Victorian Aboriginal Justice Agreement

The Victorian Aboriginal Justice Agreement aims: 'To minimise Indigenous over-representation in the criminal justice system by improving accessibility, utilisation and effectiveness of justice-related programs and services in partnership with the Aboriginal community.’ It was developed by the Koorie community, the Victorian Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committee, ATSIC, Department of Human Services and the Department of Justice.

While there are over sixty initiatives in the Agreement, the key initiatives include:
• Implementing the recommendations of the Royal Commission Into Aboriginal Deaths In Custody.
• Setting up of a community based Regional Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committee Network.
• Encouraging Koorie people to work in Justice, including a scholarship program for Koori students in completing undergraduate and post graduate studies in law, criminology and justice related issues.
• Aboriginal Official Visitors for correctional facilities.
• Aboriginal Community Based Initiatives Pilot Program.
• Community based Diversionary Program.
• Review of legal representation to the Koori community.
• Promoting greater Indigenous membership of all justice based boards and tribunals.
• The Koori Court.

The agreement is administered by the Indigenous Issues Unit at the Department of Justice on telephone (03) 9651 6807.