Murri Court Coordinator

**About the Queensland Courts**

Queensland has over 130 established Magistrates Courts. Most criminal proceedings in Queensland are first heard in the Magistrates Court. If a matter is required to be transferred to a higher levelled court the matter may be heard in the District or Supreme Court. Unlike the Supreme and District Courts where a Judge presides, Magistrates Courts have no jury. Due to this, the Magistrate makes all decisions in criminal matters including any penalty.

Court sittings are held in locations across Queensland ranging from Thursday Island in the north, Goondiwindi in the south, Mount Isa in the west and Coolangatta in the east. Judges and Magistrates travel to remote and regional areas to ensure all Queenslanders have access to justice.

**Community Justice Group Program and Murri Court**

The Community Justice Group (CJG) Program was established in 1993 in response to the recommendations of the Royal Commission into the Aboriginal Deaths in Custody (RCIADIC).

Community Justice Groups aim to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People who are being over-represented in the Criminal Justice System through sensitising the justice system to the needs and cultural values of Our Mob. Through the ongoing support of members within the Community Justice Group, community, stakeholders and government agencies, the Community Justice Group is strengthened in reducing the incarceration rates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.

The Murri Court provides a culturally appropriate court process in which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture is respected and acknowledged. Murri Court is supported by Elders and Respected Persons from the Community Justice Group. The Elders/Respected Persons and the Coordinator provide The Courts oral and written submissions regarding a defendants personal and cultural background. The Courts are also provided information relating to appropriate services the defendant was linked into towards addressing their offending behaviour.

**About the Role**:
**Murri Court Coordinator**

The Murri Court Coordinator aims to provide support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander defendants appearing before Magistrate courts. The Coordinator is employed by Five Bridges, the auspice body that provides governance, recruitment, and management responsibilities for The Maroochydore Community Justice Group.

Five Bridges Pty Ltd is funded by the Department of Justice and Attorney-General (DJAG) for the delivery of services under the Community Justice Group program supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in contact with the justice system. Five Bridges Pty Ltd has partnered with The Maroochydore Community Justice Group to deliver the services within this program and to develop new services and programs that further the aims and objectives of the Maroochydore CJG.

**Empowering Our Mob Program**

Work alongside the MCJG and Five Bridges Ltd to develop a culturally appropriate and culturally focused holistic program, which addresses the issues significantly impacting on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our community. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander offender's behaviour is not unique to just our region in that they share the same individual and intergenerational problems that lead to the same or similar habitual and/or recidivist behaviour of other communities, such as (but not limited to):

- AOD addictions such as alcohol abuse, methamphetamines abuse (e.g. Ice/speed) and addictions that feed off these (gambling)
- Domestic violence and associated breaches
- Family and Elder Abuse
- Drink and Drug affected driving
- Lateral violence, aggressive and poor social behaviour
- Interpersonal and intergenerational trauma impacts, such as (but not limited to) loss of cultural identity, family breakdown, PTSD, mental health issues

**Five Bridges Public Intoxication Program**

The Five Bridges Public Intoxication - Case Management Program assists Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Men and Women impacted by public intoxication, aiming to reduce the recurrence of incarceration for public intoxication and related offences and seeks to change harmful drinking behaviour.

**Knowledge and Experience Required**
- Sound interpersonal and communication skills both written and verbal in public settings include demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.
- Sound knowledge or the ability to rapidly acquire sound knowledge of court processes, legislation, practices, and trends relating to the Criminal Justice System in Queensland.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively perform duties in an organisation, achieving goals and meeting deadlines.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively coordinate meetings and appointments with a broad range of stakeholders.
- Sound knowledge of computer technology systems and programs to assist with managing tasks and developing reports.
- Program management