Wednesday, 22 March 2023

Ministers statements: Aboriginal Justice Forum

Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:18): I would like to use the opportunity to update the house on my attendance at the Aboriginal Justice Forum held in Bendigo last Friday. Firstly I want to acknowledge the extraordinary strength and resilience of all Aboriginal people and communities across Victoria and note the importance of the Yoorrook Justice Commission truth-telling and justice hearings. The Aboriginal justice agreement is a 23-year partnership between the Victorian government and the Aboriginal community in the spirit of strengthening Aboriginal self-determination. The AJF brings Aboriginal voices together with the government and key operational and policy directors in the justice system, including police, courts and government departments.

I am pleased to report that last Friday was the 64th AJF. I briefed the forum on the government’s priorities and commitment to bail reform, a matter that has of course been on the AJF agenda for some time. I acknowledged, as I have in this place, that Victoria’s bail laws are disproportionately impacting vulnerable and disadvantaged groups in the community, including Aboriginal people, women and children. The recent coronial inquiry into the death of Veronica Nelson highlighted that what happened to her was unacceptable, and we are focused on getting these reforms developed as soon as we can for the Parliament. I made clear that we have been listening to their concerns related to raising the age of criminal responsibility, and I have said many times I do not want to see kids in custody. The government is currently considering this reform also. I also shared our progress on the decriminalisation of public drunkenness, with the new model shifting its focus onto the safety and wellbeing of those intoxicated in public; provided an update on the stolen generations reparations package; and reiterated our commitment to strengthening Aboriginal self-determination and working towards a fairer, just system for Aboriginal people, and this commitment remains strong.

They are a fantastic group to work with. I always get a lot out of these forums, and I do want to thank them for hosting the AJF and for their ongoing commitment to improving outcomes for Aboriginal people in Victoria, acknowledging that together we have much more work to do.