Ms Walker questions the Attorney General's decision to reappoint Magistrate Bloemen, prompting a defense of Bloemen's innovative approach to Aboriginal justice in the Kimberley region. The Attorney General defends the reappointment, highlighting Bloemen's unique approach to addressing underlying issues of Aboriginal offending.

AnsweredQoN 832Legislative Assembly
Asked
1 November 2006
Portfolio
Attorney General

QuestionView source ↗

MAGISTRATE BLOEMEN - KIMBERLEY REGION COURT HEARINGS
I have a supplementary question. Attorney General - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the members for Bassendean, Swan Hills and Victoria Park to order. Ms S.E. WALKER : Does the Attorney General now think that his decision to reappoint Magistrate Bloemen was a mistake? Mr J.A. McGINTY

AnswerView source ↗

Magistrate Bloemen is an innovative person who deals with matters affecting Aboriginal justice in a way that is designed to look at some of the underlying problems of offending and in a way that other judicial officers in this state have not been prepared to do. Some of his activities are legendary. Given the Kimberley’s crime problems, a magistrate who is prepared to try something different to divert young Aboriginal offenders from a life of crime should be applauded by this house.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the members for Bassendean, Swan Hills and Victoria Park to order. Ms S.E. WALKER : Does the Attorney General now think that his decision to reappoint Magistrate Bloemen was a mistake? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: Magistrate Bloemen is an innovative person who deals with matters affecting Aboriginal justice in a way that is designed to look at some of the underlying problems of offending and in a way that other judicial officers in this state have not been prepared to do. Some of his activities are legendary. Given the Kimberley’s crime problems, a magistrate who is prepared to try something different to divert young Aboriginal offenders from a life of crime should be applauded by this house.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! I call the members for Bassendean, Swan Hills and Victoria Park to order. Ms S.E. WALKER : Does the Attorney General now think that his decision to reappoint Magistrate Bloemen was a mistake? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: Magistrate Bloemen is an innovative person who deals with matters affecting Aboriginal justice in a way that is designed to look at some of the underlying problems of offending and in a way that other judicial officers in this state have not been prepared to do. Some of his activities are legendary. Given the Kimberley’s crime problems, a magistrate who is prepared to try something different to divert young Aboriginal offenders from a life of crime should be applauded by this house.
Ms S.E. WALKER : Does the Attorney General now think that his decision to reappoint Magistrate Bloemen was a mistake? Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: Magistrate Bloemen is an innovative person who deals with matters affecting Aboriginal justice in a way that is designed to look at some of the underlying problems of offending and in a way that other judicial officers in this state have not been prepared to do. Some of his activities are legendary. Given the Kimberley’s crime problems, a magistrate who is prepared to try something different to divert young Aboriginal offenders from a life of crime should be applauded by this house.
Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: Magistrate Bloemen is an innovative person who deals with matters affecting Aboriginal justice in a way that is designed to look at some of the underlying problems of offending and in a way that other judicial officers in this state have not been prepared to do. Some of his activities are legendary. Given the Kimberley’s crime problems, a magistrate who is prepared to try something different to divert young Aboriginal offenders from a life of crime should be applauded by this house.
Magistrate Bloemen is an innovative person who deals with matters affecting Aboriginal justice in a way that is designed to look at some of the underlying problems of offending and in a way that other judicial officers in this state have not been prepared to do. Some of his activities are legendary. Given the Kimberley’s crime problems, a magistrate who is prepared to try something different to divert young Aboriginal offenders from a life of crime should be applauded by this house.

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