infringement rates is not readily available, nor is
data distinguishing infringement rates by sex.
notices have a disproportionate impact on Koori
people as they may face greater difficulty paying
fines or navigating the fines enforcement system,
risking further involvement in the criminal justice
system.
calculated according to income and therefore
disproportionately affect those experiencing
financial hardship, such as Koori women.
infringement debts. While some may be able
to convert their fines into community work, this
option is not always available or appropriate, for
example, Koori women who are single parents
with small children who may not be able to attend
community work.
culturally appropriate, or not available locally.
and needed assistance to manage
the fines as she was running out of
options. Another client defaulted on the
fines that she was paying pursuant to a
payment plan, if she was picked up by
the police she would have served 27
days in custody. She was just waiting
to be picked up.
attached to the infringement notice can result in
imprisonment.
criminal justice system.
See for example, State of Victoria, Department of
Justice, Attorney-General's Annual Report on the
Infringements System 2011-12 (2012); and Magistrates'
Court of Victoria, `Annual Report', above n 11.
Williams and Gilbert (2011) Reducing the Unintended
Impacts of Fines, Indigenous Justice Clearinghouse,
Current Initiatives Paper 2, 1.
262
Bernadette Saunders et al, `Unpaid Infringement
Notices', above n 244, 17.
Key informant interview, Victorian Aboriginal Legal
Service, 15 November 2012.
Aboriginal Justice Forum, revise and update the
Victoria Police Aboriginal Strategic Plan 2003-2008.
Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service and the Victorian
Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission,
undertake an analysis of cautioning, charging,
bail decision and bail conditions relating to Koori
women. The results of this analysis should be
reported to the Aboriginal Justice Forum and
inform a review of Victoria Police members training
on working with Koori offenders.
becoming entrenched in the criminal justice
system, that Victoria Police regularly provide de-
identified data to the Aboriginal Justice Forum on
contact rates of Koori young people. This data
should also be provided to the Commissioner for
Aboriginal Children and Young People and include
a breakdown by age, gender, region and contact
type (including field contacts, cautions and arrests).
Worker Program and the Koori Offender Support
and Mentoring Program in assisting Kooris to
address fines payments, that these programs be
enhanced with a specific focus on Koori women
with multiple fines and at risk of imprisonment.