Today, the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1) and (Division 2) (the Courts) proudly hosts their inaugural First Nations Forum in Brisbane, involving leaders from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community led legal and social services sector and other services supporting First Nations children and families through the family law system. Representatives from First Nations led Commissions, researchers, advocates and practice experts are also attending.
The event provides an opportunity for Judges and court representatives to connect with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sector and community leaders to discuss current approaches to working with First Nations families in the context of relationship breakdown.
A new film will be launched at the event, which features some of the Courts' Indigenous Family Liaison Officers who explain how they provide support to families that may need help to resolve issues relating to the care and living arrangements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
Chief Justice the Hon Will Alstergren AO, said that the First Nations Forum is about the Courts listening and engaging in a meaningful way to discuss how to build trust and improve access to justice for our First Nations people.
"Today marks an opportunity to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to listening and learning from community, considering ways for the Courts to be innovative and responsive, and to delivering tangible action that will better meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parties and children.
"Today, we have also launched a film that explains the role of our incredible Indigenous Family Liaison Officers. It is a much-needed resource and I encourage everyone to watch it and to share it," Chief Justice Alstergren said.
A key convenor of today's event is the Courts' Director - Indigenous Operations, Policy & Support, Ms Kirsty Maylin, a proud Wirangu, Kokatha & Western Arrarnta woman.
"We are honoured to host the First Nations forum, which marks a significant step towards improving access to justice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.
"Our commitment to supporting families in need through the family court is steadfast.
"We believe that this forum will serve as a conduit for more meaningful conversations and collaborations, leading to better outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and most importantly, for our children. We look forward to enabling open dialogues, deep listening and understanding and we hope to better address the complexities and needs of those navigating the family court system," Ms Maylin said.
Guest speaker, Ms Thelma Schwartz, Principal Legal Officer, Queensland Indigenous Family Violence Legal Service (QIFVLS), a family violence prevention legal service (FVPLS) and one of the 15 members of the First Nations Advocates Against Family Violence (FNAAV - formerly the National Family Violence Prevention Legal Services Forum), welcomed the Forum and the opportunity to participate.
"On behalf of QIFVLS, I am very pleased and honoured to participate in the Courts' First Nations Forum. Organisations, such as QIFVLS and the FVPLS' play an important function in delivering vital services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples impacted by domestic, family and sexual violence across Australia, especially in regional and remote areas. We also demonstrate important ways of working with, for and by our communities in providing holistic intersectional service responses not only in state courts but as well as our work supporting our clients accessing the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA). This is an important first step in discussing, creating, and shaping service system responses that are responsive to the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples accessing services in the FCFCOA," Ms Schwartz said.
About the First Nations Forum
Over the past several years, significant work and court resources have been committed to initiatives that are aimed at improving access to justice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families. As part of that commitment, the Hon Chief Justice Alstergren AO, together with the Courts' First Nations staff, has initiated this event as an opportunity to start a journey of true collaboration to support our First Nations communities, to increase our capability and knowledge as Courts to enable referrals for First Nations families to holistic, culturally responsive services that work, and improve access to justice.
The Forum brings together more than 80 key stakeholders, including Judges, Registrars, Court Child Experts and Indigenous Family Liaison Officers who work collaboratively within the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.
About the film
The Courts engaged First Nations led Production Company, Campfire X, to help create a film that explains the role of the Courts' Indigenous Family Liaison Officers in a way that would be accessible to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families. The staff that feature in the film explain how they support families who are navigating the family law system; build and maintain relationships between the Courts, communities, support services and local cultural organisations; provide support to judicial officers for Specialist Indigenous Lists, and; engage with and educate local communities about the role of the federal courts and the differences to state and territory courts.
The film is available from the Courts' website www.fcfcoa.gov.au/indigenous, and work is underway to provide translated versions in the coming months.
