At this year’s Barunga Festival the Government announced a $1million investment to support the Barunga-Wugularr Law, Culture and Justice Committee.

The funding aims to help improve community safety and deliver justice solutions that work for people in the Barunga and Wugularr (Beswick) region south-east of Katherine.

Identified as a key action under the Bagala Traditional Owners Decision Making Agreement, the committee will work to reduce offending and recidivism rates by providing positive school, work and extracurricular pathways for young people as well as identifying on country rehabilitation opportunities.

The Law, Culture and Justice Committee will also aim to work closely with Police on local matters, design new youth programs based on identified gaps and work towards establishing a community court for the Barunga and Wugularr communities.

The Barunga-Wugularr Law, Culture and Justice Committee is the first group in the Big Rivers Region formally recognised under the Government’s Aboriginal Justice Agreement.

The Government believes law and justice groups will help strengthen cultural authority and leadership in Aboriginal communities and ultimately contribute to increased community safety and better justice outcomes.

Chief Minister Eva Lawler says the Government wants to work with Aboriginal communities across the Territory to reduce crime, improve community safety and deliver justice solutions that work.

“This agreement with the Bagala Traditional Owners will help to develop safer communities with greater opportunities for young people in Barunga and Wugularr,” Ms Lawler says.

Member for Arnhem Selena Uibo says the new committee will help in the development of local justice solutions that work best for the two communities,” Ms Uibo says.