THE success of the Warrnambool Koori Court in reducing the incidence of crime among local indigenous people was hailed at its 10th anniversary celebrations yesterday.
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However, local Aboriginal elders who have served on the court said it still faced big challenges.
One elder, Uncle Lenny Clarke, of Framlingham, warned that methamphetamine — commonly known as ice — was destroying Aboriginal communities and causing many people to face the justice system.
Another court elder, Aunty Laura Bell, of Heywood, also used the anniversary celebrations to lobby state Attorney-General Robert Clark, who spoke at the celebrations, for more funds for the Koori Court system.
Aunty Laura, who announced her retirement at the celebrations after 10 years as a court elder, told Mr Clark that funding cuts for the Koori Court should be reversed.
Senior Sergeant Shane Keogh, of Warrnambool police, said the incidence of crime among local indigenous people, both as victims and offenders, was “going through the roof” soon after the local Koori Court was set up in 2004.
In 2005-2006, there were about 600 offences by indigenous people but the Koori Court had helped to cut that number in half.
Senior Sergeant Keogh said the Koori Court was part of a multi-agency effort working on the issues that caused repeat crimes by indigenous offenders.
