Page 1775 - Week 06 - Thursday, 3 June 2021
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7. The original Yarrabi Bamirr budget bid was informed by ongoing engagement and consultation with the trial lead Winnunga Nimmityjah, local community-controlled organisations and the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. Any future budget bids will be informed by consultation with the current providers.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders—legal services
(Question No 200)
Mrs Kikkert asked the Attorney-General, upon notice, on 23 April 2021:
(1) In relation to the Justice Housing Program, is the Warrumbul Sentencing Court still being funded; if so, how much funding is the Warrumbul Sentencing Court going to receive this financial year and for the next three financial years and under what line item is the court being funded.
(2) Is there any substantial difference in the funding for the court going forward two financial years compared to the last two financial years; if not, why is the Warrumbul Sentencing Court not being funded.
(3) Where is the funding for this going.
(4) Were any Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups consulted about this; if so, which ones; if not, why not.
(5) Why was funding cut from this program.
Mr Rattenbury: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:
1. The Warrumbul Circle Sentencing Court (Warrumbul) is still funded. The funding for Warrumbul is now appropriated to the Justice and Community Safety Directorate (JACS) under Output 3.1 in the Budget Papers for ACT Courts and Tribunal. Appropriation for the current and forward financial years is indexed and budgeted in the forward estimates is:
• $179,000 for 2020-21;
• $183,000 for 2021-22; and
• $186,000 for 2022-23.
2. Initially, for financial year 2019-20, Warrumbul was funded out of the Confiscated Assets Trust Fund, a statutory trust. The instrument provided for $174,000 in 2019-20. The increases in funding amounts for the last two financial years compared to the forward two financial years primarily reflects indexation.
3. Warrumbul funding provides for employee costs, supplies and services, including a Registry Support Officer, payment of the part-time members (Elders), conferencing (where required), training for members and overheads.
4. Initially, the Galambany Circle Sentencing Court dealt with defendants from both the Magistrates and Children’s Court. During the Galambany Circle Sentencing Evaluation in 2017, the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community recommended the establishment of an independent Children’s Circle Sentencing Court. During the establishment of Warrumbul, several Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders were consulted, including:
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