MWRC Welcomes Return of Regional Court Services While Calling for Long-Term Justice Reform
The return of local court services is important for communities across the Kimberley. It reflects the strong advocacy of Aboriginal organisations, legal services, community members and regional leaders who have spoken about how these closures have affected women, children, families and communities.
In recent weeks, MWRC has shared community concerns about the suspension of local court services and the impact on people living in remote areas. These included the need to travel long distances, disruption to caring responsibilities, difficulty taking part in legal processes, and the challenges faced by people who had to attend court far from home.
For many people in the Fitzroy Valley, these were not just administrative changes. They affected access to justice, community safety and family wellbeing.
As CEO Emily Carter AM said:
"We welcome the return of local court services and recognise the efforts made to fix these arrangements. Access to local courts is very important for women, children, families and communities across the Fitzroy Valley."
While the return of court services is positive, MWRC believes the past few months have highlighted bigger, ongoing issues that still need attention.
Access to justice is a basic human right. The suspension of local court services showed how easily this right can be affected for people in remote Aboriginal communities, where distance, cost, language barriers and cultural factors already make things difficult.
The organisation believes this disruption creates an opportunity to have a broader discussion about fair access to justice across regional and remote Western Australia.
Executive Officer David Couri said the return of court sittings should be seen as the start of longer-term reform, not the end of the conversation.
"The return of court sittings is very welcome, but we must keep talking about fairness, participation, interpreters, travel, cultural safety and access to legal services."
"We also need to ask hard questions about the impact of these disruptions, including how many family violence cases may have been withdrawn or could not go ahead because victims and witnesses could not safely or practically attend court."
"People in remote communities should not receive a lower standard of justice because of where they live. Access to justice is not a privilege - it is a basic right."
MWRC supports the Regional Alliance of Justice Associations' call for ongoing investment in regional justice systems and meaningful involvement of Aboriginal organisations and communities in creating long-term solutions.
The organisation also recognises the courage of community members who shared their experiences during this time, and the staff, legal services and community organisations who continued to support women, children and families despite the challenges.
MWRC looks forward to working with Kimberley organisations, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, legal services and government to improve access to justice and outcomes for Aboriginal people, families and communities across the region.
The return of local courts is an important step. Making sure everyone can access fair, culturally safe and timely justice - no matter where they liv - must remain the shared goal.
- Marnin Admin
