Mr RIOLI - 1998-08-19
Territorians who speak Macedonian, Arabic, Polish, Turkish, Italian, Russian, Korean, Vietnamese and a host of other languages have right of access to an interpreter service. What responsibility does the Country Liberal Party government accept for providing Aboriginal Territorians with an equivalent interpreter service?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, a pilot study was conducted in relation to an Aboriginal interpreter service, and I have received the results of that pilot study.
The member for Arafura is quite correct when he states that there is an interpreter service for people who speak a range of other languages. This service does not include all other languages because, to be an interpreter, one needs a certain level of accreditation. One of the difficulties facing the implementation of an Aboriginal interpreter service is finding people who can achieve the necessary level of accreditation. The other difficulty that confronts the Northern Territory government in the establishment of such a service is that in excess of 200 languages and dialects are spoken in the Northern Territory by different Aboriginal groups. People are mistaken in believing that Aboriginal people comprise a homogeneous group, all of the same culture, all of the same language. They do not. That presents its own particular problems.
I am very conscious of the need to ensure that all Territorians, regardless of whether they are of Aboriginal, Yugoslav, German, Greek or whatever background and whatever their native tongue, have access to such facilities. We strive to do our best and we will continue to do so.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, a pilot study was conducted in relation to an Aboriginal interpreter service, and I have received the results of that pilot study.
The member for Arafura is quite correct when he states that there is an interpreter service for people who speak a range of other languages. This service does not include all other languages because, to be an interpreter, one needs a certain level of accreditation. One of the difficulties facing the implementation of an Aboriginal interpreter service is finding people who can achieve the necessary level of accreditation. The other difficulty that confronts the Northern Territory government in the establishment of such a service is that in excess of 200 languages and dialects are spoken in the Northern Territory by different Aboriginal groups. People are mistaken in believing that Aboriginal people comprise a homogeneous group, all of the same culture, all of the same language. They do not. That presents its own particular problems.
I am very conscious of the need to ensure that all Territorians, regardless of whether they are of Aboriginal, Yugoslav, German, Greek or whatever background and whatever their native tongue, have access to such facilities. We strive to do our best and we will continue to do so.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016