Aboriginal interpreters in Western Australia's north say they want more engagement with police after revelations were made about the wrongful conviction of an Indigenous man during a coronial inquest last week.
Joshua Warneke was found dead on Old Broome Road in 2010 and 14 years later a coronial inquest began, taking place in Broome and concluding in Perth last week.
Kiwirrkurra man Gene Gibson was wrongfully convicted of killing Mr Warneke and a Corruption and Crime Commission report criticised the police investigation and found Mr Gibson was not provided a qualified interpreter.
Joshua Warneke died in Broome after a night out in February 2010. (Supplied: WA Police)
Aboriginal Interpreting WA (AIWA) chief executive Deanne Lightfoot said the group visited Mr Warneke's memorial on Friday to pay their respects and reflect on their renewed relationship with police.
"We wanted to come and honour young Joshua and his family … also in recognition of our long and tireless commitment [that] we'll never give up the fight for language rights and equal understanding for everyone through interpreters," she said.
Ms Lightfoot said it was "significant" to hear police admissions made in the inquest about Mr Gibson's lack of access to an interpreter.
"We don't want to see this case repeated, so we'd just like to be at the forefront of people's minds," she said.
"We'd like interpreters to be seen as a right and to be engaged."
The group visited Mr Warneke's memorial, which is based on Old Broome Road where he died. (ABC Kimberley: Mya Kordic)
Mr Warneke's mother Ingrid Bishop said there was still a "long way to go" to ensure Aboriginal and non-English speaking people were afforded their rights.
"I too, am tired of the rhetoric and white noise, and cases like Josh's are a way to drive change unequivocally. It's not a hard procedure to implement as mandatory, it just needs to be done," she said.
"Regions like the Kimberley and Pilbara should be leading global better-practice regarding Aboriginal peoples' human rights."
Interpreters want to be involved
AIWA co-chair Valma Banks assists the Broome Courthouse in Jaru and Kriol languages and said interpreters could be better utilised.
"Our role is still not really recognised enough, so many of our people are language speakers and they need to have interpreters," she said.
Gene Gibson was freed in April 2017 after spending five years in prison. (Supplied: Kiwirrkurra CSM)
AIWA's chairperson Robert Nanala said the justice system could further embrace his services.
"They booked me to come into Broome for my people … we have a really good magistrate and we work every Monday in his court," he said.
"This needs to happen everywhere too."
AIWA director Annette Kogolo said the failings in Mr Gibson's case highlighted the importance of working together with police.
Annette Kogolo says it is vital for police and interpreters to move forward together. (ABC Kimberley: Mya Kordic)
"There has been an increased awareness of the language policy and requirements and we have collaborated with the police. They now have an app with the speed dial for our office," she said.
A WA Police spokesperson said they could not comment on issues with the use of interpreters before findings and recommendations were delivered by the coroner.
"In addition to the continual improvement of policies, procedures and training, the introduction of the Custody Notification Service and development of the Yarning App highlight the ongoing commitment to finding ways to ensure all persons who interact with WA Police are treated fairly and equally," they said.
Police Minister Paul Papalia was contacted for comment.
Mother reflects on journey
Ms Bishop said there needed to be a strategic and operational investigative focus applied to the Coroner's findings and investigation into her son's death.
Ingrid Bishop (right) with her son Joshua at the beach in Broome. (Supplied: Ingrid Bishop)
"Omitting the coroner, I'm hoping there will be significant internal scrutiny and reflection from all agencies involved in regard to their role in this epic failure of the murder investigation," she said.
"The destruction and contamination of forensic evidence, the fact critical forensic evidence in some cases wasn't even considered or followed up until after the murder investigation was finished in 2014, when Gene Gibson was wrongfully arrested and convicted."
Ms Bishop made comment on the mishandling of the investigation by police.
"As stated publicly in the inquest, hundreds and hundreds of new lines of enquiry were identified after 2015 with five vehicles identified and dozens of new and existing suspects and witnesses identified for further investigative actions," she said.
Ms Bishop said AIWA's tribute was a "sliver of gold" and a moment that made the ongoing ordeal "worthwhile".
"The words they said towards Josh’s life and the songs they sang at his cross were incredibly moving for us," she said.