What we do

The Judicial Council on Diversity will:

(a)

commission research and undertake public consultation processes on issues relating to cultural and linguistic diversity in Australia’s judicial system, including but not limited to:

•	interaction of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and migrant and refugee communities with Australian courts and tribunals
•	attitudes of the judiciary toward Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and migrant and refugee communities – including identifying and minimising areas of discrimination or bias against these communities
•	attitudes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and migrant and refugee communities toward Australia’s judicial system – including improving knowledge, understanding and trust, and minimising areas of concern for Australia’s social cohesion·,
•	perceived and actual barriers to justice experienced by people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and migrant and refugee communities
•	interpreting and translating services in Australia’s judicial system
•	experiences of people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and migrant and refugee communities as jurors, litigants, or consumers of court or tribunal information;

(b)

develop and provide independent advice on protocols, best practice guidelines and proposals for dealing with cultural and linguistic diversity-related issues in Australian courts and tribunals, for consideration by the Council of Chief Justices;

(c)

develop practical tools addressing cultural and linguistic diversity-related issues that can be adopted by Australian courts and tribunals;

(d)

engage in two-way communication with the Cultural Diversity Justice Network regarding implementation of initiatives to improve access to justice for people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and migrant and refugee communities;

(e)

advocate to Australian Governments for greater funding and resources for courts and tribunals in relation to cultural and linguistic diversity-related issues; and

(f)

consult with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and multicultural communities.