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Fears SA laws will cause higher Aboriginal incarceration rates

While the rate of Indigenous incarceration is on the rise across Australia, South Australian community leaders are calling for a rethink on a new bill which could see more people going to jail for not paying fines, NITV News reports.

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Reactions arise after this weeks release of Indigenous incarceration figures.

1 min read

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Updated

By Jeremy Geia

Source: NITV News


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While the rate of Indigenous incarceration is on the rise across Australia, South Australian community leaders are calling for a rethink on a new bill which could see more people going to jail for not paying fines.

The Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement says it's concerned the State's proposed 'Penalty Enforcement Bill' could see people jailed for not meeting unpaid fines.

Legal Aid's Lawyer Christopher Charles says current legislation allows the magistrate to consider incidents case by case.

But he says under the new laws, discretionary powers and other provisions that allow people to perform community service to pay off their debt will be removed.

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