Image:NaroomaCourtHouse.jpg

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Court house at Narooma, New South Wales Australia

The court house has been criticised as being the "smallest in the country".

LOCAL Aboriginal people have slammed the facilities at Narooma Local Court where 11 of their men are on trial in a landmark case.

Points of Law have been a drawn out part of the case in which local Kooris are staking their claim on fishing rights based on cultural and religious practices.

A spokesman for 11 Aboriginal men who are defending themselves in a landmark Native Title case at Narooma today attacked Federal Attorney General Phillip Ruddock and NSW Attorney General Bob Debus over the appalling court facilities provided at the Narooma Local Court.

The case, which began over a year ago, has since been heard over some weeks at Narooma.

"This is another example of the atrocious way indigenous or Aboriginal people of this country are treated," Ron Snape said.

"This 'ancient' courthouse is probably the smallest in the country and we have 11 Aboriginal men trying to assert their legal rights."

"There is no room for the men to sit in court when researchers and members of the public are present. Apart from a small wind exposed verandah there is no other shelter. There are no interviewing facilities for their lawyers who are crammed into a room which can only be described as a dog box.

"There's a lot of rhetoric from the Federal and State Governments on reconciliation and Aboriginal rights but that means nothing when it comes to this case and the appalling facilities.

"I have been told that a much larger courtroom and proper facilities for the men and their lawyers was - and is - available at Moruya Local Court which is available most of the time. Most of the men live nearby at Mogo."

"On behalf of these men I call on Phillip Ruddock and Bob Debus to urgently provide better court facilities for this case so justice can be seen to be done."

Narooma News 24 November 2004, viewed 30 Jan 2006

Picture taken by AYArktos

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• Narooma, New South Wales
• Court houses in New South Wales