Media Release: Legal Services to continue in the Torres Strait Region and Northern Peninsula Area

Communities in the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area (NPA) will have continued access to
legal services thanks to a renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Torres Strait
Regional Authority and Attorney-General’s Department.

 
Since 2011 the agencies have cooperated to fund the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal
Service (ATSILS) (QLD) Ltd, to deliver Indigenous legal services in the Torres Strait and NPA region.
The Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) Chairperson, Mr Joseph Elu, said the partnership is an
important step in ensuring quality legal assistance, advice and representation for Torres Strait
Islander and Aboriginal clients in the region.

 
“The renewed MOU between the TSRA and Attorney-General’s Department secures the funding for
Indigenous legal services in the Torres Strait and NPA until 2018,” Mr Elu said.

 
“The ATSILS receives funding each year from the TSRA to enable them to provide these services.”
The ATSILS works together with Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal communities, key government
and non-government stakeholders to manage the delivery of services in a professional, culturally
competent and community-sensitive manner, to influence policy change, and to deliver high quality
legal services for Indigenous people within or exposed to the justice system.

 
“ATSILS staff in the region provides vital services in criminal, civil and family law and plays an
important role in delivering education programs to enhance individuals’ understanding of the legal
system,” Mr Elu said.

 
“The TSRA looks forward to its continued partnership with the Attorney-General’s Department and
ATSILS in delivering quality legal services in our region.”

 
Community members in the Torres Strait and NPA can contact ATSILS by calling 07 4069 1091
(Thursday Island office) or 07 4069 3970 (Bamaga office).

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