ABOUT
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service (Qld) LTD, is a non-profit, community based organisation funded through a single national mechanism managed by the Queensland Government – Department of Justice and Attorney General to to provide criminal, civil and family law services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians and their families in Queensland.
After a 50-year long commitment to funding ATSILS though the Indigenous Legal Assistance Program (ILAP) through the Commonwealth Attorney General’s Department, the federal government announced that from July 1 – 2020 the ILAP model of funding would be mainstreamed into a single national mechanism managed through State Governments.
In addition to legal assistance and representation ATSILS is also funded to provide services in the following program areas:
- Law Reform (especially that aimed at prevention and early intervention);
- Community Legal Education; and
- Coronial and Public Sector Monitoring
Through the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet (PMC – Community Safety Branch) ATSILS is also funded to provide services in the following program area:
With a team of 200+ staff across the State, ATSILS (QLD) brings together a wealth of experience in the fields of Criminal, Civil and Family Law. Growth in the areas of Law Reform, Community Legal Education and Throughcare Support in recent years has also allowed us to provide a more diverse range of related services to members of our communities across the State.
OUR BUSINESS APPROACH
ATSILS adopts western business practices and principles and applies them to culturally proficient service delivery.
Our performance is measured by our capacity to transform total resource inputs into innovative, professional and culturally proficient service outputs.
OUR ROLE
- Ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients and their families receive high quality legal assistance, advice and representation if they come into contact with the justice system;
- Assist and inform Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities, through community legal education programs, to enhance their understanding of the justice system;
- Influence a positive change within the justice system to reflect a better understanding and appreciation of the culturally specific and diverse challenges and circumstances that impact upon Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities.
- Provide quality evidenced-based research, advice and direction to rectify policies and practices that impact adversely and disproportionately on the legal rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people under Australian law;
- Maintain a proactive focus and monitoring role to ensure accountability in the implementation of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody recommendations; and
- Ensure the ongoing development and continuous improvement of the Law and Justice Program and its outcomes.