Project No. 94

The Commission’s recommendations seek to respect the cultural diversity of Aboriginal peoples and communities in Western Australia, embrace Aboriginal culture, enhance the cultural authority of Elders and respected community members, and remove systemic bias and discrimination within the legal system. The Commission emphasised the need for flexibility, ongoing consultation and collaboration and the institution of community-owned processes to ensure that implementation of recommendations respond to the particular cultural dynamics of a community. Because of this flexibility, many of the Commission’s recommendations have the potential to be adapted to suit other Australian jurisdictions.

Recommendation 56 has since been implemented in Geraldton where the State Government has announced the launch of an initiative aimed at educating police officers in the area on issues regarding Aboriginal culture and heritage through a cross-cultural training package.