Thursday, December 8th, 2011

Government attacked for lack of language services

The state opposition has attacked the government for a lack of translating and interpreting services in government departments.

You can read a media release here:

Thursday, 8 December 2011

Barnett’s departments ignore Premier’s push on languages

Many government departments still lack language translation or interpretation policies despite Premier Colin Barnett demanding them in 2008, Shadow Multicultural Interests Minister John Hyde said today.

Mr Hyde said the Premier’s 2008 Language Services Policy (LSP) required all Western Australian public sector agencies to have policies for funding and delivering translating and interpreting services.

“It is crucial for these agencies to communicate effectively with Western Australians from a wide variety of linguistic backgrounds, and it’s disturbing many departments do not have the proper policies in place to do so,” he said.

“With 27 per cent of Western Australians born overseas and Indigenous Australians accounting for 3.8 per cent of the state’s population, it is outrageous so many government departments do not provide adequate translation services.

“In response to Parliamentary questions, Tourism Minister Kim Hames said Tourism WA ‘does not have a Language Services Policy as it does not have any services or programs that would require translating or interpretation’.

“If the Minister is serious about his commitment to increase the number of Chinese visitors to WA from 15,000 a year to 100,000 by 2020, he must implement a translation and interpretation policy as a matter of priority.”

Mr Hyde said The Art Gallery of Western Australia, Perth Theatre Trust, the Zoological Parks Authority and the Western Australian Museum delivered services to international tourists, yet none had a translation or interpretation policy.

“None of WA’s TAFE facilities have a translation or interpretation policy either, which could result in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CaLD) students being left behind,” he said.

“CaLD communities are also at risk in a fire emergency as FESA has no formal translation policies.”

Mr Hyde said the Department of Health, Department for Child Protection and Department for Communities only implemented translation and interpretation policies this year.

“These departments provide essential services to the community and miscommunication can pose a serious risk if interpretation services are not utilised correctly,” he said.

“The Barnett Government’s department’s must follow the lead of the Department of Agriculture and Food, which has had a translation and interpretation policy since 1999 and uses these services as part of its normal business.

“Premier Colin Barnett must take ownership of this issue and ensure all Western Australian government departments implement a language policy for more effective communication.”

JOHN HYDE MLA

SHADOW MINISTER FOR CULTURE AND THE ARTS; PLANNING; HERITAGE; MULTICULTURAL INTERESTS; CITIZENSHIP

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