For the first time in its history, Western Australia’s Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committee (AJAC) will be co-chaired by a Pilbara leader, with Pilbara Aboriginal Health Alliance (PAHA) Executive Manager Community Services, Henry Lockyer, appointed as its inaugural Co-Chair.
PAHA proudly congratulates Henry on this appointment, which brings strong Pilbara experience and Aboriginal leadership into one of the state’s key justice reform spaces.
A proud Banjima man and respected Community leader, Henry has represented the Pilbara on AJAC since May 2023. He brings extensive experience in Community consultation, governance and Culturally informed engagement, holding strong Community and stakeholder relationships across the Pilbara.
As Co-Chair, Henry will work alongside the Department of Justice’s Director General, Kylie Maj, to lead AJAC’s work advising the Governor General and Minister for Corrective Services on Aboriginal justice policy, priorities and outcomes.
For PAHA, Henry’s appointment reflects the importance of Aboriginal leadership and lived experience in shaping the systems and decisions that affect Aboriginal Communities. It also provides an opportunity for the knowledge and experiences of the Pilbara to contribute to justice reform at a state level.
“We carry a responsibility to our Peoples and Communities,” Henry said.
“It is our lived experiences and understanding of the impacts, challenges and solutions that enable us to work in genuine partnership with the Department to identify opportunities, influence change and contribute to better outcomes.”
PAHA Chief Executive Officer Ashley Councillor said Henry’s appointment is a landmark moment for PAHA and the Pilbara.
“Henry is a respected leader who is deeply committed to Community. His appointment as the first Co-Chair of the Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committee recognises the knowledge, experience and advocacy he brings to this work,” Ashley said.
“Better outcomes come when Aboriginal people have a genuine role in the decisions that affect their lives. Henry’s appointment with AJAC reflects this, and will bring valuable cross-sector insight of how justice, health, family and wellbeing intersect to his role at PAHA. This broader perspective supports more holistic thinking about service delivery for Aboriginal Communities, while keeping Community perspectives at the centre of the conversations and reforms shaping the future of Aboriginal justice in Western Australia.”
The work ahead is about making sure the experiences of Aboriginal Peoples and Communities continue to shape the policies and systems that affect their lives.
Henry’s appointment gives that work a stronger place at the table.
We congratulate Henry on this significant achievement and look forward to the contribution he will make to better outcomes for Aboriginal Communities across Western Australia.
