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Closure of bush court near Uluru 'will hit Indigenous community' Closure of bush court near Uluru 'will hit Indigenous community'
(5 months later)
Legal groups and police representatives have criticised a decision to close a “bush court” near Uluru, saying it would put undue strain on victims, defendants and police resources.Legal groups and police representatives have criticised a decision to close a “bush court” near Uluru, saying it would put undue strain on victims, defendants and police resources.
The Northern Territory magistrates court this week informed lawyers it would be ending remote court sittings at Mutitjulu, the Aboriginal community near Uluru, from the end of the month.The Northern Territory magistrates court this week informed lawyers it would be ending remote court sittings at Mutitjulu, the Aboriginal community near Uluru, from the end of the month.
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Remote court sittings, or “bush courts”, are held on varying timetables in remote regions of Australia where it is difficult for people to get to a central court, and where small populations or resources don’t justify a permanent institution.Remote court sittings, or “bush courts”, are held on varying timetables in remote regions of Australia where it is difficult for people to get to a central court, and where small populations or resources don’t justify a permanent institution.
Without the remote court sittings in Mutitjulu, which now occur every six to seven weeks, defendants, witnesses and police will be forced to make a return journey of about 900km to Alice Springs.Without the remote court sittings in Mutitjulu, which now occur every six to seven weeks, defendants, witnesses and police will be forced to make a return journey of about 900km to Alice Springs.
Eileen Van Iersel, a spokeswoman for Aboriginal Peak Organisations NT, said: “It can be difficult for individuals and families to travel to Alice Springs which could lead to an increase in defendants not appearing before the court and warrants being issued for their arrest. This will result in more people being imprisoned, placing more pressure on a prison system that is already beyond capacity.Eileen Van Iersel, a spokeswoman for Aboriginal Peak Organisations NT, said: “It can be difficult for individuals and families to travel to Alice Springs which could lead to an increase in defendants not appearing before the court and warrants being issued for their arrest. This will result in more people being imprisoned, placing more pressure on a prison system that is already beyond capacity.
“By ceasing court sittings at Mutitjulu, these barriers will be exacerbated and justice outcomes for Aboriginal people will be further compromised. This will be to the detriment of Aboriginal people and the community as a whole.”“By ceasing court sittings at Mutitjulu, these barriers will be exacerbated and justice outcomes for Aboriginal people will be further compromised. This will be to the detriment of Aboriginal people and the community as a whole.”
Bringing people into Alice Springs could also impact on levels of antisocial behaviour in the town because it did not have enough accommodation for people attending court, she added. “A lot of people don’t return home, due to the money situation,” she said.Bringing people into Alice Springs could also impact on levels of antisocial behaviour in the town because it did not have enough accommodation for people attending court, she added. “A lot of people don’t return home, due to the money situation,” she said.
“If they don’t have the funds to return they often stay in town for a while until payment comes through. It impacts on family they are staying with, particularly if in public housing where any antisocial behaviour results in a strike.”“If they don’t have the funds to return they often stay in town for a while until payment comes through. It impacts on family they are staying with, particularly if in public housing where any antisocial behaviour results in a strike.”
The Northern Territory Police Association called for “common sense to prevail” and suggested the re-establishment of a court at Yulara if nothing could be agreed upon in Mutitjulu. This option is reportedly being looked at by the NT government.The Northern Territory Police Association called for “common sense to prevail” and suggested the re-establishment of a court at Yulara if nothing could be agreed upon in Mutitjulu. This option is reportedly being looked at by the NT government.
“The Northern Territory Police Association does not support the closing of ‘bush’ courts, in favour of defendants, victims, witnesses and police having to travel unreasonably long distances for court appearances,” the organisation’s president, Paul McCue, told Guardian Australia.“The Northern Territory Police Association does not support the closing of ‘bush’ courts, in favour of defendants, victims, witnesses and police having to travel unreasonably long distances for court appearances,” the organisation’s president, Paul McCue, told Guardian Australia.
“Closing the court at Mutitjulu, or similar remote communities, will simply put more stress and strain on police resources. This is simply not an efficient improvement to the judicial system.”“Closing the court at Mutitjulu, or similar remote communities, will simply put more stress and strain on police resources. This is simply not an efficient improvement to the judicial system.”
Aboriginal Peak Organisations NT is an alliance of Aboriginal organisations including the Central Land Council, the Northern Land Council, Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance of the NT, the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency and the Central Australian Aboriginal Legal Aid Service (Caalas). Van Iersel said there had been no consultation or discussion with any of them before the decision.Aboriginal Peak Organisations NT is an alliance of Aboriginal organisations including the Central Land Council, the Northern Land Council, Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance of the NT, the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency and the Central Australian Aboriginal Legal Aid Service (Caalas). Van Iersel said there had been no consultation or discussion with any of them before the decision.
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It appeared the decision had been made because of the state of Mutitjulu’s facilities, she said: “They are atrocious, really. From what legal staff tell me it’s one room, and doesn’t take into consideration the environment regarding temperatures, so court and legal staff can be taking instruction while sitting out in an open playground.”It appeared the decision had been made because of the state of Mutitjulu’s facilities, she said: “They are atrocious, really. From what legal staff tell me it’s one room, and doesn’t take into consideration the environment regarding temperatures, so court and legal staff can be taking instruction while sitting out in an open playground.”
Van Iersel called for the NT government to invest in improved facilities or attach a structure to the existing police station instead of cancelling sittings.Van Iersel called for the NT government to invest in improved facilities or attach a structure to the existing police station instead of cancelling sittings.
The attorney general, John Elferink, told ABC on Monday he encouraged remote communities to make their own buildings available for a courtroom. “Of course I’m concerned but Caalas are not offering any solutions except spending more taxpayers dollars,” he said.The attorney general, John Elferink, told ABC on Monday he encouraged remote communities to make their own buildings available for a courtroom. “Of course I’m concerned but Caalas are not offering any solutions except spending more taxpayers dollars,” he said.
Elferink has been contacted for further comment.Elferink has been contacted for further comment.