Cultural competence in First Nations cases

Done By Law

In this episode, we explore the issue of the cultural competency of legal practitioners appearing in matters involving First Nations clients - and in discussing the rights of First Nations people coming before the courts. We talk about what cultural competency is, how it impacts First Nations clients and how lawyers can improve cultural safety for First Nations clients involved in legal issues or requiring advice. We are joined by Avelina Tarrago, a barrister based in North Quarter Lane Chambers, Brisbane. Avelina is a proud Wangkamadla woman from Central-West Queensland, and was admitted to the profession in 2009 and called to the bar in 2017. She has a general practice with focus on inquest and Commissions of Inquiry, regulatory and administrative law. Prior to joining North Quarter Lane Chambers, Avelina worked as a Senior Legal Officer for the Office of the Health Ombudsman and Counsel Assisting in the Coroners Court of Queensland. In 2014 she was selected as an Indigenous Fellow by the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights to undertake a two month fellowship in Geneva. From 2018 to 2022 Avelina was the President of the Indigenous Lawyers Association of Queensland. She is also a member of a number of different legal policy committees relating to Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders. In February 2020, Avelina was appointed as a part-time Legal Member of the Mental Health Review Tribunal.