Source: (1985) In: K. Hazlehurst (ed.), Justice Programs for Aboriginal and Other Indigenous Communities. Phillip Act, AUS: Australian Institute of Criminology, pp. 143-151.
This paper describes the operation and effectiveness of voluntary mediation in community justice centers in New South Wales (Australia). Although community justice centers are not specifically aimed at Aboriginal communities, they facilitate such communities resolving disputes in accordance with Aboriginal cultural values. Centers have aided in the resolution of approximately half of their disputes. Centers’ effectiveness depends upon disputants having proper legal protection through enabling legislation as well as the careful selection, training, and supervision of mediators. Following the first year’s evaluation of the centers, the government has institutionalized the project. Extracts from the 1983-84 annual report cover the nature of disputes, the escalation of disputes, and the outcome of intervention.
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