Aboriginal Justice Caucus

The Aboriginal Justice Caucus (AJC), previously the Koori Caucus, was established in 2000 under the Victorian Aboriginal Justice Agreement (AJA).

The AJC is a state-wide leadership body on criminal justice issues affecting the Victorian Aboriginal community. The AJC amplifies Victorian Aboriginal community voices and calls for systemic change in the criminal justice system. Its focus is on reducing the drivers of offending through collaborating with the Victorian Aboriginal community and the Victorian government on culturally sensitive initiatives implemented under the AJA.

Co-chairs of the AJC, Tony Lovett and Marion Hansen, in their foreword to phase 4 of the AJA, Burra Lotjpa Dunguludja ('Senior Leaders Talking Strong' in Yorta Yorta language), have noted that '[i]n recent years, the Aboriginal Justice Caucus has grown in its role to become the main leadership body for community on justice issues' (Burra Lotjpa Dunguludja, 2018).

Composition

The AJC is a self-determining body made up of Aboriginal community members from the Aboriginal Justice Forum, the nine chairs of the Regional Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committees (RAJACs), as well as representatives of Aboriginal peak bodies and some community-controlled organisations.

Functions

The AJC acts as a conduit between the Victorian Aboriginal community and the Victorian criminal justice system regarding implementation of the AJA.

In 2018, co-chairs of the AJC, Tony Lovett and Marion Hansen, wrote in their foreword to Burra Lotjpa Dunguludja:

'The Aboriginal Justice Caucus has explored and defined what self-determination means to us in the justice context, and this Agreement reflects our long term vision for an Aboriginal community-controlled justice system. This fits in with the broader movement toward Aboriginal self-determination in Victoria and Treaty work underway. Self-determination is seen in many ways in this Agreement, including the focus on family, community, culture and country' (Burra Lotjpa Dunguludja, 2018). 

To advance its vision, the AJC works collaboratively with:

• Aboriginal community members and leaders
• RAJAC chairpersons, members and executive officers
• Members of the Aboriginal Justice Forum
• Ministers, public sector leaders and staff

According to the AJA website, the AJC seeks to:

• adhere to Aboriginal cultural protocols
• advocate for the Aboriginal community
• inspire the community to be self-determining
• negotiate change
• work in partnership with stakeholders
• analyse issues across the state
• make well-informed decisions
• discuss issues, share ideas, problem-solve and develop a common view of key issues.

Related Entries

References