Mr ADAMSON - 1996-02-22
Can the Attorney-General confirm that 2 new appointments have been made to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I confirm that 2 important new appointments have been made to the staff of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. One is a victim support coordinator, the other an Aboriginal support coordinator. I am sure honourable members will recognise the very significant importance of both of these positions to ensure that victims of crime receive as much support as possible from the Office of the DPP in the very traumatic circumstances that involve them with the operations of justice. Given the fact that something like 70% of the client base of the work of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions are unfortunately Aboriginals, as defendants, as victims of crime or as witnesses in respect of crime, the importance of having an Aboriginal support coordinator is equally recognised.
Mr Bailey: What access to interpreters do they have?
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Mr HATTON: Just listen, will you? I am dealing with a different subject this time. Can you understand that?
Mr Bailey interjecting.
Mr HATTON: Just shut up and listen.
Mr Bailey interjecting.
Mr HATTON: Just shut up and listen. This is actually important.
The victim support coordinator position had been filled on a temporary basis for some time, but a permanent appointment has been made now and the position filled as from 12 February by Ms Nannette Hunter. Nannette is a Bachelor of Laws with an honours degree from the University of Queensland undertaken at Northern Territory University, a Bachelor of Education degree from Latrobe University in Victoria and other tertiary qualifications from Scotland, whence she originally hails. She taught at various schools in Victoria after arriving in Australia in 1974. She has been in Darwin since 1987 and, in 1994 and 1995, was the solicitor employed by the Domestic Violence Legal Help Service. Nannette has already established an important network with victim organisations in the Territory and will bring a mature and knowledgeable understanding of the relevant issues to her work. The office has been encouraged by the government to provide victim and witness support in this area.
The Aboriginal support coordinator position is a new position introduced on the initiative of the new director, with the support of the government. Veronica McClintic has been appointed to the position and is to commence on 4 March. Veronica has a degree of Bachelor of Laws from the University of New South Wales. Prior to that, she obtained a general nursing certificate and is a graduate nurse of Royal Darwin Hospital. From 1980 to 1994, she was a health worker and coordinator of the Aboriginal Women's Resource Centre in Darwin, prior to commencing her law course. From 1988 to 1994, she was employed as a legal officer with the Department of Law. During this time, she spent 2 years in the public prosecutions area. She has also spent time in child welfare and Aboriginal customary law research. Veronica was born in Darwin and is a true Territorian. She is well suited, by reason of her background, to deal with and provide support to Aboriginal victims or witnesses. It is necessary for the DPP's office to deal extensively with Aboriginal people during the course of its work in view, as said earlier, of the fact that about 70% of its cases involve them.
These appointments recognise the importance that the office and the government attach to the proper treatment of and regard for those members of the community who unfortunately are called upon to play a part in the system of the administration of justice.
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ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I confirm that 2 important new appointments have been made to the staff of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. One is a victim support coordinator, the other an Aboriginal support coordinator. I am sure honourable members will recognise the very significant importance of both of these positions to ensure that victims of crime receive as much support as possible from the Office of the DPP in the very traumatic circumstances that involve them with the operations of justice. Given the fact that something like 70% of the client base of the work of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions are unfortunately Aboriginals, as defendants, as victims of crime or as witnesses in respect of crime, the importance of having an Aboriginal support coordinator is equally recognised.
Mr Bailey: What access to interpreters do they have?
Page 1199
Mr HATTON: Just listen, will you? I am dealing with a different subject this time. Can you understand that?
Mr Bailey interjecting.
Mr HATTON: Just shut up and listen.
Mr Bailey interjecting.
Mr HATTON: Just shut up and listen. This is actually important.
The victim support coordinator position had been filled on a temporary basis for some time, but a permanent appointment has been made now and the position filled as from 12 February by Ms Nannette Hunter. Nannette is a Bachelor of Laws with an honours degree from the University of Queensland undertaken at Northern Territory University, a Bachelor of Education degree from Latrobe University in Victoria and other tertiary qualifications from Scotland, whence she originally hails. She taught at various schools in Victoria after arriving in Australia in 1974. She has been in Darwin since 1987 and, in 1994 and 1995, was the solicitor employed by the Domestic Violence Legal Help Service. Nannette has already established an important network with victim organisations in the Territory and will bring a mature and knowledgeable understanding of the relevant issues to her work. The office has been encouraged by the government to provide victim and witness support in this area.
The Aboriginal support coordinator position is a new position introduced on the initiative of the new director, with the support of the government. Veronica McClintic has been appointed to the position and is to commence on 4 March. Veronica has a degree of Bachelor of Laws from the University of New South Wales. Prior to that, she obtained a general nursing certificate and is a graduate nurse of Royal Darwin Hospital. From 1980 to 1994, she was a health worker and coordinator of the Aboriginal Women's Resource Centre in Darwin, prior to commencing her law course. From 1988 to 1994, she was employed as a legal officer with the Department of Law. During this time, she spent 2 years in the public prosecutions area. She has also spent time in child welfare and Aboriginal customary law research. Veronica was born in Darwin and is a true Territorian. She is well suited, by reason of her background, to deal with and provide support to Aboriginal victims or witnesses. It is necessary for the DPP's office to deal extensively with Aboriginal people during the course of its work in view, as said earlier, of the fact that about 70% of its cases involve them.
These appointments recognise the importance that the office and the government attach to the proper treatment of and regard for those members of the community who unfortunately are called upon to play a part in the system of the administration of justice.
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Last updated: 09 Aug 2016