9AA—Nunga Court
(1) The purpose of the
Nunga Court is—
(a) to
include members of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in the
sentencing process; and
(b) to
provide an opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander defendants,
Magistrates, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders and Respected
Persons and other participants in the sentencing process to discuss the
offending, sentencing and criminal justice system; and
(c) to
increase the confidence of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
in the criminal justice system.
(2) The Nunga Court
has jurisdiction to determine and impose sentence for an offence or offences
heard and determined in the Criminal Division of the Court if—
(a) the
defendant is an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person; and
(b) the
defendant has pleaded guilty to the offence; and
(c) the
defendant has applied, in a manner and form determined by the
Chief Magistrate, to be sentenced for the offence in the Nunga Court.
(3) Except where the
Court is of the opinion that it is not appropriate to do so, the Court should
grant an application under subsection (2)(c) and transfer the defendant's
matter or matters to the Nunga Court for sentencing.
(4) In any proceedings
before the Nunga Court, the Nunga Court must take steps to ensure that the
proceedings are conducted—
(a) with
as little formality as is reasonably possible; and
(b) as
expeditiously as is reasonably practicable; and
(c) in a
way that is likely to be understood and followed by such of the following
persons as may be present at the proceedings:
(i)
the defendant;
(ii)
family members of the defendant;
(iii)
any other members of Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander communities.
(5) Nothing in this
section prevents the Court from establishing other programs or procedures in
respect of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander defendants.
(6) Nothing in this
section limits the Sentencing Act 2017 , the
Young Offenders Act 1993 or any other Act or law.