ATNS - Agreements, Treaties and Negotiated Settlements project

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Murdi Paaki 'Community Assistance Patrol' Shared Responsibility Agreement (SRA)
Date:	December 2004
Sub Category:	Shared Responsibility Agreement (SRA)
Place:	Bourke
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State/Country:	New South Wales, Australia
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Subject Matter:	\| Consultation \| Health and Community Services \| Law - Policy and Justice
URL:	https://web.archive.org/web/20050722014213/http://www.dest.gov.au/NR/rdonlyres/2884DD08-D92C-41FC-8CD5-39042BF33682/2493/Murdi_PaakiRegional_Agreement.pdf
Summary Information:
The Murdi Paaki 'Community Assistance Patrol' Shared Responsibility Agreement is an agreement to provide resources for the conduct of community patrols in Bourke to reduce the incidence of crime in the community. The agreement is managed by the Murdi Paaki Regional Enterprise Corporation Limited with the assistance of the Bourke Community Working Party, relevant Commonwealth and State Government agencies and Bourke Shire Council. Shared Responsibility Agreements are agreements between governments and Indigenous communities to provide discretionary funding in return for community obligations. The new arrangements developed from an initiative of the Council of Australian Governments and replace the previous ATSIC system of funding. For further information see 'Shared Responsibility Agreement' below.
Detailed Information:
Purpose The purpose of the Murdi Paaki 'Community Assistance Patrol' Shared Responsibility Agreement is to provide additional resources for the continuation of night patrols in Bourke operated by Aboriginal members of the community. The patrols complement the duties and activities of New South Wales Police, seeking to reduce the extent to which people may become exposed to or involved in anti-social or criminal activities and transporting people potentially at risk to a safe environment, as well as reducing the likelihood of negative contacts between Indigenous members of the community and police. The agreement is to provide resources for the continuation of the patrols (managed primarily by the Murdi Paaki Regional Enterprise Corporation Ltd) and provide accredited training for patrol staff, as well as consolidating and providing formal recognition for their authority and functions. Shared Responsibilities The Attorney-General's Department (Cth) has agreed to contribute $20,000 to support the program. The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (Cth) has agreed to contribute in-kind support for eight additional places in the Community Development Employment Program. The Department of Families, Communities Services and Indigenous Affairs (Cth) has agreed to contribute $27,000. The Department of Education, Science and Training (Cth) has agreed to participate on the Steering Committee formed to oversee implementation of the project. The New South Wales Police have agreed to participate on the Steering Committee, to provide information and other support for the patrols and to develop protocols for cooperation between police and staff carrying out patrols pursuant to the Community Assistance Patrol project. The Department of Community Services (NSW) has agreed to participate on the Steering Committee, and to provide training on the protocols for the reporting and placement of children at risk. Bourke TAFE has agreed to contribute in-kind services for the provision of relevant accredited training for patrol staff (including Outreach Access, Occupational Health and Safety and Senior Basic First Aid). Bourke Shire Council has agreed to participate in the Steering Committee, and to contribute funding received from the New South Wales Attorney-General's Department pursuant to a Crime Prevention program. The Council will also conduct a qualitative survey and analysis to assess the social impact of the project. The Bourke Community Working Party (set up by the 2003 Murdi Paaki Shared Responsibility Agreement to represent the views of local Indigenous communities - for further information refer to the link below) will participate in the Steering Committee, with staff from the secretariat of the Community Working Party organising Steering Committee meetings. The Community Working Party has also agreed to conduct regular liaison with law enforcement agencies and hold family violence workshops in the community to increase awareness of and participation in the project, maintain records on Community Assistance Patrol activities, and participate in evaluations of the effectiveness of the project. Performance Indicators and Feedback Mechanisms In addition to the surveys conducted by Burke Shire Council and the Community Working Party to assess the effectiveness of the project, the Murdi Paaki Regional Enterprise Corporation Ltd will provide quarterly reports to the Steering Committee formed to monitor implementation of the project. The Steering Committee will provide performance reports to all stakeholders on a six monthly basis, and an independent review will be commissioned after 12 months.