Chief Justice urges dialogue

The Supreme Court Chief Justice was in Albany last week to discuss the over representation of indigenous people in the local courts, while also meeting community groups to discuss other justice issues.

Chief Justice Wayne Martin met with the Albany Aboriginal Corporation, City of Albany, Anglicare, local judiciary and Great Southern police.

He said his visit was part of regular trips to monitor the justice system and how it was working in regional areas.

Justice Martin said there were steps that could be taken to improve dialogue between the local indigenous community and justice system.

“We need a greater communication going between all agencies – police, courts, support agencies,” he said. “It’s really about trying to get people working together cooperatively to address the causes of why people are offending.”

Great Southern police district Inspector Greg Crofts said Albany police were mindful of the disproportion of indigenous people in the court system.

“We would love to work with government and non-government agencies and any interest groups to develop a solution to resolve that,” he said.

“We deal with each matter as it comes up; everybody is treated fairly and openly. We don’t target any individual groups.”

Albany Aboriginal Corporation’s Lester Coyne said Noongar community members had expressed concerns about the judicial and policing system in Albany when they met with Justice Martin.

“We’re intent on having more community meetings so we can bring these issues to the forefront,” he said.

“I’m hopeful to strike up a partnership with the police department. (We would like to) have them (the police) come along and visit the Noongars down at the centre and talk over issues, try and create a better relationship and cut down on some of the animosity that exists.”

Mr Martin said it was unfortunate Albany’s Aboriginal people were over-represented in the justice system, but he was impressed by the Noongar leaders he met.

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