Bush court experience

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Tags: Indigenous, law, winter-2012

UQ student Lindsay Collins in front of the Nourlangie Rock in the Nawurlandja area, Kakadu National Park

Landing at a tin-shed airport after a turbulent light aircraft journey is not the usual start to a business trip, but such is the life of a lawyer on the bush court circuit in the Northern Territory.

Bachelor of Laws student Lindsay Collins got a taste of this lifestyle late last year while completing an internship with the criminal section of the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA).

NAAJA works to deliver high-quality and culturally appropriate Aboriginal legal services to the Top End.

It lobbies against areas of systemic disadvantage faced by Aboriginal people in the justice system: Indigenous people comprise roughly 30 percent of the population in the Northern Territory, yet represent more than 80 percent of the territory’s prison population.

Ms Collins’ five-week internship was based in NAAJA’s Darwin office, but she was also able to travel to two different bush courts – one at Daly River, and one in the Tiwi Islands, which are a 20-minute flight from the mainland.

“Once I arrived I realised why the lawyers had laughed when I asked how I would find them at the airport,” she said.

The bush courts are unique to the Northern Territory and consider matters which would normally be heard in a Magistrates Court.

While at Daly River, located approximately 210 km south-west of Darwin, Ms Collins was able to witness a community court hearing, where Indigenous elders have an opportunity to comment on the proceedings and suggest ways of reintegrating the accused into society.

“There was also a crocodile in the local swimming pool whilst I was at Daly River!” she said.

The placement was coordinated through the Aurora Native Title Internship Program, which introduces anthropology, law and social science students and graduates to career opportunities in native title, policy, social justice and Indigenous affairs.

The TC Beirne School of Law has been involved with the Aurora Native Title Internship Program project since 2008 and lecturers actively promote the scheme to students.

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