|
At the meeting of the NHS in February, Aboriginal elder Mr. W Hipkin spoke about his involvement in the judicial system in Queensland, where the courts are attempting to deal with the large number of Aboriginal youths coming before the courts.
He said that Aborigines have a traditional fear of the police and white man's court procedures, and believe that even sympathetic officials do not understand their problems.
Mr. Hipkin says "Aboriginal law is far more effective than white man's law",and the Aborigine has far more respect for the Elders than he does for the police or magistrates.
In Queensland the accused Aborigine comes before three elders and a magistrate in an informal setting. The Elders deal with the case and recommend a suitable outcome, with which the magistrate usually agrees.
Chroming - the sniffing of paint fumes -is the cause of most Aboriginal problems. A similar system is now operating in Victoria and is proving more effective than the standard judicial system.
Mr Hipkin believes that the present crime rate is the result of the clash of two incompatible cultures, and as yet, no easy answer has been found.
Jean Ryan
|
|
