A question regarding the absence of an Aboriginal Liaison Officer (ALO) in Bunbury and the possibility of transferring cases to Perth to access ALO services. The answer clarifies the ALO program's priority locations and confirms no current plans to extend the program to Bunbury.

AnsweredQoN 2065Legislative Council
Asked
23 October 2014
Portfolio
Attorney General

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to Aboriginal liaison officers appointed to provide guidance to Aboriginal people attending court, and I ask: (a) why is there no Aboriginal liaison officer in Bunbury; (b) can residents living in the South West choose to have their matter transferred to the Perth Magistrate Court to access an Aboriginal liaison officer; (c) in each of 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14, how many Aboriginal offenders appeared before the following courts: (i) Bunbury; (ii) Busselton; and (iii) Albany; (d) in each of 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14, how many offenders appeared before the following courts: (i) Bunbury; (ii) Busselton; and (iii) Albany; and (e) when will Aboriginal liaison officers be extended to Bunbury?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
2 December 2014
Response time
40 days
Answer
(a) The Aboriginal Liaison Officer (ALO) program appointments have been made to priority locations at Kununurra, Broome, South Hedland, Carnarvon, Albany, and to the Perth Magistrates Court and Perth Children's Court.
(b) If a person wants to transfer their matter to another location they need to apply to the court for such an order.
(c) The figures provided refer to the number of Aboriginal people listed to appear for court on a given day. They include people who identify themselves as Aboriginals, Torres Strait Islanders and people of both ethnicities.
(i)2011/12 - 1341, 2012/13 - 1317, 2013/14 (As at 26 November 2014) - 1260
(ii)2011/12 - 180, 2012/13 - 212, 2013/14 (As at 26 November 2014) - 198
(iii)2011/12 - 773, 2012/13 - 793, 2013/14 (As at 26 November 2014) - 821
(d) The figures provided refer to the number of people listed to appear for court on a given day
(i) 2011/12 - 6072, 2012/13 - 5754, 2013/14 (As at 26 November 2014) - 6095
(ii) 2011/12 - 1718, 2012/13 - 1607, 2013/14 (As at 26 November 2014) - 1787
(iii) 2011/12 - 2840, 2012/13 - 2655, 2013/14 (As at 26 November 2014) - 2747
(e)  There is no plan to appoint an ALO to Bunbury.

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