A driving need: Early intervention for Indigenous people in the justice system

Description

Between 1999 and 2003 traffic and vehicle regulatory offences accounted for 11.9 per cent of recorded offences among Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara, a remote Aboriginal (APY) community in South Australia. The Palya Fund in partnership with the Anangu people has developed an initiative, the Mutuka Project, which may address this aspect of Indigenous imprisonment and reduce Indigenous over-representation in the Australian justice system. The Project seeks to train young Anangu to obtain employment as drivers. The training will be conducted by instructors able to provide nationally recognised certification. That training will include vehicle care, basic maintenance and will offer the chance to hold licences of various types. This article describes Palya Fund, APY Lands, and how Palya Fund and APY’s people are in partnership to establish the Project.