registration of births, deaths and marriages. partnerships 2000, the department’s efforts in Koori justice have fallen under the broad umbrella of the Victorian Aboriginal Justice Agreement (AJA), which was developed with the Koori community. The third phase of this agreement (AJA3) is being developed, and is due for launch in the second half of 2012. This work is informed by an independent evaluation of the second phase of the AJA, which began in 2006. This evaluation found that the agreement had delivered significant improvements in justice outcomes for Koories in Victoria. Key findings included: Koori over-representation had decreased in non-metropolitan areas, while it had • increased in some metropolitan areas but may have increased more without the AJA2 – youth contact with police and incarceration had reduced • reoffending by Koories had reduced • victimisation has worsened but services for victims have improved • justice services are generally more responsive and inclusive • community justice responses had been strengthened. • The next of the AJA will focus on: preventing crime and reducing recidivism • understanding alcohol, and mental health as drivers of violence and offending • addressing the over-representation of Koori youth in the criminal justice system • reducing violence and victimisation, and improving community safety • improving women’s diversion • strengthening communities and building capacity to respond to issues particularly in • relation to crime prevention and strengthening Koori youth increasing the effectiveness of the justice system through the department’s Koori • Inclusion Action Plan, and implementation of the department’s Koori Employment Strategy. In 2011-12, senior government representatives and members of the judiciary met on three occasions with the nine chairpersons of the State and Regional Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committees (RAJACs) and Chief Executive Officers of Aboriginal community controlled organisations. The meetings included community forums with local Koori community members in Footscray, Warrnambool and Healesville. Koori Inclusion Action Plan
registration of births, deaths and marriages. partnerships 2000, the department’s efforts in Koori justice have fallen under the broad umbrella of the Victorian Aboriginal Justice Agreement (AJA), which was developed with the Koori community. The third phase of this agreement (AJA3) is being developed, and is due for launch in the second half of 2012. This work is informed by an independent evaluation of the second phase of the AJA, which began in 2006. This evaluation found that the agreement had delivered significant improvements in justice outcomes for Koories in Victoria. Key findings included: • Koori over-representation had decreased in non-metropolitan areas, while it had increased in some metropolitan areas – but may have increased more without the AJA2 • youth contact with police and incarceration had reduced • reoffending by Koories had reduced • victimisation has worsened but services for victims have improved • justice services are generally more responsive and inclusive • community justice responses had been strengthened. The next of the AJA will focus on: • preventing crime and reducing recidivism • understanding alcohol, and mental health as drivers of violence and offending • addressing the over-representation of Koori youth in the criminal justice system • reducing violence and victimisation, and improving community safety • improving women’s diversion • strengthening communities and building capacity to respond to issues particularly in relation to crime prevention and strengthening Koori youth • increasing the effectiveness of the justice system through the department’s Koori Inclusion Action Plan, and implementation of the department’s Koori Employment Strategy. In 2011-12, senior government representatives and members of the judiciary met on three occasions with the nine chairpersons of the State and Regional Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committees (RAJACs) and Chief Executive Officers of Aboriginal community controlled organisations. The meetings included community forums with local Koori community members in Footscray, Warrnambool and Healesville. Koori Inclusion Action Plan
annual_report_report_of_operations2012.docx