[Greens-Media] (Hale MLC) Aborigines merit access to MERIT

[Christopher Holley]

Media Release 
Sylvia Hale
NSW Greens MP and Police spokesperson
for immediate use

5 August 2009        
            
 
 
Aborigines merit access to MERIT:
Government must implement Auditor-General’s recommendations
 
Greens NSW spokesperson on Police, Sylvia Hale, MLC, has called on the
State Government to immediately implement the recommendations of the
Auditor-General’s performance audit of MERIT (Magistrates Early Referral
into Treatment).
 
The report, Helping Aboriginal defendants through MERIT, reveals that
in 2007-2008 only 273 out of 19,000 Aboriginal defendants before the
Courts were able to access the scheme, which diverts participants into a
three-month drug treatment program prior to being sentenced.
 
“The significant over-representation of Aboriginal people in the
State’s prisons is inexcusable,” said Ms Hale.
 
“Prisons simply compound the problems that result from Aboriginal
people being unable to access health, education, housing and employment
opportunities. 
 
“The government must abandon policies that aggravate Aboriginal
disadvantage and embrace those that work against it. Expanding access to
the MERIT scheme and repealing the bail laws that make it ever more
difficult to obtain bail are first steps well within the government’s
capacity.
 
“Widening the scheme to include defendants who have committed violent
or alcohol- related offences would be a first step, along with expanding
the numbers of MERIT clinics. 
 
“The Police in particular have a poor record of referring defendants to
MERIT. This should occur at time of arrest. All Local Area Commands
where MERIT operates should appoint appropriately trained Merit Liaison
Officers and ensure that Aboriginal Client Liaison Officers are familiar
with the scheme and its benefits,” Ms Hale said. 
 
 
 
 
 Contact: Chris Holley on 02 9230 3030 or 0437 779 546
 
 
 
 
Chris Holley
Policy and Media Officer
Office of Sylvia Hale MLC
Parliament House 
Macquarie St,
Sydney NSW 2000

Ph: 02 9230 3030 Mob: 0437 779 546
Fax: 02 9230 2159

E-mail: Christopher.Holley at parliament.nsw.gov.au
Web:www.sylviahale.org.au