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Victorian Aboriginal Justice Agreement

The Victorian Aboriginal Justice Agreement (AJA) is a partnership between the Victorian Government and the Koori community, to achieve improved justice outcomes for Koories.

In accordance with the principles underlying the final report of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths In Custody (1991), the AJA aims to minimise Koori over-representation in the criminal justice system by improving accessibility, utilisation and effectiveness of justice-related programs and services in partnership with the Koori community.

The Koori community is central to the development and implementation of the AJA. A core principle of the AJA is maximising participation of the Koori community in the design, development, delivery and implementation of all justice policies and programs that impact on Koories. Regardless of whether the programs are community or government-based, there must be maximum participation by the Koori community if the initiative is to be successful.

Phase 1 of the AJA, launched in 2000, made important progress toward improving justice outcomes for the Koori community. After being reviewed in 2004, both the government and the Koori community renewed their commitment to the AJA, resulting in the development and release of the Victorian Aboriginal Justice Agreement Phase 2 (AJA2).

The AJA2 builds upon the solid foundations of the AJA and was launched in June 2006. It places greater emphasis on implementing and expanding upon the initiatives and opportunities identified in the AJA. The AJA2 outlines six objectives, broken down into a series of initiatives delivered over a period of four years.

The success of the AJA2 in achieving these objectives is now being measured and assessed as part of an independent evaluation, the outcomes of which will form part of the total body of information required to inform discussions and planning around future Koori justice initiatives.