Commonwealth Ombusman echoes call for indigenous interpreter, Duncan
Author: Wendy Duncan
Published on: 19-April-2011
The Commonwealth Ombudsman has echoed a call for the extension of indigenous language interpreting services, made recently by the Hon Wendy Duncan, Member for Mining and Pastoral Region.
In the report, Talking in Language: Indigenous language interpreters and government communication, Ombudsman Allan Asher investigated complaints which indicated that Indigenous language interpreters were not always used when they should be.
The investigation examined six agencies’ awareness of the need to make use of Indigenous language interpreters and concluded that agencies needed to review their own approach to the use of, and engagement with, Indigenous language interpreters.
Releasing the report today, Acting Ombudsman Alison Larkins said that government agencies—and their contracted service providers—needed to increase their awareness of the need for Indigenous language interpreters; train staff to work with interpreters and develop comprehensive policies on their use; build their engagement with interpreter services and include the costs associated with training interpreters into new policy initiatives and remove the barriers to recruiting interpreters.
The report stated that improved use of interpreters was critical to the achievement of a better relationship between government and Indigenous Australians.
The Ombudsman’s office conceded that there was a shortage of Indigenous language interpreters and that it could be difficult to retain their services, but stated that government agencies had an obligation to establish policies and provide services that meet the needs of all Australians.
The findings of the report come as no surprise to Ms Duncan, who believes that improved interpreting services will provide a much needed balance of communication.
At present the Kimberley Interpreting Service is the only organisation assisting Aboriginal people when they have to deal with health, legal or other government agencies, and Ms Duncan is supportive of the Ngalia Foundation’s efforts to engage suitable linguists to provide translating services and document the different languages in the Goldfields Region.
