recorded in computer-based court case management systems (3) Yes. (4) The Law Reform Commission has recognised the need for a statewide Aboriginal languages interpreter service, and the Attorney General is committed to injecting more resources into developing interpreters who are trained in the court process, especially in regional areas. (5) The Chief Justice has appointed an Aboriginal advisory officer, whose duties include providing cultural awareness training to all judges.
(3) Yes. (4) The Law Reform Commission has recognised the need for a statewide Aboriginal languages interpreter service, and the Attorney General is committed to injecting more resources into developing interpreters who are trained in the court process, especially in regional areas. (5) The Chief Justice has appointed an Aboriginal advisory officer, whose duties include providing cultural awareness training to all judges.
(4) The Law Reform Commission has recognised the need for a statewide Aboriginal languages interpreter service, and the Attorney General is committed to injecting more resources into developing interpreters who are trained in the court process, especially in regional areas. (5) The Chief Justice has appointed an Aboriginal advisory officer, whose duties include providing cultural awareness training to all judges.
(5) The Chief Justice has appointed an Aboriginal advisory officer, whose duties include providing cultural awareness training to all judges.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.