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2008 June 25, "The pilot of Victoria’s first County Koori Court will be located at the Latrobe Valley Court complex in Morwell, Deputy Premier and Attorney-General Rob Hulls announced today" "This decision was made in partnership with the Victorian Koori community and representatives from the justice system, including the County Court". The pilot of the County Koori Court is part of the $40.7 million State Budget package aimed at closing the gap for Indigenous Victorians. The County Koori Court’s jurisdiction will be the same as the County Court’s.

Summary

The overall reason for changes are based on The Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody (1991), which had little, if any, effect on the Victorian Aboriginal community, although it is very comforting to see and read that The Victorian Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committee (AJAC) is deeply concerned about the issues raised in that Report.

The Victorian Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committee (AJAC) is the Government primary source of advice from, on justice related issues. It may pay to note "The Victoria Government has no proper legislated power to make laws for peace order and good Government for the Indigenous people of Victoria". It is unknown by this writer, at this time, if AJAC advised the Government of this relevant Justice issue. if not Why Not!

Considering the years already elapsed, it appears that nothing has been submitted by AJAC to reduce the Aboriginal people coming in contact with the criminal system of Victoria, even though AJAC has been aware of a very simple solution, being the positive and most likely way to reduce the number of Aboriginal offenders appear before the Courts, Yet nothing worthwhile has been achieved.

Many Victorian Aboriginals’ feel that the establishment of Koori Magistrates’ Courts and the Koori County Courts, is undermining the intelligence of Aboriginal race of Victoria. Citing That we know what is right and what is wrong in todays society, and do our best to teach our children these principles, and make them aware the risks penalty that may apply.

Their is growing concern within our community that the about the power, influence and control that the legal professions holds over Aboriginal organisation which receives Government funding. It is appreciated that AJAC in joint initiative between Department of Justice, and the Courts, instigated The Koori Magistrates Court and now The Koori County Court. Which will cost around $60 Million.

May 8th 2008 The AEV request the Duputy Chief Magistrate, Ms. Jelena Popovic for the details of crimes committed and number of Aborigine's that have gone through the state Koori magistrates courts since it inceptions. Duputy Chief Magistrate, confirmed she had requested Mr.Mason Atkinson Manger of Koori Courts, to address the matter. This may be the one reason for the delay in response. When this information is obtained it will give us all a better and more clear understanding of the overall intention of Koori Court system.

Contemplating, that the Victorian Parliament has no legislated jurisdiction to make laws for the Aboriginal people of Victoria. It would be within reason to assume that the new Koori Courts System may be used (underhandedly) to achieve the required jurisdiction. Precaution!

Les McDonald, Chief Lore Officer,. Aboriginal Embassy Victoria.