A report made 99 recommendations to the ACT Government on how to address the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Canberra’s justice system. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
The ACT Government has provided no firm timeline or budget on how it expects to respond to 99 recommendations to address the over-representation of First Nations people within the ACT criminal justice system, but costs are expected to be “substantial”.
The first step in its interim response is to establish a coordinated, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led governance body to oversee the implementation of the recommendations outlined in the Jumbunna Institute’s review.
“A detailed and considered response to all 99 of the Jumbunna Review recommendations will require significant inter-governmental focus, including to ensure that implementation cost and complexity can be properly assessed in order to have a realistic discussion with the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community about prioritisation and delivery of reforms,” the interim response noted.
“A consistent theme throughout the Final Report is that a lack of coordination is a structural driver of over-representation. Consequently, the Final Report calls for greater connectedness across government and agencies.”
It’s hoped this governance body will help ensure responses aren’t siloed to specific directorates and agencies.
But how quickly and effectively the recommendations can be actioned will also come down to cost.
The interim response noted the interconnected nature of the findings across government agencies and responsibilities meant addressing over-representation would have “significant implications for government resourcing”.
“We note that at least 23 of the Review’s recommendations either explicitly call for new or increased funding for existing organisations or programs, or the establishment of new positions or bodies,” it stated.
“These costs are likely to be substantial. In addition, there will be indirect costs associated with implementation of many of the other recommendations that will need to be properly assessed and quantified to ensure that there is proper understanding of how available resources can and should be directed.”
Corrections Minister Dr Marisa Paterson said the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander governance body would help with prioritisation of recommendations.
“[But they] will still have to go through Cabinet and budget processes, because we are strongly committed to getting this right,” she said.
The recommendations span a broad spectrum of government responsibilities, including corrective services, policing, courts and sentencing, bail administration, youth justice, child protection, and education.
The government has grouped them into two categories based on “urgency and interdependence”.
“The first group of 45 recommendations has been identified for priority implementation. These are expected to lay the groundwork for broader reform or deliver the most immediate impact in reducing over-representation,” the interim response noted.
“The remaining 54 recommendations are considered longer-term and are dependent on the successful implementation of the first group.
“Over half of all recommendations require agencies and directorates to work together to determine the response and work on the approach to implementation together.”
The ACT Government will provide an update on this body of work in six months. This will be followed by an annual update to report on progress and implementation of the recommendations.
