STANDING BESIDE EMPOWERING REACHING OUT

COURT NETWORK 2015-16 ANNUAL REPORT CONTENTS

PRESIDENT’S REPORT 2

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT 4

ABOUT US 6

VICTORIAN STATE MANAGER’S REPORT 8

QUEENSLAND STATE MANAGER’S REPORT 10

OUR REACH 12

LISTENING TO OUR PARTNERS 14

SUPPORT FOR VICTIMS 15

FAMILY VIOLENCE COURT SUPPORT 16

STANDING BESIDE UNREPRESENTED PEOPLE 19

LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT 20

EXPANDING OUR FOCUS 22

CELEBRATING THE YEAR 23

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 26

OUR STAFF 28

TREASURER’S REPORT 29

FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE 30

FINANCIAL POSITION 31

CASH FLOW STATEMENT 32

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 33

STATEMENT BY THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE 36

AUDITOR’S REPORT 37

TABLE OF STATISTICS FOR REFERENCE 39

GLOSSARY 40 162,560 COURT USERS ASSISTED

*DOES NOT INCLUDE DUTY CALLS (VIC) OR INFO LINE (QLD)

COURT NETWORK ANNUAL REPORT 2015–16 1 PRESIDENT’S REPORT

I HAVE RECENTLY BEEN READING Department of Health and Human Services; and ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF in Queensland, the Department of Justice and REFLECTION AND GRATITUDE IN OUR Attorney-General and Victims Assist Queensland. LIVES AND IT SEEMS TIMELY THAT Like all contemporary institutions, courts THIS SHOULD INFLUENCE THE THEME continue to be faced with social and OF MY CONTRIBUTION TO THE ANNUAL organisational changes, including demands for more flexible models of service that better REPORT, AS IN THIS MY THIRD AND meet participants’ needs, more formal quality FINAL PRESIDENT’S REPORT THERE IS assurance systems and greater efficiencies. No MUCH TO REFLECT ON AND MUCH FOR one knows this better than our funders, Patrons, WHICH TO BE GRATEFUL. other Heads of Jurisdictions, court staff and Networkers who work on the floor of thirty-three We were honoured during the year when courthouses across Queensland and Victoria. the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Queensland, the Honourable Catherine Holmes In the six years that I have served on the Board SC, became our newest Patron. She joins Her I have seen Court Network also adapt to these Excellency the Honorable Linda Dessau AM, demands. Most significantly we have: Governor of Victoria, the Honourable Diana • Sharpened our focus on the quality and Bryant AO, Chief Justice of the Family Court of consistency of our core services by revising Australia and the Honourable Marilyn Warren AO, our training programs, introducing Volunteer Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Victoria Reviews, establishing a new quality as our fourth Patron. We are grateful as an framework across both states and refining our organisation for our Patrons’ continued support, staffing structures which is based on their practical knowledge of, and respect for, the positive difference • Increased our flexibility through developing Networkers make to the functioning of courts. new services such as the Victim Support Unit in Brisbane, the Unrepresented Litigants I would also like to thank the heads of all the project in the Melbourne Registries of the jurisdictions in which we operate, along with Family Court and Federal Circuit Court of their judicial colleagues and court staff for their Australia, and the Sunshine Family Violence continued support of our work. Court Support Project We could not provide a contemporary service • Better secured our finances - in Victoria without funding that underpins the quality of our negotiating a real-cost budget with Court services through the recruitment, ongoing training Services Victoria, and in Queensland and support of our volunteer Networkers. We negotiating longer term funding for our core are grateful to our funders in Victoria – Court service and a one-year extension for the Services Victoria, Victoria Legal Aid, Victorian Victim Support Unit

2 INFORMATION SUPPORT REFERRAL A REFLECTION Funding negotiations and financial sustainability my time as President, as well as other Board will always however remain a key focus of Members with whom I have served and who the Board, and the whole organisation must have so generously volunteered their time to the continue to develop its services, standards and organisation. In particular I would like to publicly quality monitoring if it is to remain relevant and thank our Vice President Julie Steel, Treasurer responsive to the needs of courts and court users. Don Tidbury and Secretary Jennifer Evans, all of whom have added great value to the work of the We are most fortunate to have a dedicated team Board in their Executive roles. of paid staff to assist us in these endeavours. Led by our Executive Director Dr Melanie WE ARE A STRONG AND RESOURCEFUL Heenan and State Managers Bernadette Burchell in Victoria and Annette Hogan in ORGANISATION AND THAT STRENGTH IS Queensland; this small team spread across BUILT UPON THE INTEGRITY OF OUR MODEL, metropolitan, rural and regional locations works OUR WILLINGNESS TO SELF-REFLECT AND tirelessly to facilitate the systems that enable us ADAPT JUDICIOUSLY, ALONG WITH THE to achieve our aims. One of the great pleasures COMMITMENT OF THOSE WHO SUPPORT for me in the role of President has been to more OUR EFFORT; closely observe this team in operation and in particular the exceptional leadership skills of Networkers, Members, Patrons, judiciary, court Melanie to whom I am indebted for her strategic staff, funders and other supporters. As I leave I insight, support and sense of humour. see an organisation with a committed volunteer workforce of more than 400 Networkers, a I was elected to the Court Network Board six passionate, skills-based Board, a knowledgeable years ago having been seconded some months and hard-working team of paid staff, and a earlier at the invitation of then President Barbara sound financial position. An organisation well Rozenes. I will be eternally grateful to Barb and placed to face the future confidently and for all Evi Kadar (also a Board Member at that time) of this, I am truly grateful. for introducing me to this wonderful organisation and creating the opportunity for me to contribute to its work. I also wish to personally thank our Founder Carmel Benjamin AM, Immediate Past President The Honourable Philip Cummins AM, and former President Gillian Harris who have provided great counsel to me during GARRY ROACH President

COURT NETWORK ANNUAL REPORT 2015–16 3 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT

ADVOCACY PARTNERS Beyond our support of individual court users This year we consulted our partners and lies our obligation to represent their collective stakeholders seeking their views on the experience of the system to those with the effectiveness of our services. We asked them to power to change policy for the future. rate our value and show where we could improve access to justice for court users. More than 150 This year, Court Network has: of our stakeholders took part in the survey, with • Contributed to the Family Law Council’s review many reflecting on the capacity of Networkers into improved responses to families with to manage complexity and to have to a real and complex needs within the family law system immediate effect on the emotional and practical “WHEN YOU ARE UNSURE OF THE • Participated in a national private roundtable needs of people, many of whom are profoundly EXPERIENCE OF COURT AND WHAT convened by the Royal Commission into anxious or distressed. We were equally pleased Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse that some provided feedback on how we can do HAPPENS, THE NETWORKERS REALLY better with court users, with our operations, or HELP AND SORT OF CALM YOU. THEY about the court support needs of victims going through the criminal trial process, including our relationships with them. ARE HAPPY TO EXPLAIN THE PROCESS adult survivors of childhood sexual assault OF YOUR DAY HERE AT COURT. IT SCALE OF SUPPORT • Contributed to consultations led by the The scale of service delivery is remarkably TAKES A LOT OF THE STRESS OUT OF Victorian Law Reform Commission into victims’ high with more than 160,000 people assisted THE EXPERIENCE…” experience of the criminal trial process by Court Networkers across Queensland and – COURT USER • Participated in the high-level state wide Victoria this year. That is around 350 people collaborative service and strategic planning assisted per volunteer. We never imagined that people we support process conducted by the legal assistance in courts each day would take up the option service sector at the request of the Attorney AT THE HEART OF OUR ACHIEVEMENTS to provide feedback to us in such staggering General; and IS A VOLUNTEER WORKFORCE proportions. More than 1,300 people told • Presented on our workforce capability us about their experience of the service they WHOSE COMMITMENT TO THE strategy at the triennial National Volunteering COURT NETWORK MISSION IS received from Networkers throughout this Conference of 2016 past year. Victims of crime, family members of UNSHAKEABLE, AND A HIGHLY people accused of crime, young people, those We have also been an active member of the SKILLED, OVER-STRETCHED, PAID involved in family violence matters, those without Victorian Chief Magistrate’s Taskforce aiming STAFF TEAM THAT LIKEWISE KEEPS legal representation in family court matters, to implement the recommendations of the neighbours, families sitting through the agony of Royal Commission into Family Violence joining A SUPPORTIVE MANAGEMENT EYE the Coroners Courts – you will see a sample of all jurisdictions, government departments, and ON THE SOCIAL JUSTICE HORIZON. specialist family violence services. their comments scattered throughout the pages Our Board is another, no less committed group of this Annual Report. of volunteers. It has remained steadfast in its INNOVATION It is heartening to hear from them. But it is also resolve to ensure that we adopt and maintain the We have deepened our innovation work in three an indication of where we have set our sights in highest professional standards for a volunteer critical areas of justice reform. In the pages relation to achieving our Mission. Reaching out organisation and to effectively observe its ahead, you will read about the consolidation to court users and achieving a positive impact obligations around good governance. Garry of our cross-jurisdictional case management on their experience of the justice system is what Roach, our much admired outgoing President of approach with more than 500 victims supported we are about. Feedback from court users helps some three years, with his collaborative leadership through the Victim Support Unit in Brisbane and us to understand how we have impacted on style and depth of experience in organisational Ipswich; of our intensive outreach model with them, but it also indicates that we want to be change management, has been instrumental in unrepresented people in the Melbourne Family accountable to the community we serve. steering this process. Courts in final hearings to determine child contact orders; and of our pilot family violence project at the Sunshine Magistrates’ Court, identifying risk and connecting women with specialist and other community services where they would have otherwise fallen through the gap.

4 INFORMATION SUPPORT REFERRAL OUR IMPACT

QUALITY Alongside increased funder and compliance expectations to demonstrate service quality, is our OUR SINCERE THANKS TO own commitment to the community to provide a reliable and consistent quality service, no matter • The Honourable Philip Cummins AM for remaining an important figure in which court or jurisdiction in which they might find the life of the organisation and for his generosity and enthusiasm in performing themselves. Our new Learning and Development the role of Chair in oversighting Reference Groups for two flagship projects – Program, featured in this Annual Report, provides the Victim Support Unit and the Unrepresented Litigants Project. the framework for supporting our volunteer workforce for the duration of their time with the • Our Founder, Carmel Benjamin AM for her generosity in saying ‘yes’ organisation, from recruitment to retirement, with to all that we ask of her. She remains an important and highly valued continuous education and practice development sounding board for me personally, and I thank her deeply for her insights and opportunities to refresh those skills that are encouragement in supporting our efforts to ensure the social justice benefits integral to the court-support role. of Court Network’s services continue to be fully realised. OUTLOOK FOR 2016/17 • Consultants Janice Watt, Ian Parsons, Katie Wright, and Wei Leng Kwok We will: who have variously supported us with the development and implementation of projects, as facilitators, submission writers, and shown goodwill, understanding 1. Progress our vision to provide effective support to people affected by family violence, and respect for such committed volunteers. Janice Watt has travelled with us strengthen our capability to identify risk, and the furthest, with grace and skill – thank you Janice. complement the integrated service response • Christine Heyting, or ‘the Gift’ as we’ve come to know her, for the available to maximise women’s and children’s enormous value she has donated to the organisation over this past year. She safety and to connect victims and perpetrators with appropriate referral pathways has generously shared executive level experience in organisational change 2. Reach out to victims in the regions: extend management, human resources, communications, coaching and professional the reach of our Victim Support Unit through development, facilitation and planning…as well as an infinite supply of home- piloting the use of technology to provide a baked goodies. service to victims of crime on the Sunshine • The pro bono support of Herbert Smith Freehills and Special Counsel Coast and in Gympie thanks to our funders at Dean Farrant in particular for his professional and wise counsel to the Victim Assist Queensland organisation on all manner of legal and human resource related issues. 3. Seek new opportunities to extend our knowledge and skills in working with Penny Bourke from Essence Advertising and executive coach Pauline Unrepresented Litigants in the Family Court Lee also committed high-end expertise to us at no cost. to tailor a response for working in other • Victorian Ambassador Barbara Rozenes for continuing to promote Court jurisdictions for people with little or no support Network and the impact that flows to the court user community as a result of or legal representation having a grass roots community service delivered by trained volunteers in the I look forward to reporting on the progress we’ve courts. Barbara does this from a positon of real authority. She remains one of made with these initiatives. In the meantime, I our longest serving volunteers at the County Court, and is a former President encourage you to reflect on this past year with us, and to celebrate a volunteer workforce whose of the Court Network Board. impact on the community they serve each day in • And last but by no means least, to those Networkers who alongside their courts across Victoria and Queensland is profound. volunteering efforts in courts each week, respond to a variety of public speaking requests throughout the year to promote awareness about Court Network in the community. We especially acknowledge the persistent efforts

of Judy Banks in this context.

DR MELANIE HEENAN Executive Director

COURT NETWORK ANNUAL REPORT 2015–16 5 ABOUT US

“COURT NETWORKERS PROVIDE EMOTIONAL SUPPORT, INFORMATION ABOUT COURT PROCESSES AND THEY ARE MINDFUL OF PEOPLE’S SAFETY AND ASSIST THEM TO BE AND FEEL SAFE IN AND AROUND THE COURT PRECINCTS. THEIR WORK IS INVALUABLE.” – STAKEHOLDER

“YOU CANNOT UNDERESTIMATE THE IMPACT FOR PEOPLE OUR VISION COMING TO COURT TO FEEL: I AM NOT To provide the community with HERE BY MYSELF” volunteers who stand beside, empower and instil confidence in all – STAKEHOLDER court users

OUR MISSION To provide support, information and referral to persons attending court and to advocate for the needs of all court users

6 INFORMATION SUPPORT REFERRAL ADVOCACY & EMPATHY

OUR STRATEGIC HIGHLIGHTS VALUES PRIORITIES OF 2015-16

• Piloted a model that bridges a gap Impartiality • Improve reach in family violence court support and impact of Empathy • Developed tools to assist Dinka our services and Vietnamese speaking Compassion communities in the Family Courts • Strengthen and • Provided a lifespan approach to learning and development for Accessibility support our Networkers volunteer network • Implemented a continuous education Pride program focused on refreshing • Build strong foundational practice skills • Conducted a survey with partnerships key stakeholders to support continuous improvement • Establish a • Participated in national, state and local sustainable opportunities to promote the justice and service needs of court users organisational • Secured new funding agreements to base support core programs and continue innovation in victim support

COURT NETWORK ANNUAL REPORT 2015–16 7 VICTORIAN STATE MANAGER’S REPORT

THE KEY FOCUS OF THE PAST YEAR integrated family violence system of support that HAS BEEN ON PRACTICE QUALITY AND operates at the court and within the community. PRACTICE INNOVATION. With the opportunity of additional project funding we have delivered this training and developed We have wanted to ensure confidence at the an enhanced level of support for women and Board level and the stakeholder level that the children at the Sunshine Magistrates’ Court with front line experience of community members the patronage and support of Magistrate Noreen who use the support of Networkers in the Toohey and the court staff and community various courts and jurisdictions in Victoria are stakeholders. This project has resulted in our receiving a quality community service that is Networkers increasing the safety and wellbeing consistent with the vision, mission and values we of ninety-six women in a six-month period who espouse at Court Network. would otherwise have slipped through gaps in This has meant increasing our capability in the services’ system. volunteer and community services management, We concluded the project this year that has building our front line practice capability in seen the establishment of an enhanced service community services provision according to response to people without legal representation contemporary standards, and developing our involved in a final hearing in matters involving staff, both volunteer and paid staff, to be children in the Family Court (Melbourne registry). effective participants in the court’s efforts to We are proud of what our highly skilled volunteer improve the safety of women and children workforce can deliver given the opportunity for affected by family violence. additional training and with the benefit of program and project management support. I appreciate OUR INVESTMENT IN THE PROFESSIONAL the ongoing leadership and support of the DEVELOPMENT OF OUR WORKFORCE HAS Honourable Philip Cummins AM in steering this BEEN SIGNIFICANT AND HAS ALLOWED US project over the course of two years with a merry TO STRETCH TO PROVIDE THE GREATEST band of stakeholders from the Family Court and LEVEL OF QUALITY INFORMATION, community legal services (Victoria Legal Aid and SUPPORT AND REFERRAL THAT WE CAN Women’s Legal Service Victoria). AS NETWORKERS IN THE COURTS. Though I highlight these particular projects, it is with full appreciation of the talent of our extensive We have developed and delivered refresher Networker workforce and of the amazing work training to the majority of our volunteers in the that goes on every day as a matter of course core and unique practice of outreach in the courts. in Victoria across the twenty-eight courts and This is the process of reaching out to people in multiple jurisdictions in which they work. the court precinct, introducing our service and inviting the community who are in court for the Our volunteers are supported in their work, very day to use our knowledge and skills to improve capably, by an equally talented and committed band their experience of their day in court and, in many of Program Managers, many of whom work part instances, be linked in to information and services time and always go above and beyond their role to that may contribute to their wellbeing in the future. contribute to Court Network’s vision and strategy. With content experts from the family violence I also want to acknowledge the amazing services area we have developed a “fit for purpose” contribution of our training and continuing education training program to support our practice in family program to our achievements over the past year, to violence with the intent to enable our front line our Training Manager, and the contribution of the workers at court to work effectively as part of the Program Managers to its delivery.

8 INFORMATION SUPPORT REFERRAL PRACTICE QUALITY

43,480 33,651 1,235 PEOPLE PEOPLE DUTY PHONE CALLS ASSISTED AT METRO & ASSISTED AT AND ONLINE ENQUIRIES SUBURBAN STATE COURTS STATE COURTS IN RECEIVED IN VICTORIA REGIONAL VICTORIA IN VICTORIA

Lastly, I want to acknowledge the contribution violence, those without legal representation, of the administration and corporate staff at and victims of crime. “Head Office” to what in all respects has been I encourage you to read about our work and a tremendous year of achievement in the our achievements! Victorian program.

I congratulate the team in Victoria on our collective achievements. I look forward to consolidating our achievements in the coming year, continuing to enhance our practice and extend our reach to better support access to justice for community members, particularly BERNADETTE BURCHELL in our strategic priority areas, those people Victorian State Manager attending courts who are affected by family

COURT NETWORK ANNUAL REPORT 2015–16 9 QUEENSLAND STATE MANAGER’S REPORT

“I JUST WANTED TO THANK THE the results from an independent evaluation that our priorities are informed by the Queensland VOLUNTEER WHO HELPED ME conducted this year. We are very pleased Courts’ Services Business Plan and Initiatives. AFTER THE COURT CASE, SHE WAS that funding has been extended for a further We are also a member of the Queensland Court twelve months pending a decision about future Stakeholder group which meets regularly to FANTASTIC. I WAS OVERWHELMED resources for victim support services across exchange information about initiatives in the BY THE WHOLE THING. IT WAS QLD. In the meantime, we were fortunate to Business Plan and to strengthen partnerships. TERRIFYING TO ME, AND THIS receive a Capacity Building Grant for 2016-17 We participate in a range of stakeholder forums ACT OF KINDNESS MADE IT NOT which will enable us to pilot innovative support and partnerships throughout Queensland which SO FRIGHTENING. SO THANK YOU services in some regional areas. enable us to ensure our services are relevant to the changing needs of court users and responsive SO MUCH.” Renewing and strengthening our Networker to changes in court operations. - COURT USER, QLD workforce has also been an important focus for this year. Our Networkers are the face of Court In 2015-16 we placed particular emphasis on Queensland Networkers provided assistance to Network and provide an amazing service but, strengthening our work in relation to family and over 46,000 people in Brisbane, Townsville and inevitably, even the most committed volunteer domestic violence, working in partnership with Cairns in 2015-16, offering support, information, workforce experiences attrition. This year we the stakeholders involved in the conduct of the referral and advocacy services to people who are conducted our first volunteer intake for the Domestic Violence courts. Along with all the often confused, frightened and overwhelmed by Brisbane team since 2013 and welcomed stakeholders, we are committed to supporting their experience in court. forty-three new Networkers to the Brisbane and implementation of the recommendations of the VSU teams. Townsville conducted an intake, Special Taskforce Report on Family Violence, I am pleased to report on a wide and growing graduating five new Networkers for Townsville Not Now, Not Ever, Putting an End to Domestic range of court services being delivered in and one for Cairns. Following the four-week and Family Violence in Queensland led by the Queensland. In the Brisbane CBD courts, we intensive training program, the new trainees Honourable Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO, who were delighted to start working in the Roma commenced a twelve week mentoring phase is also a former Patron of Court Network. Street Arrest Court, and we also strengthened before they graduated. Our sincere thanks go to our presence in a range of courts including for We have also continued our focus on working our experienced Networkers who supported the domestic violence court users in the Magistrates’ with the courts to support unrepresented trainees using a new mentoring program, that Court. In Cairns, the team opened a well- clients and highlight our partnership with the includes providing structured feedback, advice positioned information desk and strengthened Self-Represented Litigants’ Registrar in the and coaching support. its work with adult victims of crime. After a Supreme and District Court to provide an Networker assisted a person giving evidence Our Continuing Education Program is integrated service to people attending court. For in the remote witness room, the Victim Assist increasingly focused on foundational practice example, the registry called us to help a woman Coordinator wrote, ‘her support … was top skills that are articulated in our refreshed from regional Queensland who was seeking notch. It was evident that they felt comfortable Networker Position Description. We also assistance from the court to prevent cremation with each other.’ In Townsville the team focused upskilled our approach to mentoring and of a relative. Court Network was able to support much of its effort on the Magistrates’ Court, deepened our knowledge around supporting her and she was successfully able to put her including the Arrest Court and Traffic Courts. domestic and family violence-related matters. case to the judge in circumstances that were Court Network also warmly welcomed the The VSU delivered its training program with very challenging for her. commencement of the new Murri Court, which is purpose-built Standards of Practice integrated The Stakeholder Survey conducted this year told regularly attended by one of our Networkers. throughout the curriculum. us that Court Network is viewed as providing a The Victim Support Unit (VSU) had a very We continue to work well with our partners and vital service in Queensland. The respondents productive year. There is a special feature in this stakeholders and look for strategic alignment in particularly valued the emotional and practical Report on its various achievements including the work we do together. To this end, we note support of our in-court support service, and the information we provide about court procedures.

10 INFORMATION SUPPORT REFERRAL WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP

84% 8,952 IN BRISBANE 46,330 PEOPLE ASSISTED PEOPLE ASSISTED AT THE SUPREME IN QLD COURTS 16% & DISTRICT COURT IN CAIRNS & INFORMATION KIOSK TOWNSVILLE IN BRISBANE

“COURT NETWORK VOLUNTEERS MAKE A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE FOR PEOPLE ATTENDING COURT WHO ARE FEELING LOST, AFRAID OR VULNERABLE. THEIR COLLECTIVE LIFE SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE, TOGETHER WITH THE GREAT TRAINING THEY RECEIVE MEANS THAT COURT USERS HAVE SOMEONE THERE TO OFFER SUPPORT AND CONNECT THEM TO THE SERVICES THEY NEED” – STAKEHOLDER

THE SUCCESS OF OUR WORK IS LINKED I thank all the Queensland staff team for their provide the court support services to Queensland TO THE STRENGTH AND EFFECTIVENESS dedicated work. This year three new staff, court users. They make a magnificent OF OUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR including myself, commenced employment in the contribution to the Queensland community and PARTNERS AND WE WILL CONTINUE first quarter of the financial year. On behalf of are a wonderful group of people. the new staff contingent, I thank the established TO PLACE VERY HIGH PRIORITY ON Court Network staff and Networkers, court MAINTAINING AND STRENGTHENING staff and other stakeholders who assisted us to OUR CONNECTIONS WITH THEM. settle into our new roles. Lisa Davies and Sarah Parker departed Court Network following many There are many people to thank for their years of committed and enthusiastic work for contributions and commitment to Court Network Court Network. We warmly thank Sarah and ANNETTE HOGAN this year. We are very appreciative of the support Lisa for their dedicated work and wish them well that Queensland Courts provide to us, without Queensland State Manager for the future. which we could not provide our services. Many stakeholders made invaluable contributions to Most importantly, I extend my heartfelt thanks our training program. and appreciation to all of our Networkers who

COURT NETWORK ANNUAL REPORT 2015–16 11 OUR REACH 116,230 PEOPLE ASSISTED IN VICTORIA

1,618 37,481 PEOPLE ASSISTED AT FAMILY COURTS PEOPLE ASSISTED AT THE SUPREME COURT IN VICTORIA & MELBOURNE MAGISTRATES’ COURT INFORMATION DESKS + 77,131 PEOPLE RECEIVED ONE-TO-ONE SUPPORT IN STATE COURTS ACROSS VICTORIA

44% 46% 54% FOR CRIMINAL MATTERS

36% 23,298 FOR FAMILY VIOLENCE FAMILY/FRIENDS SUPPORTED

12 INFORMATION SUPPORT REFERRAL 46,330 PEOPLE ASSISTED IN QUEENSLAND

21,229 10,185 PEOPLE SUPPORTED IN PEOPLE PROVIDED WITH MAGISTRATES COURTS INFORMATION VIA INFO KIOSKS AND INFO LINE

72 7,920 PEOPLE SUPPORTED 10,353 THROUGH THE PEOPLE SUPPORTED INDIGENOUS UNREPRESENTED IN CRIMINAL MATTERS SENTENCING LITIGANTS LIST

5,271 543 FAMILY/FRIENDS SUPPORTED VICTIMS SUPPORTED

THANK YOU! 461 VOLUNTEERS IN VICTORIA AND QUEENSLAND CONTRIBUTED OVER 94,400 HOURS OF TIME TO SUPPORT 162,560 COURT USERS

NB. this calculation is an approximation using the following parameters: 33 courts are open for 48 weeks of the year, 5 days a week, with 2 networkers in each court every day, working an average of 6 hours each day

COURT NETWORK ANNUAL REPORT 2015–16 13 LISTENING TO OUR PARTNERS

IN MAY THIS YEAR, COURT NETWORK CONDUCTED A STAKEHOLDER SURVEY WITH KEY PARTNERS FROM ACROSS STAKEHOLDER SURVEY RESULTS COURTS AND RELEVANT COMMUNITY- BASED ORGANISATIONS IN BOTH VICTORIA AND QUEENSLAND. We sought feedback on the quality, value and impact of our services, and on how well our stakeholders feel we contribute to improving access to justice for WITHOUT NETWORKERS THERE WOULD BE court users. A SIGNIFICANT GAP IN NON-LEGAL SUPPORT Just over 150 stakeholders participated in the survey FOR COURT USERS across the various CBD, metropolitan and regional courts in which we operate. We were encouraged 60% STRONGLY AGREED 27% AGREED by the findings. Our partners place high value on the services that Court Network provides, and on the benefits that flow to the court user community. Services they considered most significant included providing people with practical support (92%); COURT NETWORK IMPROVES assisting people to feel safer at court (77%); and, THE COURT USER’S EXPERIENCE somewhat unique to Court Network, being able to sit with people in court for the duration of the 43% STRONGLY AGREED 39% AGREED proceedings (82%). The survey also helped us identify where we want to continue to improve including the consistency of practice and service delivery and in ensuring Networkers feel well supported with their continued training and development needs throughout the duration of their volunteering time with us. COURT USERS BETTER UNDERSTAND THE COURT PROCESS We also want to increase stakeholders’ understanding of how to refer clients and service- 31% STRONGLY AGREED 40% AGREED users to us prior to the court date on which they are to appear. Connecting court users to Court Network early so that they are more familiar with the physical lay-out of the court, or made aware of alternative waiting areas if safety is an issue, or to know a little more about the process in advance of coming to court, can help minimise the levels of distress, COURT USERS FEEL SAFER anxiety or fear that many court users feel at the prospect of entering a court building. 32% STRONGLY AGREED 33% AGREED We extend our sincere thanks to those stakeholders who participated in the survey and to our partners more generally for the support they provide to our Networker teams and to our organisation. OVERALL PERFORMANCE RATING 8 /10

14 INFORMATION SUPPORT REFERRAL SUPPORT FOR VICTIMS

“I FOUND THE COURT ITSELF AND HAVING Victims are often able to have contact with the Court Network sees considerable scope for the TO BE NEAR THE PERPETRATOR QUITE same VSU Networker throughout the different VSU to consolidate and expand. In particular, we CONFRONTING. HAVING THE VOLUNTEER stages of the process – before going to court, will explore how to more effectively reach out to SITTING WITH ME OUTSIDE OF THE COURT, and through committal hearings and trials, and victims in regional and more remote locations, after the case has been completed. In between where there are often fewer services available AND IN COURT, ALLEVIATED SOME OF THE times, the VSU offers a voice of support, and other difficulties that can arise for victims who TENSION AND ANXIETY I FELT.” encouragement and information at the end of experience crime in small close-knit communities. – COURT USER the phone. Victims Assist Queensland has provided us with Victims are informed about what to expect, additional funding to test the use of technology Since 2013, Court Network has provided assisted with preparing documents such as Victim as a mechanism for providing pre and post court targeted support to more than 500 adult Impact Statements and applications for financial support to victims on the Sunshine Coast and victims of crime, witnesses to crime, and assistance, provided with emotional support and in Gympie, in partnership with an appropriate family members and others who may be informed about the types of agencies that are local service arrangement. The VSU will explore supporting victims who are attending the available to provide other types of assistance. the use of video link for providing ‘face-to-face’ Magistrates, District and Supreme Courts Victims are also supported in practical ways such pre-court support, as well as assisting victims in Brisbane or Ipswich. as orienting them to the court itself and helping to complete victim impact statements and The court system, with its formality and them to locate a quiet place where they can sit, financial assistance forms. We will also work adversarial approach, can be especially daunting or talk with family and friends, while waiting to with our partner agencies to build capacity in for people who are dealing with the trauma of give their evidence. local community services, and support family being a victim of crime. The process that victims members and others to feel more confident to provide support to victims on their days in court. go through is often harrowing and drawn out, “VICTIMS CAN HAVE TWELVE MONTHS OR and can sometimes trigger the kind of trauma MORE WORRY BEFOREHAND. IF THERE IS The operations in Brisbane and Ipswich will that is associated with the crime itself. It typically also continue to build alongside, and involves telling and retelling stressful events SOMEONE TO RING FOR ANY QUESTIONS complement the support provided by specialist to a wide range of people, including police, THEY MIGHT HAVE, IT HELPS TO CREATE services such as domestic violence services prosecutors, court officials and other services, as A PERSON WHO HAS MORE CONFIDENCE. and sexual assault services. well as facing the prospect of cross-examination I SEE A LOT OF CHANGE ON THE PHONE. with defence lawyers focused on challenging the SOMETIMES THE VICTIM WILL ASK: victim’s evidence. ‘YOU WILL BE THERE WON’T YOU?’...” “WE ARE EXTREMELY GRATEFUL FOR THE INDEPENDENT SUPPORT PROVIDED With funding provided by Victim Assist – NETWORKER BY THE VSU. THE QUALITY OF THE Queensland, Court Network established the Victim Support Unit (VSU) in Brisbane With the program having been in operation for VICTIM’S TESTIMONY WOULD HAVE and Ipswich to help minimise this process three years, a formal ‘impact’ evaluation was BEEN COMPROMISED WITHOUT THE of secondary victimisation by working with carried out by an independent consultant. The VOLUNTEER’S ASSISTANCE. SHE HELPED victims and their families throughout the entire findings showed that: THE VICTIM TO REGAIN HIS EMOTIONAL court process. It is led by a paid professional • Victims found comfort and reassurance COMPOSURE AND HE WAS ABLE TO Program Manager with a strong background in through being provided with consistent and CONTINUE TO GIVE HIS EVIDENCE.” victim services, and staffed by teams of VSU reliable support throughout the process, which – POLICE INVESTIGATING OFFICER Networkers who are provided with specialist reduced anxiety and confusion and helped training in the court-support needs of victims, them to feel safe and heard and the issues that arise for them as they interact with different parts of the system. A • Stakeholders regularly referred to the VSU Project Co-ordinator also provides oversight and and had a high regard for its work support for the Ipswich operations. • Effective, quality services were being provided by trained and skilled volunteers, led by an expert Program Manager and based on a “THE VSU PROVIDED EDUCATION ABOUT framework of quality practice standards THE TERMINOLOGY SO THAT I COULD UNDERSTAND WHAT WAS HAPPENING [AT COURT], THEREFORE ENABLING ME TO COPE A LOT BETTER WITH A DIFFICULT SITUATION.” – COURT USER

COURT NETWORK ANNUAL REPORT 2015–16 15 FAMILY VIOLENCE COURT SUPPORT

WE NOW KNOW THAT FAMILY outreach service model. This includes VIOLENCE IS ONE OF THE MOST providing women with additional needs SERIOUS SOCIAL ISSUES FACING assessment, risk assessment (to identify risk) and safety planning – or an integrated ‘court OUR COMMUNITIES. 96 WOMEN support plan’. SUPPORTED (FROM JAN TO JUNE 2016) It is the focus of more than 50% of all police FROM OVER work, is the leading contributor to poor health STRENGTHENING COURT NETWORK’S in women aged 15-44 years, and is the FAMILY VIOLENCE RESPONSE primary cause of homelessness for women The daily court lists at Sunshine Magistrates’ 15 and children. One in four children are believed Court that deal with intervention orders DIFFERENT CULTURAL BACKGROUNDS to be exposed to family violence and, because routinely consists of 50 or more matters. of this, are at a greater risk of continuing to Although there are a number of services experience family violence as adults, either as located at court that provide support, demand perpetrators or as victims. simply outstrips their capacity to respond. By increasing Court Network’s capacity, and It has also become core business for the strengthening the capability of Networkers at courts with just under 100,000 intervention the court, the project was designed to reduce order ‘listings’ being scheduled, with the likelihood of women falling through the applications for intervention orders having gaps in the service system. themselves doubled in recent years. Likewise, for Court Network, assisting people who Design of the project’s innovative service 67 attend court for family violence related matters model and development of a comprehensive OF THESE WOMEN WERE IDENTIFIED BY NETWORKERS DURING ‘OUTREACH’ represents more than half the services purpose-built training package commenced in we provide in Magistrates’ Courts across September 2015. Recruitment of Networkers Victoria. We expect this trend to be matched and training followed in early 2016, with in Queensland over the coming year as a enhanced court support services operational result of unprecedented activity following the at Sunshine Magistrates’ Court by late recommendations of the Special Taskforce January 2016. Report on Family Violence, Not Now, Not Ever, Putting an End to Domestic and Family The project is resourced by a Court Network SUPPORT RANGED FROM 20 MINUTES Violence in Queensland led by the Honourable Program Manager with a background in family TO OVER 4 HOURS Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO. violence practice and service provision, who is on-hand at the Sunshine Magistrates’ Court Against this backdrop, Court Network has on family violence listing days to provide developed a specialised family violence court supervision and practice support to the support response, through a project currently project team. being trialled at the Sunshine Magistrates’ Court, funded by the Victorian Department The project’s development and implementation of Health and Human Services. has been overseen by a Reference Group comprising representatives from the family The Sunshine Family Violence Pilot Project is violence service system at Sunshine a two-year initiative that provides specialised Magistrates’ Court, and chaired by Regional 58 short-term court support services to women Co-ordinating Magistrate Noreen Toohey. OF THESE WOMEN WERE ‘WARMLY REFERRED’ presenting at Sunshine Magistrates’ Court TO SPECIALIST FAMILY VIOLENCE SERVICES for family violence related matters. The COURT NETWORK SUPPORT AS project involves specially trained Networkers PART OF THE INTEGRATED FAMILY providing women with in-court support, VIOLENCE SYSTEM information and referral related to a broad The project has shown the important role range of matters including: Networkers can perform in increasing the 62 WOMEN • Family violence intervention orders, whether safety of women and children at court WERE NOT ALREADY LINKED INTO A FAMILY women are applicants or respondents through identifying and recognising risk and VIOLENCE SERVICE AND HAD NOT BEEN • Criminal matters, where family violence referring them to specialist family violence IDENTIFIED AS BEING AT RISK is prominent in a woman’s history or has services. This is especially important for been a contributory factor to the offending women who have not previously been linked behaviour, or breach of family violence into family violence services. It has also intervention order hearings (criminal) simplified women’s access to and improved their understanding of the justice system Unique to the project is the capacity of so they can make informed decisions about Networkers to offer additional types of support their future and their safety. An independent that build on Court Network’s standard evaluation is being conducted and will be finalised by December 2016. FOR 40 WOMEN, THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THEY HAD TAKEN ACTION AGAINST THE OFFENDER AND FOR MANY, THE FIRST TIME THEY HAD DISCLOSED THE EXTENT OF THE VIOLENCE

16 INFORMATION SUPPORT REFERRAL HELPING TO BRIDGE THE GAP

FEEDBACK FROM A COURT USER “ON THE 24 FEBRUARY THIS YEAR I ATTENDED SUNSHINE COURT FOR A CONTESTED INTERVENTION ORDER HEARING. I HAD NO PERSONAL SUPPORT AND MY EX, THE DEFENDANT ON THE IVO, WAS PRESENT AND MAKING ME FEEL SCARED AND INTIMIDATED. CASE STUDY A COURT NETWORKER APPROACHED ME IN THE MORNING AND OFFERED FOR ME TO SIT “I approached Jane* in the waiting area during my outreach WITH HER IN THE COURT NETWORK OFFICE, rounds in the morning. When I sat down, I realised that Jane AN OFFER WHICH I GLADLY ACCEPTED. THE was shaking and did not really want to talk. I let Jane know that NETWORKER WAS EXTREMELY KIND AND I would be there throughout the day and that I would come SENSITIVE. SHE MADE ME FEEL SAFE. and see her a bit later in the morning. When I went back, Jane I WAS INTRODUCED TO OTHER WORKERS told me that she had come to court yesterday to apply for PRESENT, AND ALL WERE LOVELY WOMEN. an Intervention Order but had been told to come back today THE NETWORKER STAYED WITH ME ALL because it had been so busy. She told me that she was really DAY. SHE LISTENED TO MY STORY AND worried about whether she was doing the ‘right thing’. OFFERED ME REASSURANCE. WITHOUT HER SUPPORT, I DOUBT THAT I WOULD I asked her some questions, to try and find out a bit more HAVE REMAINED SO CALM AND STUCK about her situation so that I would know how to best support TO MY GUNS. her, but Jane was too upset to answer. I offered to sit with her I WANT TO THANK COURT NETWORK while she waited and to go into court with her, an offer which FOR PROVIDING THIS SERVICE AND IN Jane gladly accepted. Jane’s matter was heard and I sat in PARTICULAR THANK THE NETWORKER FOR court while she gave evidence about the terrible abuse she had HER SUPPORT AND CARE.” experienced from her ex-partner. He had physically assaulted her on numerous occasions, hit her over the head and held her * names and identifying details have been against the wall and tried to strangle her. She was no longer changed to protect the privacy of individuals living with him, but felt like she needed to be protected from him as she was very scared that he would come back and hurt her. I left the courtroom with Jane and expressed my concerns “THE SUPPORT AND SAFE SPACE PROVIDED for her safety and gave her information on services at court BY COURT NETWORK TO WOMEN WHO that could support her. Jane told me that she would like to HAVE EXPERIENCED FAMILY VIOLENCE IS speak with someone and I arranged for her to speak with the EXTREMELY VALUABLE. THE VOLUNTEERS Applicant Support Worker before she left court. The Applicant MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE EVERY DAY” Support Worker helped Jane develop a safety plan and referred – STAKEHOLDER her to the local family violence service for ongoing support.

I don’t think that Jane would have accessed family violence services at the court if I had not outreached to her and offered her support. I feel that it was only because I was able to spend a considerable amount of time supporting her through the court process that she felt like she was able to speak with me about what had happened to her at the end of her very long day at court.”

COURT NETWORK ANNUAL REPORT 2015–16 17 CHANGING SYSTEMS

THE ROYAL COMMISSION INTO FAMILY VIOLENCE The Victorian Government’s Royal Commission • Increasing the numbers of days dedicated to into Family Violence has both recognised and listing family violence matters reinforced how important the issue of family • Supporting the expansion of resources for violence is for all of us. The eight volume legal services, including Victoria Legal Aid report with 227 recommendations has received to ensure more duty lawyers are available to widespread praise from the not-for-profit sector assist in family violence matters and the community generally for the breadth and scope of their review. It is undoubtedly a The Victorian Government has also responded watershed for positioning family violence as to the Commission’s call for urgent funding one of the most important social policy issues to ensure safer waiting areas and rooms for of our time. services; proper security staffing and equipment; more remote witness facilities to allow witnesses The recommendations reach across service to give evidence off-site; and to provide pathways and specialist service responses, adequate facilities for children. policing, the health system’s response, diversity, and importantly, prevention. Of particular Of significance to any community service are significance is its recommendations around the those recommendations that call for industry- establishment of seventeen support and safety wide training in risk identification and assessment hubs across Victoria that will triage the needs of to support minimum standards and core women and children affected by family violence competencies in guiding practice in the context of and also connect men who are perpetrators to family violence service responses. The Sunshine appropriate interventions. Family Violence Project and purpose-built training program is helping us prepare for these There are specific recommendations that will future requirements. We were encouraged to impact on courts-based responses to family see the Sunshine Family Violence Pilot Project violence, that include: referenced in volume 1 of the Royal Commission’s • Expanding the Family Violence Divisions to reports (p.152) as an important approach for all headquarter courts (this will particularly women applicants who are attempting to obtain impact on regional courts such as Mildura, intervention orders without police involvement Shepparton, Geelong, and Bendigo) before their attendance at court. • Establishing an e-registry as a central The Victorian Government has pledged to on-line file-management portal for registry implement all the recommendations made by related enquiries the Royal Commission. • Ensuring daily co-ordination meetings are held across all Magistrates Courts before hearings begin, and give priority to high risk cases

THANK YOU WE ARE GRATEFUL TO WOMEN’S LEGAL SERVICES VICTORIA, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESOURCE CENTRE VICTORIA (DVRCV), NO TO VIOLENCE AND VICTORIA LEGAL AID FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS, INSIGHTS AND GOODWILL IN SUPPORTING THE CUSTOMISED DESIGN OF OUR THREE-AND-A-HALF-DAY FAMILY VIOLENCE TRAINING PACKAGE.

18 INFORMATION SUPPORT REFERRAL STANDING BESIDE UNREPRESENTED PEOPLE

“THE COURT WAS SO BUSY, I FOUND IT EVALUATING THE PROJECT and Dinka speaking communities explains the QUITE OVERWHELMING. BUT IT WAS A An independent consultant undertook the project’s broader Family Law process so that it is relevant VERY SUPPORTIVE AND ENCOURAGING evaluation, with a report completed in April 2016. to a litigant regardless of what stage they are at EXPERIENCE TO RECEIVE SPECIFIC with their legal proceedings. The booklet also Unrepresented litigants supported through the RESPONSES TO THE MANY QUESTIONS I provides some very broad explanations of some project found that it helped them to: HAD ABOUT COURT PROCEDURES AND THE of the key aspects of Family Law in Australia, ISSUES THAT AROSE DURING THE HEARING. • Reduce levels of stress and anxiety especially noting where this may differ from some THE SUPPORT FROM COURT NETWORK • Navigate the court building and process of the systems with which people may already be familiar. The booklet is available through WAS EXTREMELY HELPFUL” • Answer questions Community Legal Centres as well as online and • Link to people and services - UNREPRESENTED LITIGANT we will be shortly working alongside Vietnamese • Be better prepared to present their case in court and Dinka speaking community leaders to look Court staff have found that processes have at other ways to make sure that information gets worked more smoothly with unrepresented litigants to the people who need it and in a way that will being better informed about what to do and where benefit them the most. to go for help. “THE BOOKLET IS ALSO AN EXCELLENT TOOL Appearing in court is stressful for most people, Court Networkers have also felt more confident FOR THE SUPPORT PEOPLE ACCOMPANYING and even more so when the person concerned in reaching out to unrepresented litigants in the THE UNREPRESENTED LITIGANT. I THINK does not have a lawyer to advise and represent Family Law Courts and in assisting them through THEY HAVE A BETTER CAPACITY TO TAKE IN them. Feeling bewildered by the court system their often complex Family Law issues, as well THE INFORMATION BECAUSE IT IS LAID OUT can be especially difficult in Family Law matters, feeling more informed about the relevant services IN CLEAR LANGUAGE AND IN AN EASY TO where additional personal stress, conflict and to refer them to. sense of loss are often deeply entwined with NAVIGATE FORMAT” the legal issues. The project, Responding to the “I THINK YOU HAVE BETTER NETWORKERS - PROJECT NETWORKER Increased Support Needs of Unrepresented OUT OF THIS. THEY HAVE ENHANCED Litigants, was funded through the Legal Services KNOWLEDGE” WHERE TO FROM NOW Board Grants Program and sought to reduce the stress of appearing in the Family Law Courts - STAKEHOLDER Throughout the year, 104 people have been without representation when the parties were in assisted through the project. At this stage, this disagreement about “child contact”. The evaluation noted the need to extend the scope has been limited to the Melbourne Registry of of the service to include support to unrepresented the Family Law and Federal Circuit Courts of The project commenced in September 2014 and Family Law litigants before the Final Hearing stage Australia and we want to continue to build on involved two main components: as well as during the proceedings themselves and this success through: further, to continue expanding the project so that • Specialised training of Networkers so they could • Producing a new English version of the the specialised skills and knowledge imparted to provide a more intensive support service to booklet for unrepresented litigants, covering the project’s Networkers become part of the core unrepresented litigants in the Family Law Courts the entire Family Law process, reflecting competencies of all Networkers. during the particularly complex and stressful the content of the Vietnamese and Dinka time of a Final Hearing While the project has extended beyond the period language versions • The development of a plain English booklet provided for by Legal Services Board Grants • Looking at ways we can extend our support to help explain the court processes to Program, Victoria Legal Aid is assisting us to keep to the growing number of unrepresented unrepresented litigants, and which could also the model operating for a further year while we litigants in the Family Law courts, regardless be used to help guide discussion between them explore longer term arrangements. of where their matter is being heard and the Networkers • Identifying those elements of the model that Both components of the project were up and “IT DOES EMPOWER YOU IF YOU HAVE would be appropriate for supporting people running by September 2014 and, since that KNOWLEDGE AND AN UNDERSTANDING OF who are having to represent themselves in state time, the project has continued to operate very COURT PROCESSES, AND TO UNDERSTAND courts such as the County and Supreme Courts. successfully. During this year, the project has been THE PROCESS AND HURDLES PEOPLE further assisted by two important initiatives: MIGHT COME UP AGAINST” • An independent and full evaluation of the - PROJECT NETWORKER original project • The development of a second booklet for BOOKLET FOR CALD COMMUNITIES unrepresented litigants in Vietnamese and Dinka languages targeted specifically to the needs The booklet prepared for people from CALD of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds was launched in May during communities, both newly arrived and well National Volunteer Week. Unlike the original established in Australia booklet, which focuses on the details of the Final Hearing process, the booklet for Vietnamese

COURT NETWORK ANNUAL REPORT 2015–16 19 LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT

“COURT NETWORK VOLUNTEERS MAKE A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE FOR PEOPLE ATTENDING COURT WHO ARE FEELING LOST, AFRAID OR VULNERABLE. THEIR COLLECTIVE LIFE SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE, TOGETHER WITH THE GREAT TRAINING THEY RECEIVE MEANS THAT COURT USERS HAVE SOMEONE THERE TO OFFER SUPPORT AND CONNECT THEM TO THE SERVICES THEY NEED” – STAKEHOLDER, QLD

Court Network is committed to the ongoing need • Building connections with agencies and 3. ONGOING OPPORTUNITIES FOR for a skilled, professional volunteer workforce the community CONVERSATIONS AND REVIEWS to be operating across the courts. We want to • Being able to lead as well as be a member ABOUT NETWORKERS’ LEARNING equip our Networkers to be able to meet the of a team AND DEVELOPMENT constantly growing challenges of the role in an • Understanding the importance of environment where the needs of court users, like Part of our responsibility in ensuring that we Occupational Health and Safety the profile of the Australian community, is often support both our Networkers and court users in a professional way involves maintaining high changing and where their interface with the court These core competencies for all Networkers service and training standards and being able system is becoming increasingly complex. now shape the main content of what we deliver to continue to respond to the changing needs via our various learning and development events, Our Learning and Development program has of court users and the system. This means throughout a Networker’s involvement with us. further developed throughout the year into one having regular conversations with Networkers that aligns with professional standards of good 2. TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT ACROSS about their strengths and development needs practice, and with how those standards are in relation to all of the key capabilities. For this THE NETWORKER LIFESPAN applied in practice. Its focus is not simply on reason, we have now put in place a system imparting knowledge to Networkers, but more Recognising that learning is always an ongoing of regular Volunteer Reviews where such importantly on enabling skills that are then part of any professional role, Court Network has discussions take place and plans can be made translated into good practice on the ground. This been refining its training program to ensure that to enable each Networker to continue to develop sets the foundation for Networkers to continue to every Networker is able to continue to develop their skills and knowledge to meet the ongoing build their knowledge base and to use it in ways their skills throughout the entire lifespan of challenges presented by their role. that benefits court users. It aids Networkers to be their work with us. This is reflected in a long self-reflective, to understand where court users term vision for our Learning and Development It is our aim that these approaches to Learning are coming from, to listen to their stories in ways program that focuses consistently on the and Development will contribute to building that are helpful but not intrusive, to assess their Networkers’ key competencies through: a team of Networkers who are confident, needs and risks competently, and to use all of professional, and who feel well equipped and • Using recruitment and selection as an this to provide the court user with the information, supported to fulfil their role with court users. This opportunity for prospective Networkers to support, advocacy and referrals they need – in year, sixty-nine Networkers have participated in learn about the key aspects of the role and other words to make good on our Mission. Volunteer Reviews. to demonstrate their openness to develop the Strengthening our learning and development skills they will need Narelle Anson, Training Manager, has been working with Court Network since 2015 and work has been a vital part Court Network’s focus • Providing intake training which comprises is responsible for the design and delivery of this year. We have done this through: of twelve classroom based days learning our Learning and Development program. Her foundational skills and twelve court based work is based in Victoria but she also travels to 1. CONNECTING LEARNING AND days practicing the skills with an experienced Queensland where she assists in planning and DEVELOPMENT TO THE COURT Networker (a mentor) NETWORK ROLE delivery of learning and development sessions • Delivering a Continuing Education program with Networkers. Throughout this year we have been redeveloping that develops and refines those skills for all and refocusing our Learning and Development Networkers over time through practice-based program so that it is more closely aligned with workshops, conferences and mentoring “I HAVE GREAT RESPECT FOR ALL THE the ‘key capabilities’ of the Court Network role. • Facilitating team meetings that provide less COURT NETWORK VOLUNTEERS I HAVE These capabilities capture the essence of what a formal opportunities for Networkers to share COME IN CONTACT WITH – THEY ARE WELL Networker’s role is all about and focus on: their practice experiences and to learn from TRAINED AND INFORMED” • Delivering a service to court users each other – STAKEHOLDER • Working professionally • Developing specialised training for those aspects of the Networker role that are more • Communicating well complex or where court users might need • Being flexible and able to change extra support, such as women and children experiencing family violence, unrepresented litigants in the Family Law Courts, and victims of crime.

20 INFORMATION SUPPORT REFERRAL BRISBANE & METROPOLITAN VIC REGIONAL VIC NORTHERN QLD

Mildura 8 days of training INTAKE Metro 8 trainees TRAINING 2 intake groups Bendigo FOR NEW 32 trainees Brisbane 6 trainees VOLUNTEERS 24 days of 47 trainees classroom based La Trobe Valley training 1 trainee Ballarat 1 trainee

MENTOR Brisbane SKILLS 2 sessions of 4 hours each Mildura, Bendigo, DEVELOPMENT Metro 43 mentors Ballarat 2 sessions of 4 hours each WITH A FOCUS ON 3 sessions of 4 hours each 30 mentors Townsville LEADERSHIP 38 mentors 1 session of 4 hours 6 mentors

Outreach Refresher Training 4 full day sessions Domestic and Family 71 Networkers Violence CONTINUING Referral Refresher Including rollout of EDUCATION 2 half day sessions ‘In Her Shoes’ 18 Networkers Outreach Refresher Training Training Program WITH A FOCUS ON Geelong, Warrnambool, The Introduction to Working Good Practice in Providing FOUNDATIONAL Morwell, Mildura, Ballarat and Cross-Culturally Victim Court Support SKILLS Shepparton: 10 participants from the LSB 6 full days Working Effectively Working with Unrepresented with Diversity Litigants project 64 Networkers Mentoring Skills Family Violence Training x 2 Working in Partnership 31 Networkers with Key Agencies Advocacy Skills & Working with Unrepresented People 100 Networkers

COURT NETWORK ANNUAL REPORT 2015–16 21 EXPANDING OUR FOCUS

AS WITH ALL STATES AND TERRITORIES, QUEENSLAND HAS ITS OWN ARRAY OF COURTS AND OVER THIS LAST YEAR COURT NETWORK HAS BEEN WORKING CREATIVELY AND PROACTIVELY WITH A WIDE RANGE OF THEM.

“WAS THE BEST THING TO SEE A BIG MAN FROM COURT NETWORK IN TOWNSVILLE SIT BESIDE A VERY FRIGHTENED ABORIGINAL YOUNG MAN WHO KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT COURT. SEEING THE BIG STOCKY MAN FROM COURT NETWORK JUST SITTING AND LISTENING TO THE YOUNG ABORIGINAL MAN AND HELPED EASE HIS FEARS BY EXPLAINING WHERE HE NEEDED TO GO TO PAY HIS FINES AND WHAT FORMS HE HAD TO FILL IN” -STAKEHOLDER

MURRI COURT (TOWNSVILLE) INFORMATION DESK (CAIRNS) This court involves Magistrates working collaboratively with Indigenous elders in order to An information desk service was established in Cairns support the court system to respond to Indigenous people in ways that are more culturally this year, in collaboration with the Registries of the Cairns relevant and less likely to lead to incarceration and re-offending. We are a regular courthouse, and has received much support from court staff. participant in the Murri Court. Networkers work with elders to make sure that we provide The desk is well positioned in the foyer of the courthouse our support through, and in partnership with, them. This helps to ensure that Court building, and has been well attended by court users since it Network is able to play a positive, and culturally respectful role in Indigenous people’s commenced operations. access and experience of the courts. Everyone benefits from the relationships we build through this process: Indigenous court users, Indigenous elders, the Magistrates and court staff, and, of course, our Networker teams.

ARREST COURTS (BRISBANE) Our work in the Brisbane Arrest Courts commenced in June this year and is already having a huge impact. Networkers make immediate contact with court users when they arrive and ensure they know where to go and the services available to them. In addition, Networkers follow up with court users after their hearing to make sure they understand the Magistrate’s decision and refer them on to other community services as needed.

MENTAL HEALTH COURT (BRISBANE) Court users of Brisbane’s Mental Health Court are often especially agitated and confused by the court process. Court Networkers have been asked regularly to sit in the court so that support and reassurance is quickly at hand for those court users PARTNERSHIP WITH VICTIM ASSIST QLD (CAIRNS) who need it. Our role in the Mental Health Court is sometimes a particularly proactive The team has worked collaboratively with Victim Assist and facilitative one and includes helping Queensland in Cairns to increase Networkers’ knowledge ensure that duty lawyers get to see the and skills in how to work effectively with and support victims clients most in need of assistance, and that of crime and their families. This has been achieved through communication between the various parties targeted training delivered by VAQ to a select group of Cairns at court is effective. Networkers. VAQ now refers to these Networkers when requiring assistance to support victims and their families QUEENSLAND CIVIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL (QCAT) through longer trial processes. Court Network has since seen an increase in referrals from both VAQ and the Office of the – TOWNSVILLE AND BRISBANE Director of Public Prosecutions. Most people who attend a Tribunal will have never been to any sort of judicial hearing before. They are almost always unrepresented. The matters that are heard at QCAT are “THE SUPPORT PROVIDED BY COURT NETWORK HAS BEEN usually about the sorts of issues that affect the everyday lives of people, such as residential tenancy. This can create great stresses for the people attending the hearing and it makes INVALUABLE TO PEOPLE WHO ARE VICTIMS OF CRIME IN Court Network’s role at QCAT especially vital. At QCAT our approach is one that involves THE TOWNSVILLE AREA. HAVING THIS SERVICE LOCALLY meeting people and explaining to them what they can expect and then, if the outcome is AND SO ACCESSIBLE; HAS MADE IT EXTREMELY EASY FOR an adverse one for them, following up to make sure they are aware of the services they OUR SERVICE TO STRONGLY WORK TOGETHER FOR THE might then need. BENEFIT OF ALL OUR CLIENTS” - STAKEHOLDER, QLD

22 INFORMATION SUPPORT REFERRAL CELEBRATING THE YEAR

THIS YEAR, COURT NETWORK WELCOMED NEW VOLUNTEERS AT GRADUATION CEREMONIES IN VICTORIA AND QUEENSLAND; RECOGNISED THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF OTHERS IN REACHING MILESTONE PERIODS OF VOLUNTEERING; WAS HOSTED BY LOCAL COUNCILS IN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE SOCIAL BENEFITS AND COMMUNITY IMPACT OF NETWORKERS’ CONTRIBUTIONS; HELD AN ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK EVENTS, AND FEATURED IN THE MEDIA.

COURT NETWORK’S ANNUAL CONFERENCE The conference was held at Melbourne’s Etihad Stadium on 25 November 2015 and was attended by 207 Court Network volunteers, members and stakeholders. The focus was on two of the major emerging issues for our organisation: understanding the changing landscape around how the courts respond to family violence, and maximising the opportunities afforded to us and to court users through new technologies. Key presenters were the former Victorian Attorney General, the Honourable Rob Hulls and Elena Campbell from Melbourne’s Centre for Innovative Justice who spoke of the current developments and future challenges in Family Violence law reform. It was a timely presentation for our Networkers, especially those involved in the Family Violence Pilot Project at the Sunshine Magistrates’ Court in Victoria.

LAUNCH OF HITNET A new multi-media digital platform for helping young people connect with information about their day at court. Pictured at left are Helen Travers and Julie Gibson of HITNet

The Mayor of Townsville City Council, Councillor Jenny Hill, paid Mildura Rural City Council hosted a ‘Civic Welcome’ for tribute to the volunteers in July 2016 hosting a special recognition Court Network Founder Carmel Benjamin AM in May and graduation event. See above for Networkers with the Mayor 2016, alongside the graduation of 8 new volunteers. The of Townsville, Councillor Jenny Hill, Councillor Walker, Councillor local media featured Carmel, and the longevity of the Rehbein, QLD State Manager Annette Hogan and our Court service in Mildura. Network President, Garry Roach.

COURT NETWORK ANNUAL REPORT 2015–16 23 NETWORKER RECOGNITION CEREMONY IN NOVEMBER 2015, WITH 35 NETWORKERS FROM ACROSS VICTORIA ACKNOWLEDGED FOR REACHING IMPORTANT VOLUNTEERING MILESTONES.

President Amanda Chambers, Carmel Benjamin AM, Board Member and President of the Children’s Court Victoria, the Honourable Amanda Deputy Chief Magistrate Felicity Broughton and Networkers receiving Chambers with Court Network Founder Carmel Benjamin AM and awards that marked 15 years of volunteering service Networker Sandra Burdett

CELEBRATING FIVE YEARS IN NORTHERN QUEENSLAND IN OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER 2015, WE CELEBRATED THE FIVE-YEAR ANNIVERSARIES OF COURT NETWORK IN THE NORTHERN QUEENSLAND COMMUNITIES OF TOWNSVILLE AND CAIRNS, RECOGNISING THAT ALMOST 40,000 COURT USERS HAVE BEEN ASSISTED BY COURT NETWORK SINCE WE COMMENCED OUR SERVICES.

Top right: The Honourable Justice David North [far left]; Court Network Board President, Garry Roach; Vice- President, Julie Steel and Townsville magistrate, Mr Ross Mack [second from right] Middle right: Networkers at the Townsville Five Year Anniversary, Recognition and Graduation Celebration Bottom right: Cairns Five Year Anniversary, Recognition and Graduation Celebration was attended by Magistrate Robert Spencer [third from left], Court Network Board President, Garry Roach [centre] and Vice President, Julie Steel [centre right]

24 INFORMATION SUPPORT REFERRAL ‘GIVE HAPPY, LIVE HAPPY’ WAS THE THEME OF THIS YEAR’S NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK, WITH A SPOTLIGHT ON THE INFLUENCE THAT VOLUNTEERING HAS ON THE HEALTH AND WELLBEING OF VOLUNTEERS AS WELL AS COMMUNITIES. THIS YEAR WE LAUNCHED OUR BOOKLETS ON THE FAMILY LAW COURTS FOR PEOPLE FROM VIETNAMESE AND DINKA SPEAKING COMMUNITIES.

Board Member and Deputy Chief Magistrate Felicity Broughton hosted the event, with Court Network Patron, the Honourable Diana Bryant AO, Chief Justice of the Family Court of Australia and Ms Helen Kapalos, Chair of the Victorian Multicultural Commission

We celebrated the outstanding achievement of Sohila Zanjani. Sohila committed her life story to print in Scattered Pearls - a story of three generations of Iranian women growing up in pre-revolutionary Iran and then moving to Melbourne. Sohila’s story is also one of three generations of family violence. Her own experience is bravely documented as is her determination to highlight the difficulties for women, Victorian Metropolitan Graduation event in October 2015, post migration, in being connected with where 21 trainees graduated services that could have assisted her much earlier

QUEENSLAND GRADUATION FOR NEW VOLUNTEERS IN THE BRISBANE COURTS AND THE VICTIM SUPPORT UNIT, HELD IN THE BANCO COURT, SUPREME COURT OF QUEENSLAND, JULY 2016

Front Row: The Honourable Philip Cummins AM, Court Network Executive Director, Dr Melanie Heenan and Julie Steel [far right]

COURT NETWORK ANNUAL REPORT 2015–16 25 2015-16 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

GARRY ROACH | PRESIDENT hospitals, community health and residential counselling experience, she has worked as the aged care, Don has a strong record in leading manager of Student Services at GOTAFE, where Appointed AGM 2010, re-elected AGM 2013 improvements in stakeholder engagement, she was responsible for the management of Garry is the Director of a management clinical governance and financial performance. staff, financial expenditure, and preparation of consultancy specialising in the human services Don is currently the Chief Executive Officer for budgets. While Cecilia has only been a Court and government sectors. Garry’s career has Macedon Ranges Health, an award winning Network volunteer for a year, she believes that spanned education, justice and welfare sectors provider of primary care, home care and her education and work experience can be an where he has worked in direct service provision residential aged care to the Macedon Ranges. asset to the Court Network Board. and senior management. He has a long-standing Don also contributes as a board member to other interest in volunteer based services. Garry is a voluntary boards including the Australian Health member of the Australian Institute of Company Services Financial Management Association RUDY MONTELEONE Directors and has previous Board experience. (AHSFMA). Appointed AGM 2012, re-elected AGM 2015 Rudy is currently Project Director, Support and JULIE STEEL | VICE PRESIDENT JENNIFER EVANS | SECRETARY Safety Hubs - Operations in the Department of Premier and Cabinet. Rudy has held various Appointed AGM 2011, re-elected AGM 2014 Appointed AGM 2011, re-elected AGM 2013 management roles in the Supreme, County and Julie is the Executive Director of the Supreme, Jennifer is a Court Networker at Ringwood Magistrates’ Courts; the Victorian Multicultural District & Land Courts’ and Industrial Relations Magistrates’ Court. As a social worker, she Commission, and was appointed as Victoria’s Commission’s Service in Queensland. Julie has experience in the areas of welfare and inaugural Juries Commissioner for Victoria in 2002. brings significant experience with a diverse health. Currently Jennifer works as a volunteer perspective from being a solicitor in private community speaker on elder abuse and as an practice, to a parole officer with probation and occasional relief advocate with Seniors Rights PATRICIA BYRNE parole, to a variety of positions within the courts. Victoria. She is also passionate about the social Appointed AGM 2012, re-elected AGM 2015 She was the Director of Operations in the justice implications of global warming and active Patricia began as a volunteer for Court Network implementation of the Access Courts Program in promoting the need to return to a safe climate. in the Brisbane Family Court in 2008 and has which introduced Court Network in Queensland. been a volunteer for the Victim Support Unit CECILIA EDWARDS since its inception in 2013. Patricia is Justice of the Peace qualified and her interests in the DON TIDBURY | TREASURER Appointed AGM 2015 community include the Brisbane Jazz Club, Red Appointed AGM 2015 Cecilia is a retired mental health social worker Cross Emergency and the East West Centre and clinical family therapist. Before retiring, Alumni Association for International Relations. Don Tidbury is an experienced health care she joined Court Network as a volunteer at the Her principal career was in education at the executive who has worked across the metro Shepparton Magistrates’ Court. After selling their secondary and tertiary levels. and rural public health sectors. As a fully farm and relocating to Ballarat, Cecilia continued qualified CPA with extensive experience in public Networking at Ballarat. Besides from Cecilia’s

26 INFORMATION SUPPORT REFERRAL DEPUTY CHIEF MAGISTRATE specialist training to members of Victoria Police. ENID RICHARDS Anne is a lawyer and an experienced prosecutor FELICITY BROUGHTON Appointed AGM 2014 within the Magistrates’ Court and Children’s Appointed AGM 2013 Court where she has specialised in prosecuting Enid has been a Networker at the Shepparton Felicity was appointed as a Victorian Magistrate sexual offences and family violence matters. Magistrates’ Court for five years. Her in January 2000 and has been a Deputy Chief Anne was a board member of the Therapeutic background is in welfare, working in areas of Magistrate since 2007. She was Supervising Treatment Board from 2010-2015. disability, the homeless and mental illness. Enid Magistrate for the court’s sexual assault portfolio was a member of the Victorian Equal Opportunity from 2006 to 2012 and for the Victims of & Human Rights Commission Disability Crime Assistance Tribunal from 2001 to 2004. GARY GIBSON Reference Group for two years, representing Felicity is currently a Supervising Magistrate for Appointed AGM 2014 rural Victoria. She also volunteers as an the Family Violence and Family Law Portfolio Independent Person with the Youth Referral Gary has spent most of his career in the having been appointed in August 2011. She is and Independent Persons Program (YRIPP) in design, development, marketing and delivery a member of the Victorian Institute of Forensic the Shepparton region. Enid has a strong social of professional development training courses Medicine’s Council and Ethics Committee. She justice ethic that comes from life and work applicable to a wide range of industry sectors. was a board member of CASA House from experiences. She is enthusiastic and passionate He has held senior training management and 1989 to 2000 and of the Children’s Protection about assisting people while supporting them. marketing roles for various IT&C services Society (CPS) from 1993 to 2000 serving as companies. Gary has delivered numerous sales their President from 1996 to 1999. management courses to sales teams in the THE HONOURABLE DAVID HARPER AM US, Canada, Chile and South Africa as well Co-opted April 2015 | Appointed AGM 2015 SENIOR SERGEANT ANNE RUDD as in Australia. Gary is a published author on time management skills and has been a coach/ David Harper was a Judge of the Supreme Appointed AGM 2013 mentor to many senior executives. Gary has Court of Victoria from 1992 - 2013, becoming Anne is a serving member of Victoria Police and driven dialysis patients for Kidney Support a member of the Appeal Division of that Court over the past 15 years she has performed duties Network, is a Court Networker in Brisbane in 2009. He was President of the Victorian within the bayside area, Prosecutions Division alternating between QCAT and the Supreme and Association for the Care and Resettlement of and Family Violence Command. Anne currently District Court, and has been a member of the Offenders (VACRO) between 1995 and 2012, works within the Legal Services Department, and QCAT JP Trial in Queensland since its inception. and is now its patron. He became a Member of is the Manager of the Research & Training Unit. the Order of Australia in 2008 for service to law In this role, she has responsibility for delivery of reform, the judiciary, international humanitarian the Prosecutor Training Course and other law and the community.

Members who resigned or retired 1 JULY 2015 – 30 JUNE 2016 from Court Network Board during the 2015-16 financial year: NAME YEAR JOINED MEETINGS ELIGIBLE IN MEETINGS ATTENDED IN 2015-16 2015-16 Garry Roach 2010 7 5 DAVID SPIEGEL, TREASURER Julie Steel 2011 7 5 Appointed SGM 2009, re-elected AGM 2012, term ended Nov 2015 **Don Tidbury 2015 4 4 Jennifer Evans 2011 7 5 WIN SWANTON **Cecelia Edwards 2015 4 4 Appointed AGM 2009, re-elected AGM Rudy Monteleone 2012 7 5 2012, term ended Nov 2015 *Patricia Byrne 2012 4 4 Felicity Broughton 2013 7 6 Anne Rudd 2013 7 5 Gary Gibson 2014 7 7 Enid Richards 2014 7 7 David Harper 2015 7 5 ***David Spiegel 2009 3 3 ***Win Swanton 2009 3 3

Eligible meetings include 2015 AGM *on leave from February 2016 ** Elected AGM 2015 - AGM 2015 not counted in total *** Retired November 2015 so does include AGM 2015

COURT NETWORK ANNUAL REPORT 2015–16 27 OUR STAFF

BASED IN VICTORIA BASED IN QUEENSLAND

Executive Director Queensland State Manager Dr Melanie Heenan Annette Hogan (commenced August 2015)

Victorian State Manager Brisbane Program Manager Bernadette Burchell Teresa Snow

Victorian Training Manager Cairns Program Manager Narelle Anson Brenda Masutti (commenced October 2015)

Metropolitan Program Managers Townsville Program Manager Paul Drost, Jennie Child, Sarah Parker (til June 2016), Sarah Harris, Anna Taylor (commenced October 2015) Madeline Rudge (commenced June 2016)

Regional Program Managers Brisbane Victim Support Unit Manager Heather Barclay, Deb Brown, Kathryn Rendell (commenced October 2015) Roger Dowsett (til June 2016), Claire Connell (commenced May 2016), Ipswich Victim Support Unit Coordinator Patricia Mullens, Lyn Wilson, David Munro Annie Cowley (til Sept 2015), Marketing & Communications Manager Vernon Knight (commenced Oct 2015) Lisa Davies (til June 2016) Family Violence Training Manager Marika Manioudakis (commenced November 2016)

Finance Manager Ming Zhou

Events & Administration Manager Claire Blau (til April 2016), Ann Barrett (commenced April 2016, casual basis)

Administration Assistant Trish Scriven (til July 2016)

28 INFORMATION SUPPORT REFERRAL TREASURER’S REPORT

This has been my first year as Treasurer and acquittal of funds also necessitated increased it has been a pleasure to work with Court expenditure. Management carefully contained Network’s Board and Management to ensure the costs where possible through a range of effective organisation’s strategic and financial objectives strategies including delayed replacement of are achieved. staff vacancies, reduced consultancy costs and diligent management of general expenses. The 2015-16 year saw Court Network achieve an operating surplus of $51,215. This is a highly Through optimisation of revenue streams and credible result given Court Network is a relatively careful oversight of expenses, Court Network’s small, not for profit organisation, mainly operating cash position also improved significantly during within defined funding agreements which require the year. The maintenance of appropriate expenditure of all funds received. This is now cash reserves is essential to ensuring the the fourth consecutive year Court Network has organisations liquidity and capacity to remain achieved an operating surplus which is a great viable. In an environment where costs are testament to the financial stewardship and exponentially rising across the not-for-profit governance demonstrated by Management and and human services sectors, this will become Court Network’s many stakeholders. increasingly challenging. Revenue grew to $2,029,395, an increase of Following favourable negotiations with funding $254,581 on the previous year. This favourable providers, I am delighted to say Management result was achieved through further funding have prepared a modest surplus budget for the received from Court Services Victoria, the 2016-2017 year which has been duly authorised Victorian Department of Health & Human by the Board. The budget has been carefully Services, Victoria Legal Aid and the Queensland prepared and will ensure Court Network’s Department of Justice. This additional funding mission and strategic objectives are achieved is attributed to the Board’s and Management’s in a cost restrained environment. It will also ongoing efforts to maintain highly productive ensure sufficient resources are made available relationships with funding partners and to support our loyal, dedicated and highly skilled government to ensure core programs are volunteer base. retained and new innovative services are In closing I would like to acknowledge the established to support people traversing the generous support provided to Court Network justice system across the many courts in which by its many stakeholders including Queensland we operate. and Victorian Governments, Court Services Expenditure also increased accordingly to Victoria, Victims Assist Queensland, our devoted $1,978,720 primarily as a result of pay equity volunteers, our talented employees and the mandated increases in employment costs, highly capable executive team. Your commitment along with the contracting of specialist project and generous contribution to Court Network has officers to deliver the programs referenced been integral to its success in 2015-16. Thank above. Rises in training costs, additional IT costs you too to my industrious, fellow Board members to support the upgrade of vital data systems, who always act so conscientiously for the benefit printing of innovative publications and resources of Court Network and its stakeholders. I am and increased investment in essential volunteer optimistic 2016-17 will be another great year for programs also contributed to the rising operating Court Network and look forward to working with expenditure. The cessation of certain funding you on its continued success. agreements and the associated mandatory

DON TIDBURY Treasurer

COURT NETWORK ANNUAL REPORT 2015–16 29 COURT NETWORK INC. INCOME STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE, 2016

NOTE 2016 2015 $ $

INCOME Grants from Government and Statutory Bodies 8 2,010,971 1,752,715 Donations 1,302 1,973 Interest 12,570 16,409 Membership Subscriptions 559 655 Other 4,533 3,602 2,029,935 1,775,354

EXPENDITURE Audit fees 5,110 5,040 Bank Charges and Fees 1,210 909 Board and Governance 20,427 20,748 Consultants 9 84,688 95,979 Court Supplies 5,578 5,244 Database Project 5,037 11,655 Depreciation 6,238 11,477 Fringe Benefits Tax - 1,738 Insurance 4,690 4,774 IT and Equipment Upgrade 41,970 21,866 Lease Expenses 10 3,229 3,442 Loss on Disposal of Assets - (3,516) Motor Vehicle Expenses - 4,475 Office Maintenance & Repairs, Minor Assets 4,775 4,164 Payroll Expense 3,591 3,154 Postage, Printing and Stationery 26,497 27,244 Provisions for Employee Entitlements 20,942 (6,282) Publication & Information Resources 37,760 27,701 Rent 120,350 120,350 Salaries & Wages 1,242,837 1,083,276 Staff Recruitment, Professional Development and Welfare 7,255 7,965 Sundries (including Membership Fees) 3,818 3,952 Superannuation 110,816 97,830 Telephone 18,939 17,201 Travel 65,348 55,106 Volunteer Expenses 120,538 69,333 Workcover 17,077 13,452 1,978,720 1,708,277 Operating Result for the Year 51,215 67,077

The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.

30 INFORMATION SUPPORT REFERRAL COURT NETWORK INC. BALANCE SHEET AS AT 30 JUNE, 2016

NOTE 2016 2015 $ $

CURRENT ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents 2 1,212,273 1,124,694 Receivables and Prepayments 3 4,978 7,297 1,217,251 1,131,991

NON-CURRENT ASSETS Fixed Assets 4 2,834 7,978 2,834 7,978 Total Assets 1,220,085 1,139,969

CURRENT LIABILITIES Creditors and Accruals 189,546 154,089 Income in advance 5 276,089 266,060 Provisions 6 210,716 228,847 Total Liabilities 676,351 648,996 NET ASSETS 543,734 490,973

MEMBERS’ FUNDS Accumulated Surplus 543,734 490,973 Total Members’ Funds 543,734 490,973

The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.

COURT NETWORK INC. STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE, 2016

RETAINED ERANINGS RESERVE TOTAL $ $ $

Balance 1/7/2014 423,896 0 423,896 Profit for the Year 67,077 0 67,077 Transfer to / from 0 0 0 Balance 30/6/2015 490,973 0 490,973 Profit for the Year 51,215 1,546 52,761 Transfer to / from -4,533 4,533 0 Balance 30/6/2016 537,655 6,079 543,734

The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.

COURT NETWORK ANNUAL REPORT 2015–16 31 COURT NETWORK INC. STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE, 2016

NOTE 2016 2015 $ $

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES Receipts Grants from Government and Statutory Bodies 1,900,650 1,633,733 Interest 12,570 16,410 Other 5,711 8,523 Payments Employment Expenses (1,349,788) (1,200,840) Supplies (480,471) (354,981) Net cash provided from operating activities 7 88,672 102,845

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES Payments for purchase of plant and equipment (1,093) (1,056) Net cash used in investing activities (1,093) (1,056) Net increase (decrease) in cash held 87,579 101,789 Cash at the beginning of the financial year 1,124,694 1,022,905 Cash at the end of the financial year 2 1,212,273 1,124,694

The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.

32 INFORMATION SUPPORT REFERRAL COURT NETWORK INC. NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE, 2016

NOTE 1: STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANT (F) CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS flow to the Association and the revenue can be reliably measured. The following specific ACCOUNTING POLICIES Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, recognition criteria must also be met before deposits held at call with banks, other short-term revenue is recognised. (A) CORPORATE INFORMATION highly liquid investments with original maturities of Court Network Inc. is an association incorporated twelve months or less that are readily convertible Interest Income in Victoria under the Associations Incorporation to known amounts of cash and which are subject Interest revenue is recognised on a proportional Reform Act 2012 (Vic). to an insignificant risk of changes in values. basis taking into account the interest rates applicable to the financial assets. (B) BASIS OF PREPARATION (G) IMPAIRMENT OF ASSETS The financial report is a special purpose financial At each reporting date, the Association reviews Membership Income report prepared in accordance with applicable the carrying values of its tangible and intangible Membership income is recognised in the year it Australian Accounting Standards, in order to assets to determine whether there is any is received. satisfy the financial reporting requirements of indication that those assets have been impaired. If Grant Income the Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012 such an indication exists, the recoverable amount (Vic). The committee has determined that the of the asset, being the higher of the asset’s Grants from the Government are recognised association is not a reporting entity. fair value less costs to sell and value in use, is at their fair value where there is a reasonable compared to the asset’s carrying value. assurance that the grant will be received The financial report has been prepared on an and the Association will comply with all the accruals basis and is based on historical costs Any excess of the asset’s carrying value over attached conditions. and does not take into account changing money its recoverable amount is expensed to the profit values, or except where specifically stated, current and loss. Government grants relating to specific projects are valuations of non-current assets. Cost is based deferred and recognised in the income statement on the fair values of the consideration given in (H) TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES over the period necessary to match them with the costs they are intended to compensate. exchange for assets. Trade payables and other payables are carried at amortised cost and represent liabilities for goods When required by Accounting Standards, (L) GOODS AND SERVICES TAX (“GST”) comparative figures have been adjusted to and services provided to the Association prior to Revenues, expenses and assets are recognised conform to changes in presentation for the current the end of the financial year that are unpaid and net of the amount of GST, except where the financial year. arise when the Association becomes obliged to make future payments in respect of the purchase amount of GST incurred is not recoverable from the Australian Taxation Office. In these (C) CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES of these goods and services. circumstances the GST is recognised as part of AND JUDGEMENTS (I) EMPLOYEE BENEFITS the cost of acquisition of the asset or as part of an The preparation of a financial report in conformity item of the expense. Receivables and payables in Wages, Salaries and Annual Leave with Australian Accounting Standards requires the balance sheet are shown inclusive of GST. management to make estimates, judgements Liabilities for wages, salaries and annual and assumptions based on historical knowledge leave that are expected to be settled within Cash flows are presented in the cash flow and best available current information. Estimates 12 months of the reporting date represent statement on a gross basis, except for the GST assume a reasonable expectation of future present obligations resulting from employees’ component of investing and financing activities, events and are based on current trends and services provided to reporting date. They are which are disclosed as operating cash flows. economic data, obtained both externally and calculated at undiscounted amounts based on within the Association. Actual results may differ remuneration wage and salary rates that the (M) LEASES from these estimates. Association expects to pay as at reporting date The determination of whether an arrangement including related on-costs, such as workers is or contains a lease is based on the substance The accounting policies detailed in note 1 provide compensation insurance. of the arrangement and requires an assessment details of these estimates, judgements and of whether the fulfilment of the arrangement Long-term service benefits assumptions. is dependent on the use of a specific asset or The Association’s net obligation in respect of long- assets and the arrangement conveys a right to (D) INCOME TAX term services benefits, other than pension plans, use the asset. Court Network Inc. is not liable for tax as it is is the amount of future benefit that employees recognised as a public benevolent institution by have earned in return for their service in current Finance leases, which transfer to the Association both Federal and State legistation. Donations to and prior periods. The obligation is calculated substantially all the risks and benefits incidental to Court Network Inc. in excess of $2 are eligible for using current rates including related on-costs. ownership of the leased item, are capitalised at a tax deduction. the inception of the lease at the fair value of the Superannuation leased property or, if lower, at the present value (E) FIXED ASSETS The amount charged to the Income Statement of the minimum lease payments. Lease payments in respect of superannuation represents the are apportioned between the finance charges and Fixed assets are carried at cost or fair value as contributions made by the Association to reduction of the lease liability so as to achieve a indicated, less, where applicable, any accumulated superannuation funds. constant rate of interest on the remaining balance depreciation or impairment losses. of the liability. Finance charges are recognised as The depreciable amount of all fixed assets is (J) PROVISIONS an expense in the profit or loss. depreciated on a straight line basis over the useful Provisions are recognised when the Association Capitalised lease assets are depreciated over lives of the assets commencing from the time the has a legal or constructive obligation, as a result the shorter of the estimated useful life of the asset is held ready for use. of past events, for which it is probable that an asset and the lease term if there is no reasonable outflow of economic benefits will result and that The depreciation rates used for fixed assets are certainty that the Association will obtain ownership outflow can be reliably measured. 10% - 40%. The assets’ residual value and useful by the end of the lease term. lives are reviewed, and adjusted if appropriate, at (K) REVENUE Operating lease payments are recognised as an each balance sheet date. expense in the Income statement on a straght-line Revenue is recognised to the extent that it basis over the lease term. is probable that the economic benefits will

COURT NETWORK ANNUAL REPORT 2015–16 33 COURT NETWORK INC. NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE, 2016

2016 2015 NOTE 2: CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS $ $

Cash on Hand 726 921 Cash at Bank 739,146 661,652 Cash on Deposit 472,401 462,121 1,212,273 1,124,694

NOTE 3: RECEIVABLES AND PREPAYMENTS

Funding from Government and Foundations - - Sundry Debtors 4,978 7,297 4,978 7,297

NOTE 4: FIXED ASSETS

Office Equipment 58,258 78,555 Less: Accumulated Depreciation (55,424) (70,577) 2,834 7,978

NOTE 5: INCOME IN ADVANCE

Commonwealth Attorney General’s Department 21,028 21,028 Victoria Department of Health and Human Services 87,339 55,110 Court Services Victoria (Department of Justice) 14,825 14,825 Queensland Department of Justice 21,140 87,571 Victoria Legal Service Board 131,757 87,526 276,089 266,060

NOTE 6: PROVISIONS

(a) Employee Entitlements Annual Leave and Other Entitlements 108,553 87,541 Long Service Leave 38,771 38,840 147,324 126,381

(b) Other Children’s Court Project 11,805 20,359 Office Maintenance 5,165 5,165 Staff Professional Development 16,377 26,842 Victim Support Unit Brisbane Set-up 197 11,302 Victim Support Unit Brisbane Volunteer Support 1,000 1,000 Volunteer Database Upgrade Stage II - 7,798 Volunteer Policy Handbook production 8,848 10,000 Volunteer Training 20,000 20,000 63,392 102,466 210,716 228,847

34 INFORMATION SUPPORT REFERRAL COURT NETWORK INC. NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE, 2016

2016 2015 NOTE 7: CASHFLOW INFORMATION $ $

Reconciliation of net cash used in operating activities to operating results Operating Result 51,215 67,077 Depreciation 6,238 11,477 Loss on Disposal of Assets - 484 Decrease in receivables and prepayments 2,319 2,295 Increase in creditors and accruals 35,457 25,468 Increase/(Decrease) in provision for entitlements 20,942 (6,282) Increase/(Decrease) in Provision for Projects (37,528) 959 Increase in unearned income 10,029 1,367 88,672 102,845

NOTE 8: GRANTS FROM GOVERNMENT AND STATUTORY BODIES Commonwealth Attorney General - 88,390 Court Services Victoria 850,475 794,145 Victoria Department of Health and Human Services 312,397 190,216 Victoria Legal Aid 83,720 - Victoria Legal Service Board 87,527 73,862 Queensland Department of Justice 676,852 606,102 2,010,971 1,752,715

NOTE 9: CONSULTANTS Consultants - DHHS Accreditation 4,333 11,304 Consultants - IT Audit 10,793 3,680 Consultants - Victim Support Unit Programs 11,937 25,405 Consultants - Strategic Review 1,500 5,000 Consultants - Unrepresented Litigants Project 56,125 50,590 84,688 95,979

NOTE 10: LEASE COMMITMENTS Operating Lease commitments in relation to the rental of photocopying equipment. Payable - Minimum Lease Payments: - not later than 12 months 3,552 3,387 - between 12 months and 5 years 1,507 1,240 5,059 4,627

COURT NETWORK ANNUAL REPORT 2015–16 35 COURT NETWORK INC. STATEMENT BY THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

The committee has determined that the association is not a reporting entity and that this special purpose financial report should be prepared in accordance with the accounting policies outlined in Note 1 to the financial statements. In the opinion of the committee the financial report: 1. Presents a true and fair view of the financial position of Court Network Inc. as at 30 June 2016 and its performance for the year ended on that date 2. At the date of this statement, there are reasonable grounds to believe that Court Network Inc. will be able to pay its debts as and when they fall due This statement is made in accordance with a resolution of the committee and is signed for and on behalf of the committee by:

GARRY ROACH DON TIDBURY President Treasurer

Dated: 26 September 2016

36 INFORMATION SUPPORT REFERRAL AUDITOR’S REPORT

COURT NETWORK ANNUAL REPORT 2015–16 37 AUDITOR’S REPORT

38 INFORMATION SUPPORT REFERRAL STATISTICS

NUMBER OF PEOPLE ASSISTED AT COURT* 2014-15 2015-16

VICTORIA

METROPOLITAN

Magistrates’ Courts 25,237 25,090

County Court 4201 3186

Supreme Court 2059 1497

Coroners Court 1019 604

Children’s Court 3209 3408

Collingwood Neighbourhood Justice Centre 640 655

VCAT 4508 5556

Moorabbin Justice Centre 2262 3484

REGIONAL

Magistrates’ Courts (including VCAT and Children’s Courts) 36,194 33,651 Higher Courts (including County, Supreme and Coroners Courts) 354

OTHER

Family and Federal Magistrates’ Courts 1953 1,618

Supreme Court Information Team 12,902 9,412

Melbourne Magistrates’ Court Information Desk 21,649 28,069

VICTORIAN TOTAL 116,187 116,230

QUEENSLAND

METROPOLITAN

Supreme & District Court 3683 4158

Supreme Court Information Kiosk 8801 8952

Brisbane Magistrates’ Court 15,063 15669

Brisbane QCAT 8805 9922

REGIONAL

Townsville Supreme & District Courts 604 503

Townsville Magistrates’ Court 3439 2586

Townsville Information Kiosk n/a 854

Cairns Supreme & District Courts 335 169

Cairns Magistrates’ Court 2304 2974

Victim Support Unit 543

QUEENSLAND TOTAL 43,034 46,330

GRAND TOTAL 159,221 162,560

* does not include duty calls (VIC) or info line (QLD)

COURT NETWORK ANNUAL REPORT 2015–16 39 GLOSSARY

AGM LEGAL AID Annual General Meeting A free, state government funded legal service

ATSI LSB Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Legal Services Board

CALD LAQ Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Legal Aid Queensland

CISP NETWORKER Court Integrated Services Program A Court Network volunteer

COURT NETWORKER ODPP A Court Network volunteer The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions

COURT USER OPP Any person attending court Office of Public Prosecutions

CPI QCAT Consumer Price Index Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal

CSV VAQ Court Services Victoria Victims Assist Queensland

DHHS VCAT Department of Health and Human Services Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal

DOJ VLA Department of Justice Victoria Legal Aid

DVRCV VSU Domestic Violence Resource Centre Victoria Victim Support Unit

40 INFORMATION SUPPORT REFERRAL COURT NETWORK ANNUAL REPORT 2015–16 41 VICTORIA QUEENSLAND www.courtnetwork.com.au Level 5, 555 Lonsdale Street The Queen Elizabeth II Courts of Law ABN: 85 517 169 601 Melbourne VIC 3000 415 George Street ARBN: 122 324 805 DX: 210 312 Brisbane QLD 4000

Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Toll free number: 1800 681 614 Toll free number: 1800 267 671

42 INFORMATION SUPPORT REFERRAL