The Walama List – First Nations voices in District Courts

Play
Stop
 
 
Image courtesy of Andrii Yalanskyi via Shutterstock

New pilot program, The Walama List, recently announced by the NSW government is the first move towards including First Nations voices in the legal system. The scheme, starting in February 2022, aims to take a holistic approach to sentencing, taking into account factors such as drug abuse, intergenerational trauma and family violence, in an attempt to reduce reoffending. Judge Dina Yehia will be making the sentencing decisions with Aboriginal elders and respected community members will be involved in those discussions.

Whilst many are hopeful that this announcement will lead to further initiatives that include First Nations’ voices, some have concerns surrounding the framework of the program being a list rather than a court.

(Visited 26 times, 1 visits today)
Download Audio

The Wire is produced in partnership by

Contributor Stations

Supporters and Program Distribution