PRESS RELEASE

Philippine Embassy, Canberra

1 Moonah Place, Yarralumla, ACT 2600
www.philembassy.org.au    *Tel. No. 02-6273-2535*

02 July 2025, Perth - Ambassador Antonio Morales reaffirmed the strong bilateral collaboration in judicial cooperation in a meeting with Chief Justice Hon. Peter Quinlan of Western Australia on 02 July 2025 at the David Malcolm Justice Centre.

The meeting highlighted ongoing collaboration under the Fostering Advancement of Inclusive and Rights (FAIR)-based Justice Program, which aims to improve adjudication quality and case management for socially disadvantaged groups, while promoting transparency, accountability, and inclusion in justice delivery.

The Ambassador also discussed key bilateral agreements, including the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Judicial Cooperation between the Supreme Court of the Philippines and the Federal Court of Australia, as well as a separate MOU with the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia focused on enhancing access to family courts.

Chief Justice Quinlan discussed the Custody Notification Service (CNS) of the Aboriginal Legal Service of Western Australia (ALSWA), an initiative he championed and helped establish in 2019. The CNS provides immediate legal advice and a welfare check by an on-call solicitor to every Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person taken into police custody. This mandatory service ensures that vulnerable individuals receive timely support and are not overlooked within the justice system.

The meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment of both countries to deepening judicial cooperation and upholding a rules-based international order grounded in the principles of fairness, inclusivity, and respect for human rights. - END