Mr Hulls said the pilot program, based at the Latrobe Valley Court complex in Morwell, would build on the success of Victoria’s seven Koori Courts and two Children’s Koori Courts.

“Many Aboriginal people see the justice system as a foreign institution that alienates them from their land and culture,” he said.

“Aboriginal people continue to be over-represented in the criminal justice system at unacceptable and disproportionate rates and the County Koori Court will seek to break down the disengagement that Indigenous people have traditionally had with courts.”

Mr Hulls said Koori adults were 12 times more likely to be imprisoned than non-Indigenous Victorians. Indigenous children aged between 10 and 17 are 16 times more likely to be in juvenile detention than other children.

“Koori Courts are one of many programs under the Aboriginal Justice Agreement designed to tackle the problem of the over-representation of the Indigenous community in the justice system,” he said.

The County Koori Court’s jurisdiction will be the same as the County Court, however sexual and family violence offences will be exempt.

“Victoria’s Koori Courts, and the County Koori Court, do not create a separate justice system – the sentencing options are the same as in the mainstream courts and the judge retains authority,” Mr Hulls said.

“The County Koori Court will operate in an informal atmosphere which allows for greater participation by the Koori community in the court process through the involvement of Aboriginal Elders and Respected Persons who help identify the cause of the criminal behaviour.”

Mr Hulls said offenders who face their Elders in the Koori Court are 50 per cent less likely to re-offend than those who have gone through the mainstream court system.

Morwell’s Latrobe Valley Court Complex was chosen as the location for the pilot in partnership with the Victorian Koori community. 

“The philosophy of the County Koori Court is that all possible available support should be present for the defendant and the Gippsland region is well placed to do this,” Mr Hulls said.

“This region has a host of culturally appropriate services, such as a drug and alcohol worker at the Latrobe Valley Magistrates’ Koori Court, a Koori Offender Support and Mentoring Program and the Wulgunggo Ngalu Learning Place for Koori offenders on community-based orders.”

Mr Hulls said the pilot program drew heavily on the experience of the Magistrates’ Koori Court Model and the Children’s Koori Court. The County Koori Court will be evaluated over a four-year period by an independent body. 

“All Victorians -- regardless of gender, language, cultural or geographic background – should feel that they are part of a system that is relevant to them and accessible by them,” he said

“This is a significant day for the Brumby Government, but what has been most important in the development of this pilot program is the level of support shown by Koori communities in engaging with a justice system which has previously and continuously failed them.”

Mr Hulls recognised the work of the Victorian County Court, Latrobe Valley Court, the County Koori Court project team and reference group, the Department of Justice’s Indigenous Issues Unit, and the Gippsland Regional Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committee in making the pilot program a reality.

“Most of all, I would like to recognise the Elders and families for their wisdom and their willingness to help improve the justice system,” he said.

The County Koori Court will begin hearing cases in December.