News

April 2002

Outlook for 2002

2002 is shaping up as a year of exciting challenges and changes for NPEAB. While there are numerous ongoing projects that will be finalised this year, there are also a number of new projects which NPEAB will undertake. NPEAB's goal is to embark on projects that will have a direct positive impact on the lives of our CALD communities and which will be of practical use in improving and enhancing relations between police and Australia's multicultural society. The following is an outline of some of the projects NPEAB will initiate in 2002.

Guide for new arrivals

The provision and dissemination of accurate and current information to newly arrived migrants and refugees on Australian laws and the role of police in Australia is a priority area which can significantly assist successful settlement and promote social cohesion.

The Commonwealth Government under the "Living in Harmony" program recently announced its partnership with the National Police Ethnic Advisory Bureau to develop and produce a Guide on Australian Laws and the Role of Police in Australia for newly arrived migrants and refugees.

The National Police Ethnic Advisory Bureau will model the guide around the successful project entitled "You, the Law and Society" developed by the Queensland Police Service and Red Cross, Queensland in 1998.

The guide will be a national publication, which will be disseminated to newly, arrived migrants and refugees through various sources such as the Adult Multicultural Education Services (AMES).

Road safety conference

The issue of road safety is important to all Australians and a sound understanding of road laws and regulations is vital in reducing accidents and injuries. While there have been excellent campaigns and public education programs produced on road safety issues in Australia in recent times, there is still a lack of understanding of road safety from the perspective of people from CALD. In addition, there is little appropriate educational and awareness-raising material for people from CALD backgrounds and tourists in Australia.

To address this important need, the National Police Ethnic Advisory Bureau is planning a Road Safety Conference in 2002 in partnership with organisations such as the Transport Accident Commission (TAC), VicRoads, Victoria Police Traffic Branch and the RACV.

Some of the key issues that the Conference will be addressing include: drink driving, fatigue, motorcycle safety, pedestrian safety, seatbelts, speed, and road safety issues for tourists holding international licences. It is anticipated that the Conference will provide a valuable forum for the discussion of integrated approaches to road safety for people from CALD backgrounds and overseas visitors.

Media workshop

The contentious issue of sensationalised media reporting of incidents involving people from CALD backgrounds is, unfortunately, not a new one in our society. The effects of these reports on the communities that are singled out are often devastating and have long-term repercussions through the reinforcement of negative stereotypes. It is, therefore, timely that open discussion be conducted to address some of the key issues regarding the media and people from CALD backgrounds.

To this end, NPEAB will conduct a workshop inviting both mainstream and ethnic media representatives from radio, television and newspaper, police and representatives from CALD communities to discuss issues such as journalistic responsibility, accountability and reporting ethics.

The outcome of the workshop is to gain an understanding between NPEAB, Victoria Police, CALD communities and the media that fair and balanced reporting relating to CALD communities become standard procedure.