Aboriginal interpreters call for police engagement after inquest finding

Aboriginal interpreters 'overlooked' by WA Police years after wrongful Josh Warneke murder conviction Wed 17 Jun 2026 at 6:03pm In short: Aboriginal interpreters are renewing calls for greater police engagement, years after Gene Gibson's wrongful conviction for the murder of Josh Warneke. A coronial inquest into the death of Mr Warneke has made recommendations about police use of interpreters. What's next? WA Police said strategies had already been introduced to strengthen support for Aboriginal and culturally and linguistically diverse communities. Fifteen years after Gene Gibson was wrongfully convicted for the murder of Broome tradesman Josh Warneke, Aboriginal interpreters say they are still overlooked by WA Police. Despite speaking Pintupi as a first language, not English, Mr Gibson was not provided with an interpreter for his initial police interview. The Kiwirrkurra man subsequently spent five years in prison before he was acquitted in 2017. A coronial inquest into Mr Warneke's murder, and the botched police investigation, has recommended further training for police officers regarding the use of interpreters. Calls for more engagement Aboriginal Interpreting WA (AIWA) chief executive Deanne Lightfoot said Mr Gibson's case highlighted the serious consequences of failing to engage an interpreter. "The system cannot continue to treat Aboriginal language interpreting as optional,"she said. Ms Lightfoot said an interpreter was available at the time of Mr Gibson's interview, but was not called upon. "We were knocking on their door asking for them to have an interpreter on their investigation team," she said. "We also advocated for a re-interview with an interpreter, but unfortunately, that didn't occur either." AIWA chairman Desmond Taylor said Mr Gibson's experience could have been very different had an interpreter assisted police with the interview. "This is not about availability, this is about engagement," he said. "We want real implementation and recognition." Only seven calls this year Coroner Ros Fogliani found there was a "problematic culture" within Kimberley Police in 2012, where interpreters were not often utilised to assist in police interviews. "I note that since that time, WA Police have taken measures to ensure that interviewing police officers are aware of the need to consider the appropriateness of an interpreter," Ms Fogliani found. Ms Lightfoot agreed positive steps had been taken since Mr Gibson's wrongful conviction, but said the use of their service had waned in recent years. She said the corporation, which provides a 24/7 dedicated Aboriginal interpreting service across WA, had been engaged by police just seven times in 2026. Ms Lightfoot said AIWA interpreters had strong availability and were engaged by other parties, including lawyers and courts, multiple times per day. Calls for training Ms Fogliani recommended WA Police implement "specific and refresher" training about the use of interpreters. The recommendation was welcomed by Ms Lightfoot, who said police had been in contact with AIWA after the coroner's report was released. "We want clear systems in place so that police are required to contact AIWA early," she said. "Especially in serious matters, remote investigations or any situation where language or cultural communication may be an issue." A WA Police spokesperson said interpreter use was governed by policy and was not discretionary. "Compliance is reinforced through training and operational review," the spokesperson said. "Where a person is unable to effectively communicate in English, they must be provided access to a professional interpreter." The spokesperson said strategies had already been introduced to strengthen support for Aboriginal and culturally and linguistically diverse communities in their interactions with police. [Image text:] ABORIG INTERPRE ABORIGINAL CO