Congratulations to our departing Director of Criminal Law, Mr Lewis Shillito, who leaves us after being appointed as a Magistrate in the latest announcement by Queensland Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath.
It is a bitter-sweet moment as we say farewell to a consummate professional. Still, we are grateful for the time he dedicated to ATSILS and his immense contribution to the organisation in leading our Criminal Law Team.
Without a doubt, it is a big loss – but such is far more than compensated for by the fact that we are all so proud of his onward journey and that ATSILS has played a small part in his stepping stones towards the bench.
ATSILS is also proud that we have now had back-to-back appointments to the bench of our Directors of Criminal Law – with Lewis following in the footsteps of his predecessor Mr Andrew Hackett.
Lewis is a legal practitioner of the highest calibre, and on behalf of the ATSILS Board and CEO, we’d like to acknowledge the fantastic job he has done as our Director of Criminal Law over the past seven years. This is such a well-deserved appointment – and the whole team at ATSILS couldn’t be happier for Lewis.
Congratulations Lewis you are an inspiration to the team, all the best for the exciting journey ahead!
Media Statement:
https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/101200
Elders for Change – Townsville
The team provided insights into our Close the Gap Policy approach and discussed the complex justice issues facing the local community. The passion and vision shared by the Elders concerning their intervention and prevention approach were inspiring. The grass-roots justice reinvestment approach they deliver to the community is critical to addressing the drivers of offending and unacceptable incarceration rates.
ATSILS has long advocated for community-led justice reinvestment initiatives and it is great to see the Federal Government invest in this approach in Townsville. Elders for Change are helping to prevent deaths in custody by providing cultural support and, with the Elders’ guidance, offenders and prison staff are building better relationships which makes our prisons safer. They’re also building strong relationships with service providers in the justice sector to enhance service delivery to their community and divert people from contact with the justice system. These important connections with grass-roots-led programs certainly assist organisations like ours to fine-tune our service delivery in line with the needs of the local community.
We thank ‘Elders for Change’ for taking the time to share their wisdom and look forward to strengthening our relationship in the future.
Cooee Redlands Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander DFV Forum
The team found the forum very informative, with the issue of Domestic and Family Violence prosecution /defence and the recent amendments to the legislation regarding coercive control being presented by various stakeholders throughout the day.
CLE: Helping Deadly Young Mob avoid the pitfalls of Buy Now Pay Later!
Congratulations Mr Lewis Shillito on being appointed to the bench.
It is a bitter-sweet moment as we say farewell to a consummate professional. Still, we are grateful for the time he dedicated to ATSILS and his immense contribution to the organisation in leading our Criminal Law Team.
Without a doubt, it is a big loss – but such is far more than compensated for by the fact that we are all so proud of his onward journey and that ATSILS has played a small part in his stepping stones towards the bench.
ATSILS is also proud that we have now had back-to-back appointments to the bench of our Directors of Criminal Law – with Lewis following in the footsteps of his predecessor Mr Andrew Hackett.
Lewis is a legal practitioner of the highest calibre, and on behalf of the ATSILS Board and CEO, we’d like to acknowledge the fantastic job he has done as our Director of Criminal Law over the past seven years. This is such a well-deserved appointment – and the whole team at ATSILS couldn’t be happier for Lewis.
Congratulations Lewis you are an inspiration to the team, all the best for the exciting journey ahead!
Media Statement:
https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/101200
Mossman High School Careers Day – Inspiring the Next Generation!
All in all, it was a great day out and we hope we played a small part in encouraging the next generation of bright young minds to consider a rewarding career in the legal assistance sector. Thank you to Mossman High School for the opportunity to engage with this fine region of future leaders and community organisations.
A great tribute to Lyle Parker in QLS Proctor
…The recently retired criminal lawyer just wanted to show “people are people” and make to sure the disadvantaged and vulnerable “were treated with respect and dignity”.
https://www.qlsproctor.com.au/2024/08/hippie-just-focused-on-helping/
Helping Deadly Young Mob in Cairns “Get Work Ready”.
The students were highly engaged in the session and left feeling equipped to approach the working world confidently. Congratulations to the students who have completed their certificates and all the best for a bright future in the workforce.
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day – Innisfail
Members of our Cairns team attended the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day event hosted by Mamu Health Service in Innisfail. It was a joy celebrating our children and getting an insight into the local community’s concerns and finding out where ATSILS may be able to target key services to be part of the solution. The team also provided information on our Respect@Work program which was of interest to the community.
The children’s favourite pick of ATSILS merchandise were the sun hats and drink bottles as pictured. We thank Mamu Health Service and Innisfail for hosting such a warm and engaging community event.
Respect@Work Program – CLE: Cairns
The students showed great engagement with the content of the CLE and were very receptive to dealing with this sensitive workplace issue as they prepare to complete their studies and enter the workforce.
ATSILS also provided a range of merchandise and legal resources to complement their learning. Many of the students requested more information on other key legal topics from ATSILS and we plan to deliver more resources to assist these robust learners leading the way for our communities.
ATSILS thanks the IYMP and their student cohort for their generosity and valued partnership to date and we look forward to continuing to build on this strong relationship into the future.
JOINT MEDIA STATEMENT: Condemning the state sanctioned abuse and mass incarceration of First Nations children with disability
The significant over-representation of First Nations children in custody, especially those with cognitive or intellectual disabilities, is an ongoing and well-documented national crisis.
FPDN, NATSILS, ATSILS and SNAICC call upon the Qld Government to Immediately reinstate the Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld) in relation to children detained in police watch houses, abolish the practice of solitary confinement for children, improve intersectional disability data collection, implement effect screening and supports and mandate disability rights informed training for all custodial staff.
Read our full Joint Statement here: JOINT MEDIA STATEMENT: Condemning the state sanctioned abuse and mass incarceration of First Nations children with disability – FPDN