VALS invites you to the launch of the Aboriginal Community Justice Reports Project, which aims to improve sentencing processes and outcomes for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people in the County Court, and reduce the overincarceration of Aboriginal people.

In 2017, the Australian Law Reform Commission recommended that State and Territory Governments, in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations, ‘develop and implement schemes that would facilitate the preparation of ‘Indigenous Experience Reports.’’ In 2018, the Victorian Government and the Aboriginal Justice Caucus committed to piloting Aboriginal Community Justice Reports over the five-year period of Burra Lotjpa Dunguludja: Victorian Aboriginal Justice Agreement Phase 4.

The Reports, modelled on Canada’s Gladue Reports, and adapted for the Victorian context, will include a more holistic account of individual circumstances, including as they relate to a person’s community, culture and strengths, as well as making recommendations regarding community-based options.

Join us for a panel of Australian and Canadian experts, who will discuss the background and benefits of these Reports, and how to participate in the Project.

Judge Lawson, Judge in Charge of the County Court Koori Court Division will give the opening address.

Panellist are:

• Nerita Waight, CEO of VALS
• Larissa Behrendt, Associate Dean (Indigenous Research) at the University of Technology Sydney
• Lyne St-Louis, Founder and Director of Taiga Vision in Quebec, Canada
• Jonathan Rudin, Program Director at Aboriginal Legal Services in Canada
• Thalia Anthony, Professor of Law at the University of Technology Sydney

Andreea Lachsz, Senior Policy, Research and Advocacy Officer at VALS, will be the panel moderator.