Get a first-hand account of the benefits of Aboriginal Community Justice Reports – and the challenges that go with their creation.
These reports, modelled on Canadian Gladue reports, provide judicial officers with a great deal of particularised and valuable insight into an Aboriginal litigant. However, they are costly and have special challenges – both in their preparation and use.
Judge Scott Johns, presiding judge of the County Koori Court, Charmain Anton, Statewide Community Justice Programs Leader, Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service, and Angie Wong, Public Defender, Victoria Legal Aid, will discuss both the advantages and challenges of these reports.
Speakers.
County Court of Victoria
Judge Scott Johns
His Honour Judge Scott Johns was appointed to the County Court in August 2018, and was appointed Judge in Charge of the County Koori Court in February 2022.
His Honour’s career in the law extends over a period of 25 years. His Honour was admitted to practice in May 1992, and worked for several years with the Victorian Office of Public Prosecutions before joining the Aboriginal Legal Aid Service in the Northern Territory. His Honour joined the Criminal Law Division of Victoria Legal Aid as a Senior Public Defender in 2001, and signed the Bar Roll in May 2003. His Honour’s practice at the Bar was predominantly criminal trial work, but also included appellate and judicial review matters, OH&S, migration review, administrative law and coronial hearings. His Honour was appointed Silk in November 2017.
Towards the end of his career at the Bar, His Honour was regularly appearing for the defence in Supreme Court murder trials.
County Court of Victoria
Judge Scott Johns
His Honour Judge Scott Johns was appointed to the County Court in August 2018, and was appointed Judge in Charge of the County Koori Court in February 2022.
His Honour’s career in the law extends over a period of 25 years. His Honour was admitted to practice in May 1992, and worked for several years with the Victorian Office of Public Prosecutions before joining the Aboriginal Legal Aid Service in the Northern Territory. His Honour joined the Criminal Law Division of Victoria Legal Aid as a Senior Public Defender in 2001, and signed the Bar Roll in May 2003. His Honour’s practice at the Bar was predominantly criminal trial work, but also included appellate and judicial review matters, OH&S, migration review, administrative law and coronial hearings. His Honour was appointed Silk in November 2017.
Towards the end of his career at the Bar, His Honour was regularly appearing for the defence in Supreme Court murder trials.
Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service
Charmain Anton
Charmain is a proud Mutthi Mutthi, Waddi Waddi, Wemba Wemba woman, who has been with VALS since 2019 where she started as the Client Service Officer for Swan Hill. In 2021, Charmain became Team Leader for Regional Client Service Officers. Charmain has previously held roles at the Department of Justice – Koori Justice Unit as the LAJAC worker for Loddon Mallee Region, MDAS – Manager Child and Family Services (Swan Hill), VACCA – Manager Child and Family Services (Swan Hill), and Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Services – Team Leader Family Services/ Cultural Support Planner. She holds a Graduate Certificate in Family Therapy from La Trobe University, a Certificate IV in Community Services (Specialising in Child Protection), and is currently completing her Diploma in Community Services at RMIT.
Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service
Charmain Anton
Charmain is a proud Mutthi Mutthi, Waddi Waddi, Wemba Wemba woman, who has been with VALS since 2019 where she started as the Client Service Officer for Swan Hill. In 2021, Charmain became Team Leader for Regional Client Service Officers. Charmain has previously held roles at the Department of Justice – Koori Justice Unit as the LAJAC worker for Loddon Mallee Region, MDAS – Manager Child and Family Services (Swan Hill), VACCA – Manager Child and Family Services (Swan Hill), and Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Services – Team Leader Family Services/ Cultural Support Planner. She holds a Graduate Certificate in Family Therapy from La Trobe University, a Certificate IV in Community Services (Specialising in Child Protection), and is currently completing her Diploma in Community Services at RMIT.
Victoria Legal Aid
Angie Wong
Angie Wong is a barrister and public defender at Victoria Legal Aid. Her practice encompasses criminal and administrative law.
Victoria Legal Aid
Angie Wong
Angie Wong is a barrister and public defender at Victoria Legal Aid. Her practice encompasses criminal and administrative law.