South Australian Government Overarching Indigenous Strategic Policy Framework

Partnering Agreement between the Government of South Australia and ATSIC (2001-2004)

The Partnering Agreement between the Government of South Australia and ATSIC was ratified in 2001, as a result of the signing in June 2001 of the South Australian State Communique (by the ATSIC Chair, the South Australian Zone Commissioner, the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and the Premier of South Australia). This Agreement only had effect until December 2004.

The overall objective of the Partnering Agreement was to improve conditions for Aboriginal people of South Australia through a multi-agency approach and in partnership with Aboriginal people.  Law and justice was one of the priority areas for action. There was a commitment to work collaboratively with Aboriginal people to improve justice outcomes, to address Indigenous overrepresentation in the justice system, and to prevent deaths in custody. Specific objectives relating to sentencing and punishment include a commitment to consider improvements to mental health services for prisoners which are culturally appropriate.  Within the Agreement, the parties stated their commitment to formulate and implement a State Aboriginal Justice Plan, encompassing, inter alia, measures aimed at improving the Aboriginal community's relationships with the judiciary and prison authorities; and at expanding the Aboriginal court day practices.

South Australia's Strategic Plan - Creating Opportunity - 2007 (and South Australia's Strategic Plan (2004))

There have been two whole-of-government Strategic Plans developed by the Department of Premier and Cabinet, South Australia.  The first Plan was released in 2004, and a second, revised document was released in 2007, following completion of a review in 2006 by the Strategic Plan Audit Committee (South Australia's Strategic Plan Progress Report 2006).  Both Plans set out 6 target areas directed towards improving opportunity for all South Australians.  There is some reference to Indigenous South Australians in some of those target areas.    For instance, within the target area ‘Expanding opportunity', the life circumstances gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people is noted (including in relation to imprisonment).

The Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation Division (AARD), Department of Premier and Cabinet, has indicated that a State Aboriginal Strategic Plan is due for release some time in the near future, with community safety and justice being one of the nominated priority areas.