Page 118 - Week 01 - Wednesday, 8 April 1992
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people throughout Australia. In my meetings with local Aboriginal groups, I have been told that they are called out many times each week to visit people in such places as the City Watch-house, the Belconnen Remand Centre and the Quamby Youth Centre.
It is because I have heard evidence of these problems and know of their effects on Aboriginal lives that I am so pleased to table the ACT response to the recommendations of the royal commission. The ACT response makes a number of positive and practical commitments to improve services and allow greater access to them. It also refers to the important advances that have already been made in such areas as legislative reform, policing and health.
I turn, Madam Speaker, to empowerment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. A major theme running through the royal commission's report is the need for empowerment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at both the individual and community levels. I believe that this issue is vital. Accordingly, each of the initiatives proposed in the ACT response will involve Aboriginal people participating from the earliest planning stages to final implementation. In every instance my Government is committed to full and thorough consultation. Furthermore, my Government will endeavour to involve Aboriginal people in the running of programs and delivery of services which affect them in order to guarantee the highest possible level of self-determination for their community in the ACT. With this goal in mind I have already proposed to members of the Aboriginal community the establishment of a high-level mechanism for communication with the ACT Government.
My proposal is for a broadly based representative advisory council which will meet regularly and report directly to me on matters of concern to the community. I am looking forward to developing such a link and I feel certain that this type of cooperation will enable positive and lasting achievements by and for Aboriginal people.
I turn to the issue of policing. The ACT response shows that the standards of policing and the procedures in place in the ACT are of a high order and that policing practices in the ACT are largely consistent with the recommendations of the royal commission. The Government is committed to reviewing procedures and taking action in areas where change is required. I am especially pleased to note that the ACT has a Police-Aboriginal Liaison Committee. This committee meets every two months and provides an opportunity for the community to discuss their concerns with the police.
In addition, there is an Aboriginal Liaison Committee comprising members of the Police-Aboriginal Liaison Committee and other members of the Aboriginal community. The members of this committee are rostered on call 24 hours a day in a voluntary capacity. Police endeavour to contact a member of the committee whenever an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person is placed in custody.
I turn to custodial facilities and procedures. Clearly, Madam Speaker, as identified by the royal commission, custodial facilities and procedures are high priority areas for further action. Throughout the response, my Government has maintained a commitment to improving the procedures and guidelines which govern how police and custodial officers deal with Aboriginal people. This commitment is evidenced through initiatives such as a review of health screening documentation and risk assessment procedures relating to people entering
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