Page 2454 - Week 08 - Wednesday, 22 June 1994

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On 1 January 1994, the AFB ACT Region introduced Diversionary Conferencing which is currently aimed at, but not restricted to, young offenders and is designed to ensure that the offender does not reopened and that the needs of the victim are taken into account. Offenders considered suitable for Diversionary Conferencing are not restricted on the basis of their ethnicity.

(3) In situations where resolution is unsuccessful all members of the

community, including Aboriginal persons, are subject to the normal

processes of the law.

(4) Most police practices are the same for all members of the community.

However, police have specific procedures which accommodate the special

needs of a number of groups in the Canberra community including

Aboriginal persons, mentally ill patients and juveniles.

No.

(6) While the Discrimination Act 1991 (the Act) makes discrimination because

of race unlawful in certain areas, it also recognises that in some

circumstances it is necessary to focus on equality of outcomes and not

simply equality of treatment. In some circumstances treating everyone the

same can be discriminatory.

Section 27 of the Act provides that it is not unlawful to discriminate if the reason was directed to ensure equal opportunities for a group or to meet the special needs of a disadvantaged group.

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