Community Legal Education (CLE) delivered to COOEE Elders

Last week, ATSILS lawyers Pree Sharma and Natasha Goddard traveled to Cleveland on Quandamooka Country to deliver a Community Legal Education (CLE) session for COOEE Elders.

The session focused on the essential pillars of future planning:

Wills
Enduring Powers of Attorney
Binding Nominations for Superannuation

It was an engaging session filled with robust discussion. The Elders’ interest and thoughtful questions highlighted the critical importance of proactive legal planning and ensuring one’s affairs are in order.

We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Aunty Margie and the COOEE Elders team for their invaluable partnership in coordinating this visit.

Education is at the heart of empowerment. ATSILS remains committed to providing accessible legal support to the community. We offer free and confidential services for these matters. If you or your community or organisation would like to learn more, please reach out to our team.

#AccessToJustice #CommunityLegalEducation #ATSILS

February 27, 2026

Community Engagement, Community Legal Education, News

Advocating for Change: Our Voice in the Justice System 🏛️⚖️

At ATSILS, our work goes beyond the courtroom. We are always working behind the scenes to challenge and change laws that disadvantage our people.

Through our Law Reform and Advocacy work, we make sure that the voices of our community are heard. We provide the evidence needed to show how laws negatively affect our people and how they can be made fairer.

We’ve recently finished several important submissions to Government, including:

Youth Justice & Monitoring: Fighting for better ways to support our youth rather than just increasing surveillance.

First Nations Education: Pushing for cultural safety and better outcomes for our kids in school.

Inquiry into Incarceration: Looking at the “why” behind high rates of prison time and how to fix a broken system.

CCC Review: Holding the watchdogs accountable to ensure transparency for everyone.

This work is all about accountability and making sure the justice system becomes one that is fair, transparent, and culturally safe for all of us.

Read our full submissions here: https://atsils.org.au/submissions/

#ATSILS #LawReform #QueenslandLaw #OurVoices #CommunityAdvocacy #JusticeForMob

February 20, 2026

Community Engagement, Community Legal Education, News

New CLE Resource – Expanded Police Wanding Powers (Jack’s Law) ⚖️

Helping Mob Navigate Expanded Police Wanding Powers (Jack’s Law) ⚖️

Community safety is important, but so are your rights. ✊🏾
With the introduction of Jack’s Law, police powers in Queensland have expanded. Police can now use handheld metal detection wands to search for weapons in certain public areas without a warrant or “reasonable suspicion.”

These expanded powers can have a disproportionate impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. To support community, ATSILS has developed a new legal education resource to help Mob stay informed.

This video is designed to provide clear, practical guidance to community on:
📍 Where these searches happen (like transport hubs & night precincts).
✋ Your rights when being stopped for a scan.
✅ Your responsibilities during the process to keep things calm.

📺Watch the video to learn how to navigate these interactions safely.

Need Legal Support?
If you or someone you know has been charged, or if you believe you have experienced unfair treatment or discrimination during a police wanding process, we encourage you to reach out for professional legal advice.

📞 ATSILS 24/7 Free Call: 1800 012 255

Animation produced by Punchy Studio

February 19, 2026

Community Engagement, Community Legal Education, Justice System, News

Submission 2026 Commonwealth Consultation – First Nations Education Policy

View our latest submission re: First Nations Education Policy Discussion Paper Consultation

Linked here: Submission-2026-Commonwealth-Consultation-First-Nations-Education-Policy-Upload-Version.pdf

For a list of all our latest legal submissions, please visit: Submissions – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service (QLD) Ltd

February 12, 2026

Community Engagement, News, Partners

🎥 Strengthening Pathways to Justice in the Far North 🎥

Our Cairns team is proud to be part of a critical partnership with the Family Responsibilities Commission (FRC), aimed at empowering First Nations people to fully participate in the criminal justice system.

The impact of this collaboration is captured in the new film, ‘My Justice Journey’. It follows the vital work of FRC Local Commissioners—respected Elders in the Aurukun community—as they provide essential, culturally grounded support to vulnerable community members navigating the justice system.

This project is a powerful testament to the necessity of community-led solutions in achieving meaningful justice outcomes.

February 10, 2026

News, Service Delivery

Recent Office Moves – We’re Growing to Better Serve Our Communities!

ATSILS is proud to maintain a statewide network of regional and satellite offices, providing vital criminal, civil, and family law services across Queensland.

Beyond legal representation, we are committed to holistic support through our key programs:

Throughcare Services (Rehabilitation & Reintegration)

Community Legal Education

Coronial & Public Sector Monitoring

To keep up with our growing team and services, several of our teams moved into new spaces in late 2025! If you are looking for us in Cairns, Townsville, Maroochydore, Hervey Bay, or Normanton, please note our locations have changed.

Check our updated contact details here: www.atsils.org.au/contact/

We are available 24/7 for urgent criminal law matters on 1800 012 255.