The Northern Territory Labor Government has released a draft of the Territory’s first Aboriginal Justice Agreement and is encouraging additional feedback from Territorians and interested organisations.

The Territory Labor Government is prioritising the improvement of justice outcomes and services for Aboriginal Territorians including reducing the rates of reoffending, imprisonment, and engaging and supporting strong Aboriginal leadership.

The draft Aboriginal Justice Agreement is underpinned by research, evidence-based data and the testimonies of Aboriginal people collected during two years of consultations, which involved 80 communities and 120 sessions.  A further six months of consultation is now underway to ensure the final NT Aboriginal Justice Agreement meets the requirements of all stakeholders.

The are clear deficits in justice outcomes for Aboriginal Territorians and only when these inequities are identified and accepted can genuine and lasting improvements be implemented.  

The Aboriginal Justice Agreement will:

·         set out how the Government and Aboriginal people will work together to make justice work in the NT;

·         build trust and engagement on justice issues in the NT;  

·         focus on practical solutions to reduce the levels of Indigenous incarceration; 

·         deliver strategies for the implementation of more local decision-making in the justice system.   

Details of how you can provide feedback on the draft Agreement, make a submission, or tell us about your own experiences can be done by emailing the Aboriginal Justice Unit aju.agd@nt.gov.au or calling 08 8935 7655. Submissions close 31 March 2020.

The draft agreement can be found here: https://justice.nt.gov.au/attorney-general-and-justice/northern-territory-aboriginal-justice-agreement

Quotes from Attorney-General Natasha Fyles:

“We know that the Territory has unacceptably high rates of Indigenous incarceration and that re-offending rates are too high.

“Around 85% of the NT’s prison population identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, and we know that this must be addressed in consultation with Aboriginal Territorians and key legal stakeholders.

“We have invested $5.5 million over three years to trial an Alternative to Prisons model in Alice Springs and the East Arnhem region, which is a key deliverable of the Aboriginal Justice Agreement.

“These measures are targeted at cutting crime and keeping Territorians safe, as well reducing the rates of Aboriginal incarceration.”

Media Contact: Cameron Angus 0404 021 192