Governor-General makes flying visit

Australasian Institute of Judicial Administration president Christine Wheeler and representative Greg Reinhardt with Governor General Quentin Bryce.

Megan Lewis

GOVERNOR-General Quentin Bryce made a flying visit to Rockhampton yesterday.

Ms Bryce, one of Queensland's first women barristers and a former State director of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, delivered the opening address at the Second National Indigenous Courts Conference at Rockhampton Showgrounds.

She told delegates, including Kirsty Sword Gusmao, the First Lady of East Timor, of her respect for the special courts within the Australian justice system.

“I remember the first time I visited the Murri Court here in Rockhampton, when I was Governor of Queensland, not long after it was established in 2003,” she said.

“I sensed the extraordinary power of a court calibrated to indigenous belonging; the elders' endeavours in keeping people out of jail, creating bridges of trust, building and supporting communities.

“The atmosphere was like nothing I had encountered before.”

She said Indigenous courts - which comprise Nunga, Circle, Koori and Murri courts - represented better pathways and prospects for indigenous people.

“Here, in the Murri Court, I found something different. Beyond the sacredness of the law, a rich and compassionate wisdom shining through the faces of the elders.”

She said the special courts were inflected with cultural understanding and lateral thinking.

The two-day conference, in the Robert Schwarten Pavilion, is focused on specific procedures for dealing with indigenous offenders in Australia, New Zealand and elsewhere.

Also on the agenda is discussion of issues relevant to indigenous children and the courts.

There are now more than 30 Indigenous courts in Australia.

“They are about a conversation, about giving people a chance to have their say and to be heard,” the Governor-General said.

“They leave court knowing someone has listened to them, understanding what has happened to them, and connected to longer-term support networks.”

Mayor Brad Carter, who hosted a civic reception at Archer Park Museum for the delegates on Wednesday evening, said the city had been chosen as the venue because of the activities of Magistrate Annette Hennessey.