Enhancing Remote Justice Services in Northern Territory

The Registrar-General's Office, administered by the Department of the Attorney-General and Justice in Northern Territory, implemented a pilot project to offer free Births, Deaths, and Marriages services to remote communities. This innovative project utilized new equipment and remote processing methods, enabling live certificate issuance on the spot. Close collaboration with community representatives ensured effective planning and seamless delivery of services. Logistics involved careful organization and communication with communities, emphasizing safety and informed visits.

• Justice Services
• Remote Communities
• Registrar-Generals Office
• Pilot Project
• Northern Territory

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1. Registrar Registrar- -General s Office General s Office Births, Deaths & Marriages Births, Deaths & Marriages Remote and Regional Circuit Program Jim Laouris, Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages 6 September 2018 www.nt.gov.au/justice

2. About Us The Registrar-General s Office is administered by the Department of the Attorney-General and Justice (AGD). AGD supports the delivery of an integrated, fair and accessible justice system towards a safer community. Main Functions Register Births, Deaths and Marriages Change of Names Adoptions Changes of Sex Marriage Celebrant Services Facilitate searches of the Registers Provide Statistical Information to Government Departments and other Organisations www.nt.gov.au/justice

3. The Project A priority for AGD is to increase justice services in remote communities across the Northern Territory. The office of Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM) initiated a pilot project to provide specific BDM services free of charge to remote and regional communities for a 3 months period commencing November 2017. What makes this project unique is that this is the first time we have been able to deliver our services remotely. The processing is carried out live using mobile routers in the community on the BDM Promadis system. Certificates are issued on the spot. Image sourced from http://www.abc.net.au www.nt.gov.au/justice

4. Technological Solution To be able to provide our services remotely new equipment was purchased. The department s IT Manager s and the Promadis Programmer worked together closely to come up with a solution to deliver our services. The equipment had to be pre-programmed and staff trained in the new functions and setup for remote travel. Mobile Equipment Printer Laptops Router Router Antenna Power board Power Leads Network Cables Laminator Pre-Printed Forms www.nt.gov.au/justice

5. Planning Stage The pilot project relied heavily on working closely with community representatives to ensure appropriate planning and effective delivery of our services. Initial Consultations to develop program Aboriginal Justice Unit Aboriginal Interpreter Service Local Court IT Services BDM Programmer-Promadis Community Consultations to deliver services Regional Councils Schools Health Clinics Aboriginal Corporations Employment and Training Service Providers www.nt.gov.au/justice

6. Logistics The logistics of travelling to a community to deliver these services involved a lot of pre- planning and organisation with the wider community. Some examples are listed below. Source a venue Ensure Telstra signal availability Ensure community is well informed of our visit and the services available Flights and hire cars Transport whilst in the community Accommodation Ensure safe travel of equipment and supplies Prior testing and maintenance of equipment Administrative requirements such as approval for travel Permits Ensuring staff safety www.nt.gov.au/justice

7. Delivery of Services Delivering the services directly to the people in their home community was very exciting for all involved. Staff were very well received with assistance offered from local organisations, councils and schools. Lines were out the door as staff were setting up. A lot of people were not able to complete forms themselves so staff sat with each customer individually to complete their applications. It was wonderful to have whole families come in and fix the records of their children and themselves. It was rewarding for people to have their birth certificate amended to their correct names and now being completed with their father s details. Images sourced from http://www.abc.net.au www.nt.gov.au/justice

8. Benefits for Individuals Obtain birth certificate in their correct name Obtain other key forms of identification such as a driver s licence Empowers people to make their lives better for themselves and their families Education for future generations Participation in training and employment programs www.nt.gov.au/justice

9. Benefits for Communities Improving on disadvantages remote people are faced with such as: Access to our services No Cost Face to face communication Education of importance of registering life events Having more community involvement in training and employment services Building relationships and partnerships Ability for other organisation to streamline their records www.nt.gov.au/justice

10. Pilot Project Statistics Amending Records 45 Add Father 64 Change of Names 403 Birth Certificates 1298 www.nt.gov.au/justice

11. Challenges We have had to overcome many challenges in this project. Some examples are: Absorbing costs without any additional funding Ensuring continued services at main office with limited staff Coordinating trips around staff availability and maintaining the Palmerston office Staff fatigue www.nt.gov.au/justice

12. Outcome Due to the success of the pilot project this initiative has now become an ongoing program delivered by BDM. The pilot project underwent a final evaluation process culminating in a report to the CEO of AGD which recommended a sustainable ongoing approach to delivering this program within budget. The success of this program has led to a collaboration with DriveSafe NT Remote. We now travel with DriveSafe to deliver services side by side. We have also been approached by the Federal Government's Passport Office to partner together in the future. Image sourced from http://www.abc.net.au www.nt.gov.au/justice

13. Feedback Thank you for a wonderful service. I m hopeful more visits to Maningrida will happen in 2019. Deborah Armstrong- Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation I would just like to say a big thank you from our team here at Pirlangimpi for the great work your team did yesterday doing change of names and birth certificates! Debra Turner- Tiwi Islands Training & Employment Board I can t tell you what a difference this makes for us. Alisa MacFie- Assistant Principle Tiwi College It's important so they'll have no problem when they grow up and they want to get new ID for themselves Ms Puantjimi It was really awesome to see everyone working together and I think it will have a great flow-on effect for so many things in the community. Debra Turner-Tiwi Islands Training & Employment Board Not many people have IDs a lot of teenagers after they turn 18, they can't get it until a year or so later - Mr Portaminni www.nt.gov.au/justice

14. Questions? www.nt.gov.au/justice