Page 362 - Week 02 - Tuesday, 20 February 2018
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
Strait Islander detainees. Increased participation by Winnunga in delivering health services to detainees at the AMC also supports the ACT government’s goal to close the gap in Indigenous disadvantage. ACT Health and ACT Corrective Services have been working collaboratively with Winnunga to develop and agree to a best practice model of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health service delivery at the AMC.
I take this opportunity to particularly recognise and thank Ms Julie Tongs OAM, the CEO of Winnunga, for her strong leadership and support in this process. This work has resulted in an agreed set of principles and model of care that would integrate Winnunga into the service offering at the AMC while maintaining its independence as an Aboriginal health service.
In November 2017 a new partnership approach was commenced with Winnunga and ACT Corrective Services in the female detainee area. Winnunga staff were available daily to support female detainees during their accommodation move and have since established an enhanced service offering within the area. This partnership will expand over time in a staged approach, and in 2018 Winnunga will move to full delivery of health, social and emotional wellbeing services in the AMC, in partnership with ACT Corrective Services and justice health services. Under this model, Winnunga health services will be available to all detainees regardless of their gender or cultural background.
The Moss review steering committee acknowledged that full implementation of recommendation 5 will take time and that positive progress against this recommendation is being made. It also noted the genuine commitment by all parties to progress towards full implementation this year.
The ACT government is working to address elements of the criminal justice system that disproportionately impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and to support the government’s commitment to reducing recidivism by 25 per cent by 2025. On 7 December 2017 I launched a bail support trial known as Ngurrambai, which is a Ngunnawal word which means “perceive”—I see; I hear; I understand. The trial is designed to reduce the number and the amount of time that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people spend on remand.
This program funds the Aboriginal Legal Service to provide bail support officers to deliver a culturally appropriate operational model that includes conducting assessments, developing a bail plan, the provision of culturally appropriate intensive case management and referral to services and programs. The Justice and Community Safety Directorate will continue to consider opportunities to divert persons from the criminal justice system through its justice reinvestment and justice reform work.
Efforts to address the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our justice system include the Yarrabi Bamirr trial, meaning “walk tall” in Ngunnawal, which involves a collaborative approach between the Justice and Community Safety Directorate and Winnunga, using a family-centric service support model for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families to improve life outcomes and reduce or prevent contact with the criminal justice system. Where appropriate, clients
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video