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Report on the NSW Government's Implementation of the Recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody
Programs to reduce rate of motor vehicle offences That in jurisdictions where motor vehicle offences are a significant cause of Aboriginal imprisonment the factors relevant to such incidence be identified, and, in conjunction with Aboriginal community organisations, programs be designed to reduce that incidence of offending. Government’s original position: Supported Revised government position: Supported Agencies responsible for implementation: Department of Corrective Services; Roads And Traffic Authority Implementation report The Roads and Traffic Authority RTA continues to implement the Community Based Knowledge-Testing Program (CBKT) in Aboriginal locations across the State and is updating computers and providing further resources. This program targets people who have problems in understanding and reading the knowledge test, resulting in a high number of unlicensed drivers in outback communities. The program is run at Broken Hill, Menindee, Wilcannia, Bourke, Brewarrina, Dubbo, Forbes and Orange and is located in an appropriate location. This may be a local TAFE College, an Aboriginal Land Council Office, Skillshare or some other office that provides both a non-threatening environment for Aboriginal people and is available to the whole community. The program also caters for non-Aboriginal people, many of whom have some form of literacy problem. Many hundreds have participated in the program. Aboriginal people within local communities have been accredited to translate the RTA’s licence knowledge test to Aboriginal people and others. The Minister for Roads, Carl Scully MP announced on 20 March 1998, funding for new touch screen computers for all locations within the Western Region. The RTA continues to promote the project through advertising in the radio and print media. An evaluation of the project is also planned in 1999. Several hundred licenses in total across the above locations were gained through this program. A number of additional strategies have been put in to place to work towards reduction of Aboriginal people imprisoned for motor vehicle offences (unlicensed driving). Through the Aboriginal Employment Equity Plan, the RTA has made $250,000 available towards salaries and training for seven new Aboriginal identified positions in Motor Registries across the State. These positions have been placed in Motor Registries where there is a high Aboriginal population. People appointed gain knowledge, personal skills and experience necessary to carry out the duties required for the position of Customer Service Officer in RTA Motor Registries. The RTA has continued to work closely with other Government agencies in addressing motor vehicle offences. A pilot Licensing program has been introduced in conjunction with the Department of Corrective Services enabling inmates to undergo training to assist them in obtaining their licence before leaving the particular Centre. This program assists those inmates whose imprisonment is wholly or partly due to unlicensed driving. The pilot is being conducted at Bathurst Goal and is in the very early stages. Sixty inmates have undertaken the program with only a limited number being successful in obtaining a licence. The project is expected to be expanded to other centres such Kirkconnell, Oberon and Broken Hill. Implementation status Partially implemented Future reporting in Part A |
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