Supreme Court

Indigenous Services

Aboriginal Advisory Officer

It is the Aboriginal Advisory Officer's role to provide advice to the judiciary and ensure that the needs and points of view of Aboriginal people are represented within the justice system.

The purpose of this service is to:

• Provide advice to the judiciary on Aboriginal cultural issues or matters relevant to the operation and function of Courts;
• Establish consultative processes to assist the judiciary to meet with Aboriginal communities and organisations;
• Develop strategies to improve access to justice services by Aboriginal people;
• Identify opportunities to develop and advance judicial knowledge of contemporary and traditional aspects of Aboriginal culture;
• Work in conjunction with relevant agencies and organisations to assist Aboriginal people involved in the court system, including witnesses, victims, offenders and their family members;
• Develop strategies to promote greater flexibility in the way Courts deal with Aboriginal people, particularly in the criminal justice system.

Although the Aboriginal Advisory Officer has access to all Courts, the position is on the personal staff of The Hon the Chief Justice and is therefore primarily based in the Supreme Court.

Contact Details

Vincent Pickett
Aboriginal Advisory Officer
Supreme Court of Western Australia
Stirling Gardens, Barrack Street, Perth, 6000
Telephone: (08) 9421 5462
Fax: (08) 9221 436
E-mail: vincent.pickett@justice.wa.gov.au

The Aboriginal Benchbook for Western Australian Courts

The Aboriginal Benchbook for Western Australian Courts contains information for the judiciary to alert them to cross-cultural issues which may arise in the conduct of court proceedings involving aboriginal people. The Benchbook is also a useful resource for any person involved in such proceedings.

The Benchbook was written by Ms Stephanie Fryer-Smith and published by the Australasian Institute for Judicial Management (AIJA). Hard copies of the Benchbook may be purchased through the AIJA.

• Chapter One: Introduction
• Chapter Two: Aspects of Traditional Aboriginal Australia
• Chapter Three: Aspects of Contemporary Aboriginal Australia
• Chapter Four: Aboriginal People in Western Australia
• Chapter Five: Language and Communication
• Chapter Six: Pre-Trial Matters
• Chapter Seven: Criminal Proceedings
• Chapter Eight: Sentencing

Services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities

The Department of the Attorney General provides the following services:

Aboriginal Alternative Dispute Resolution Services

AADRS aims to reduce the incidence of Aboriginal people's involvement with the criminal justice system by providing an effective and culturally appropriate form of dispute resolution. This includes addressing complex and sometimes chronic inter and intra-family feuding affecting Aboriginal people.

Contact Details

Level 10
141 St Georges Terrace
PERTH WA 6000
Telephone: (08) 9264 6150
Fax: (08) 9264 6151
Freecall: 1800 045 577
Further information on Aboriginal Alternative Dispute Resolution Services

Aboriginal Visitors Scheme

The (AVS) provides support and counselling for Aboriginal detainees and prisoners in prisons, juvenile detention centres and police lock-ups throughout Western Australia. Visitors are Aboriginal people committed to assisting and supporting detainees and prisoners in their local areas. They are employed on a casual, rostered basis but are available at all times to help those in custody.

The aim of the scheme is to ensure:

• means are provided for reducing the likelihood of deaths and/or self-harm.
• conditions of those in custody improve through consultation, advice and information to decision-makers.
• Aboriginal community groups are properly informed on conditions of custody.

Contact Details

Suite 21 Piccadilly Square
7 Aberdeen Street
PERTH WA 6000
Telephone: (08) 9220 9400
Fax: (08) 9218 9829
Freecall: 1800 282 429
Further information on Aboriginal Visitors Scheme

In addition, the following services are accessible for Aboriginal communities:

Aboriginal Legal Service of WA

7 Aberdeen Street
East Perth WA 6004
Telephone: (08) 9265 6666
Fax: (08) 9221 1767
Freecall: 1800 019 900
Further information on Aboriginal Legal Service of WA

Victim Support Service

Level 5, May Holman Centre
32 St Georges Terrace
PERTH WA 6000
Telephone: (08) 9425 2850
Fax: (08) 9221 2533
Freecall: 1800 818 988 (outside metro only)
Further information on Victim Support Service

Child Witness Service

5th Floor Central Law Courts
(use Hay Street entrance)
30 St Georges Terrace
PERTH WA 6000
Telephone: (08) 9425 2850
Fax: (08) 9425 2167
Freecall: 1800 818 988

Level 8, May Holman Centre
32 St Georges Terrace
PERTH WA 6000
Telephone: (08) 9425 2850
Fax: (08) 9425 2625
Further information on Child Witness Service

You will need Adobe Reader to view these files.
Click here to download.