Justice

Advocating for vulnerable people to have better access to justice

JFA Purple Orange believes that Australia must prioritise and invest in protecting the rights and interests of people living with disability interacting with the justice system.

Historically, the justice system expects participants to adapt to it, rather than the other way around. However, participation in the justice system is a human right. The right to a fair trial does not only apply to defendants, but also to victims and society.

A recently published SALRI report includes 51 recommendations to the South Australian Government for changes to the law and practice, which include:

• Changing the present system in which the users pays for the service into a publicly funded one managed by the State Government
• Both volunteers, including family members and community figures, and paid professionals may act as communication partners so as to best cater for each person’s individual needs
• The role and value of pre-trial ground rules hearings, during which communication partners may help set the ground rules for subsequent trials
• Better promotion of the scheme especially to communities that most need it
• Various legislative changes
• Operational, cultural and training changes to improve knowledge and use of the CP role

 

JFA Purple Orange calls on all political parties and candidates to commit to implementing all these recommendations.

For further information, please contact Robbi Williams, CEO of JFA Purple Orange, on  
(08) 8373 8388 or robbiw@purpleorange.org.au.