The actions included below are considered a starting point for the life of the Agreement and are not intended to limit additional actions being developed over time. Any future actions will be further developed and prioritised in collaboration with the Aboriginal Justice Caucus. 

　
33
Complete
55
In progress

Actions have been categorised as:

  1. Agreed actions to be implemented over the next five years
    • Not started yet (yellow). Yellow indicates the action has not yet commenced.
    • In progress (orange). Orange indicates the action is underway.
    • Green (complete). Green indicates the action has been implemented.
  2. Future possibilities that will be considered over the life of the Burra Lotjpa Dunguludja, are categorised under ‘Future consideration’ (black).

Find initiatives

Aboriginal culture in courts
Complete

Aboriginal culture in courts

Consider building the presence of Aboriginal culture in courts with place naming, language, increasing the role of Elders, and displaying Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags and artefacts.
Aboriginal Education and Research Officer
Future consideration

Aboriginal Education and Research Officer

Consider continuing the Aboriginal Education and Research Officer position within the Judicial College of Victoria to improve the cultural competency of courts and tribunals.
Aboriginal Employment and Career Strategy
Complete

Aboriginal Employment and Career Strategy

Implement strategies in the Aboriginal Employment and Career Strategy 2017-2020 across the Department of Justice and Community Safety.
Aboriginal governance for evaluation
In progress

Aboriginal governance for evaluation

Establish Aboriginal governance structures for AJA program evaluations to ensure AJA initiatives are evaluated based on criteria that reflect Aboriginal values and measures of success.
Aboriginal impact assessments
In progress

Aboriginal impact assessments

Consider mechanisms to identify the possible impact of new justice policies and legislation on Aboriginal Victorians.
Aboriginal involvement in legislative reform for youth justice
In progress

Aboriginal involvement in legislative reform for youth justice

In progressing the recommendations for legislative reform made in Meeting needs and reducing offending: Youth Justice review and strategy, specifically the creation of a new Youth Justice Act, consider mechanisms for Aboriginal involvement.
Aboriginal representation in the CISP workforce
In progress

Aboriginal representation in the CISP workforce

Consider increasing the number of Koori Court Integrated Services Program Workers with the aim of ensuring Aboriginal representation in the CISP workforce reflects the level of Aboriginal representation in the criminal justice system.
Aboriginal Risk-based Compliance and Facilitated Assistance Program
In progress

Aboriginal Risk-based Compliance and Facilitated Assistance Program

Deliver the Aboriginal Risk-based Compliance and Facilitated Assistance Program to improve governance within Aboriginal incorporated associations and co-operatives registered with Consumer Affairs Victoria.
Aboriginal victim support models
Future consideration

Aboriginal victim support models

Consider community- based Aboriginal victim support models for trial in select sites.
Aboriginal Youth Justice Strategy
Complete

Aboriginal Youth Justice Strategy

Develop and implement an Aboriginal Youth Justice Strategy that addresses the specific recommendations to reduce Aboriginal over-representation in youth justice outlined in the Youth Justice Review and Strategy: Meeting needs and reducing offending
Access to Child Witness Service for Aboriginal Children
In progress

Access to Child Witness Service for Aboriginal Children

Work collaboratively with the Victims Assistance Program's Aboriginal Support Workers to strengthen pathways for Aboriginal Children to access the Child Witness Service when needing to attend court as a result of being a witness to a violent crime.
Additional Aboriginal Liaison Officer
Complete

Additional Aboriginal Liaison Officer

Recruit an additional Aboriginal Liaison Officer to assist Aboriginal children and young people in Youth Justice Centres.
Assist Aboriginal women with bail
In progress

Assist Aboriginal women with bail

Develop and implement cultural and gender-specific supports for Aboriginal women involved in the corrections system to obtain bail and avoid remand
Community based assistance to manage infringements
In progress

Community based assistance to manage infringements

Expand the ACFI and SALO program to include additional areas where SALOs and Fines and Enforcement Services staff can attend community events and provide direct assistance to Aboriginal community members to manage their infringements.
Community policing for crime prevention
In progress

Community policing for crime prevention

Support community policing approaches that support crime prevention initiatives and link victims with support services
Community-based diversion programs
Complete

Community-based diversion programs

Deliver community-based, intensive diversion programs for Aboriginal children and young people who have had, or are vulnerable to involvement with the criminal justice system to address factors contributing to offending.
Community-based support for high-risk young people
In progress

Community-based support for high-risk young people

Consider a community-based support service to provide intensive case management for high-risk Aboriginal young people on community supervision orders.
Confirmation of Aboriginality
In progress

Confirmation of Aboriginality

DJCS to cease using statutory declarations in relation to confirmation of Aboriginality; improve processes and procedures and contribute to action across government to improve CoA processes.
Continuity of cultural plans
In progress

Continuity of cultural plans

Continuity of cultural plans across education, child protection and youth justice.
Custodial Notification Service
Complete

Custodial Notification Service

Develop legislation for the requirement of a Custodial Notification Service so that Aboriginal organisations are notified when an Aboriginal person is taken into custody.
Develop the Aboriginal Youth Justice workforce
Complete

Develop the Aboriginal Youth Justice workforce

Provide professional development and networking opportunities for the Koori Youth Justice workforce and support an Koori Graduate Program in Youth Justice.
Digital AJA
Complete

Digital AJA

Develop an AJA digital presence to provide accessible information on the implementation of AJA plans, and achievement of outcomes.
Elders mentoring in Youth Justice Centres
In progress

Elders mentoring in Youth Justice Centres

Provide mentoring programs and in-reach Elder support for Aboriginal children and young people in Youth Justice Centres.
Elders Mentoring Program
Complete

Elders Mentoring Program

Strengthen pre and post release cultural supports for Aboriginal adults in prison including an Elders Mentoring Program.
Enhance support for Aboriginal Community Justice Panels
In progress

Enhance support for Aboriginal Community Justice Panels

Enhance support for 13 existing and five new Aboriginal Community Justice Panels and their volunteers so they can assist Aboriginal people in police custody in more locations.
Evidence based prevention programs
In progress

Evidence based prevention programs

Support successful evidenced based programs delivered by Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations to prevent Aboriginal children and youth becoming involved in the criminal justice system.
Expand Koori Courts
In progress

Expand Koori Courts

Expand Koori Courts to additional locations across three jurisdictions: County Court, Magistrates’ Court and the Children’s Court.
Expand Police cautioning and diversion programs
Future consideration

Expand Police cautioning and diversion programs

Consider making the Koori Youth Cautioning Program, Koori Women’s and Adult Pre-Charge Diversion Programs available in more locations across the state.
Explore Multi-systemic Therapy Pilot
Not started yet

Explore Multi-systemic Therapy Pilot

Explore the development of a culturally-responsive Multi-systemic Therapy (MST) pilot initiative that addresses the multiple determinants of antisocial behaviour by Aboriginal young people.
Family centred approaches
In progress

Family centred approaches

Collaboration from across government departments to design and deliver family centred approaches for Aboriginal clients with complex needs.
Family violence orders in Koori Courts
Complete

Family violence orders in Koori Courts

Commence hearing contraventions of family violence intervention orders in at least one pilot Magistrates’ Koori Court location.
Family violence workforce training
In progress

Family violence workforce training

Deliver workforce training to ensure staff understand Aboriginal experiences of family violence.
Feasibility study for women's residential program
In progress

Feasibility study for women's residential program

Explore the feasibility of a residential program like Wulgunggo Ngalu Learning Place to provide cultural and gender-specific supports for Aboriginal women involved in the corrections system.
Formal apology
Complete

Formal apology

A formal apology that acknowledges how historical recording practices for children removed from their homes may have affected care leavers.
Historical care and protection orders
Complete

Historical care and protection orders

Introduce legislation to clarify that relevant historical care and protection orders made by courts under historical children's welfare legislation are not to be treated as convictions or findings of guilt.
Housing
Complete

Housing

Contribute to forums and development of Aboriginal Housing Homelessness Framework by providing evidence of housing issues faced by Aboriginal young people and adults at risk of, in contact with, or transitioning out of the criminal justice system .
Human Rights Charter
Future consideration

Human Rights Charter

Consider amending the Human Rights Charter to give greater recognition to the importance of self-determination for Aboriginal people and to include a right to birth registration, as recommended in the Review of the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act.
Human Rights obligations
Complete

Human Rights obligations

Ensure staff in justice agencies take human rights into account when making decisions.
Impact of bail reforms
In progress

Impact of bail reforms

Research the impact of the 2017-18 bail reforms on Aboriginal accused.
Improving transition from youth justice
Complete

Improving transition from youth justice

Consider existing models or programs operating in the Aboriginal community to assist young people on parole and/or while transitioning out of the youth justice system, and examine their feasibility for expansion.
Increase Aboriginal staff in VCAT
Complete

Increase Aboriginal staff in VCAT

Increase the number of Aboriginal staff working in VCAT and further promote Aboriginal engagement with VCAT across the community.
Indigenous Garden
In progress

Indigenous Garden

Maintain and improve the Indigenous Garden at Parkville Youth Justice Centre.
Koori Independent Prison Visitor Scheme
In progress

Koori Independent Prison Visitor Scheme

Review and co-design the Koori Independent Prisoner Visitor Scheme to enable greater representation of Aboriginal community volunteers in the Scheme.
Koori Registrar in Coroners Court
Complete

Koori Registrar in Coroners Court

Recruit a designated Koori Registrar in the Coroners Court to ensure coronial practices are both culturally aware and appropriate.
Koori Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal
Complete

Koori Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal

Strengthen the Koori Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal (VOCAT) list to increase resource capacity and ensure the demand of Aboriginal applications for assistance is met.
Koori Youth Justice Program
Complete

Koori Youth Justice Program

Continue to support the expanded Koori Youth Justice Program across the state to assist more Aboriginal young people in their communities and prevent Aboriginal children and youth becoming involved in the criminal justice system.
Leadership and governance training
Not started yet

Leadership and governance training

Provide leadership and governance training/workshops for Regional Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committees and Local Aboriginal Justice Action Committees.
Marram-Ngala Ganbu – Koori Hearing Days
In progress

Marram-Ngala Ganbu – Koori Hearing Days

Consider increasing the number of Koori Conveners and Children’s Courts providing Marram-Ngala Ganbu – Koori Hearing Days.
Mediation capacity building
Future consideration

Mediation capacity building

Build capacity in mediation skills within ACCOs and for community members to help resolve local disputes before they escalate.
Meeting the needs of remandees
In progress

Meeting the needs of remandees

Consider ways to address the specific needs of Aboriginal people in prison who are un-sentenced and those with short sentences.
More Koori Workers in CISP
In progress

More Koori Workers in CISP

Provide greater support for Aboriginal accused on bail through the employment of an additional five Koori Court Integrated Support Program Workers.
Multi jurisidiction Koori Liaison Officers
Future consideration

Multi jurisidiction Koori Liaison Officers

Consider establishing Aboriginal Liaison Officer roles that can operate across court jurisdictions, including Magistrates’ Court locations without Koori Courts.
Opportunities to work and train on Country
Future consideration

Opportunities to work and train on Country

Consider Employment options for Aboriginal people exiting the criminal justice system, including opportunities to develop skills and undertake training on Country.
Partnership survey
Complete

Partnership survey

Introduce a regular partnership survey to gather views on the performance (strengths and weaknesses) of the AJA partnership.
Potential Aboriginal Justice Commissioner role
In progress

Potential Aboriginal Justice Commissioner role

Consider the possible creation of an independent Aboriginal Justice Commissioner, its role and scope in informing and overseeing justice outcomes for Aboriginal people.
Progressing Aboriginal community-controlled corrections orders
In progress

Progressing Aboriginal community-controlled corrections orders

Consider Opportunities to move towards an Aboriginal community-controlled Community Corrections, which could include a regional pilot for Aboriginal Case Managers to work out of ACCOs and building capacity of ACCOs to move towards administration of Community Correction Orders.
Respond to AJA3 Evaluation recommendations
Complete

Respond to AJA3 Evaluation recommendations

Respond to the recommendations of the AJA3 Place-Based Evaluation, particularly in the design and development of new place-based initiatives under this Agreement.
Restorative justice responses
In progress

Restorative justice responses

Consider restorative justice responses, such as healing circles and group conferencing across the criminal justice system.
Review and refresh AJA governance structures
In progress

Review and refresh AJA governance structures

Review and refresh existing AJA governance structures to ensure they are strategic, effective, focus on problem solving, and amplify Aboriginal voices, particularly those of young people.
Sentencing Act 1991
In progress

Sentencing Act 1991

Consider amending the Sentencing Act 1991 to take into account Aboriginality and the use of pre-sentence reports.
Specialist Koori Family Violence Court Model
In progress

Specialist Koori Family Violence Court Model

Develop and trial a Specialist Koori Family Violence Court Model drawing on best practice and current problem solving court principles.
State-wide coverage of ACFI and SALO Programs
In progress

State-wide coverage of ACFI and SALO Programs

Consider expansion of the Sheriff’s Aboriginal Liaison Officer and Aboriginal Community Fines Initiative programs to enable state-wide coverage.
Statewide Indigenous Arts in Prison and Community Program
Complete

Statewide Indigenous Arts in Prison and Community Program

Continued support of the Statewide Indigenous Arts in Prison and Community Program delivered by The Torch which supports cultural strengthening and economic development opportunities for Aboriginal people as emerging artists.
Strengthening grants processes
Complete

Strengthening grants processes

Review grants processes, including how to improve sustainability and support for community agencies to monitor, track and evaluate their own programs.
Success factors for program delivery
In progress

Success factors for program delivery

Consider research projects to identify success factors for program delivery to Aboriginal offenders and improve the evidence base.
Support the Aboriginal Justice Caucus
Complete

Support the Aboriginal Justice Caucus

Fund additional capacity to support the Aboriginal Justice Caucus to increase their participation and justice leadership role in government processes, policy and program design.
Support the Work and Development Permit Scheme
In progress

Support the Work and Development Permit Scheme

Work with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) to build support for the Work and Development Permit (WDP) Scheme and increase the number of WDP accredited sponsors.
Support to meet mental health treatment conditions on orders
In progress

Support to meet mental health treatment conditions on orders

Provide access to culturally safe mental health services for Aboriginal people who have a moderate mental health condition or disorder and who have a Community Corrections Order with a Mental Health Treatment and Rehabilitation Condition or are on parole with a mandated mental health order.
Supports for Aboriginal victims of crime
In progress

Supports for Aboriginal victims of crime

Enhance access to supports for Aboriginal victims of crime and improve links between local Aboriginal and mainstream services using the case management support model.
Therapeutic courts
In progress

Therapeutic courts

Consider a culturally appropriate model for accused.
Time to Work Employment Services
In progress

Time to Work Employment Services

Deliver the Time to Work Employment Service to Aboriginal people in prison to provide the support they need to prepare to find employment and reintegrate into the community upon their release from prison.
Vicarious trauma debriefing
Complete

Vicarious trauma debriefing

Introduce culturally-appropriate debriefing and vicarious trauma debriefing as part of the Court Services Victoria Koori Employment Strategy.
Victoria Police referrals
In progress

Victoria Police referrals

Improve referral pathways to Aboriginal service providers and additional support through Victoria Police E-referrals.
Youth Justice Taskforce
Complete

Youth Justice Taskforce

Establish a Youth Justice Taskforce to research and review cases of Aboriginal young people in the criminal justice system.