Plan for separate court for Aborigines
Chris Merritt; 6/5/08
Victoria’s plan to establish a separate county court to deal with Aborigines accused of serious crime raises the prospect of an apartheid-style legal system. Leading criminal lawyer Peter Faris QC, a former chairman of the National Crime Authority, said: “I saw this and felt sick.” If the plan went ahead, it would open the door to “separate but equal” justice for Aborigines, the catchcry of apartheid South Africa, Mr Faris said. The plan, which will be outlined in today’s Victorian budget, will establish the nation’s first racially based court to deal with serious criminal offences.
See: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23652077-5013404,00.html
Koori court won’t hear sex charges
Carol Nader; 6/5/08
Serious cases involving Aboriginal offenders that will be heard by Australia’s first Koori County Court, to be set up in Victoria by the end of the year, are not expected to include sexual offences. The court will remain a sentencing court that deals with people who have pleaded guilty, in the same way existing Koori magistrates courts operate, after experts recommended that any thoughts of hearing contested cases in the Koori courts be shelved. Today’s state budget will fund a pilot program for a Koori County Court.
See: http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/koori-court-wont-hear-sex-charges/2008/05/05/1209839553597.html
Tags: Aboriginal, Australia, Legal, Sex Trade