Remote Court Closures Create Structural Barriers to Justice for Aboriginal Communities

The recently announced suspension of court sittings across many regional and remote parts of Western Australia has raised serious concerns for Aboriginal communities throughout the Kimberley and other remote regions.

While public commentary has largely focused on criminal proceedings, the impacts are broader than many initially understood.

The affected Magistrates Courts and Children’s Courts are also responsible for hearing:

• Family Violence Restraining Orders (FVROs)
• child protection matters
• youth matters
• civil and community justice matters
• other protective legal proceedings relied upon by women and families

For remote Aboriginal communities, the closure or suspension of local court services creates practical and structural barriers to accessing justice.

In many locations, people may now be required to travel hundreds of kilometres to attend court. Others may be expected to engage via phone or video link despite limited connectivity, transport, digital access or culturally safe support.

For women and children experiencing family violence, delays or barriers in accessing restraining orders and protective legal processes can have serious consequences.

Marninwarntikura Women’s Resource Centre is deeply concerned that the burden of these changes will fall disproportionately on Aboriginal communities already experiencing significant disadvantage and systemic barriers within the justice system.

This issue also highlights broader concerns about equitable access to government services in remote Australia. Communities should not receive a lesser standard of justice because of where they live.

The current situation demonstrates the urgent need for sustained investment in regional justice infrastructure, culturally safe service delivery, and long-term solutions that ensure remote Aboriginal communities can access timely and effective legal protections.

Read the full statement from the Regional Alliance of Justice Associations (RAJA)

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