Community Updates: Jury Act (South Australia)

Deaf Australia acknowledges that the issue of Deaf Jury Rights has been quiet lately, but it does not mean that Deaf Australia is not doing anything about it.

Amending the current Jury Act in various states and territories is not an easy task, because it requires separate discussions with each state and territory government to amend its Jury Act to allow deaf people to serve as a member of jury.
Deaf Australia wishes to advise members of the deaf community of current developments in South Australia, led by The Hon Kelly Vincent MLC (member of Diversity Party), who is proposing a draft amendment bill to the Jury Act to include provisioning of Auslan interpreting to enable deaf people to serve as a juror.
Deaf Australia has reviewed draft amendment bill and is pleased to see that action is being considered. Deaf Australia advised The Hon Kelly Vincent that the amendment bill needs to be clarified to ensure that ‘professional’ interpreters registered with National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) be included to ensure that justice is provided with the highest standards, because the current draft does not specify this requirement.
Deaf Australia urges the South Australian deaf community to express support to MLC Kelly Vincent’s proposed draft amendment bill to Jury Act by sending her an email. MLC Kelly Vincent’s email address is [email protected].