Current Access to ATSILS Legal Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic
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Current Access to ATSILS Legal Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic

ServiceAccess_NeedLegalHelp_OfficeLocations_COVID-19_1During these uncertain times, please be assured ATSILS (QLD) is still currently providing legal assistance both in and out of court for our clients but with changes so as to protect our staff, our clients and our communities from the spread of COVID-19.
 
Some courts are closed and some only let a few people inside the court at a time. We are using telephone and video links where we can and adjourning matters that we can. We have cancelled all our non-essential travel to communities.
 
If you have a matter in court, please call the ATSILS office that is helping you before your court date. We can advise you what to do next by phone.
 
As of today 24/03/2020 we encourage all contact with ATSILS staff to be made via phone unless we have made other arrangements with you. All face to face lawyer/client contact and workshops with community groups will be officially suspended by ATSILS (QLD) as of 26/03/2020. We know things will keep changing so it is important to stay in touch with your local office.
 
If you are not sure which ATSILS Office is helping you, please call 1800 012 255.
 
For all state-wide contact details for ATSILS offices visit:
 
We will also do our best to share any changes in how we will be delivering services or changes to Court procedures, so please check our social media channels regularly for the latest updates.
 
View ATSILS Media Release re: Suspending Face to Face Contact with Clients:
 
Follow us on for the latest service delivery updates:
 
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Twitter:
 
LinkedIn:
Community Legal Education Network Workshop
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Community Legal Education Network Workshop

87464778_3196345357257220_5096653470425939968_oKate Greenwood our Prevention, Intervention and Community Legal Education Officer shares her wisdom on how to produce and publish podcasts as a medium for community legal education outreach.

Hosted in our Brisbane office training room this month, a network of community legal education professionals from Legal Aid Queensland and Community Legal Centres Queensland joined the discussion on how they structure and deliver their brand of legal education services to the community with Kate leading the discussion on how to produce podcasts.

Sharing knowledge and expertise with colleagues on a regular basis is critical to building capacity and enhancing services delivery in line with the needs of the community and it was great to host this inspiring group this month.

 

 

QUT Indigenous Pre Law and Justice Program visit to ATSILS
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QUT Indigenous Pre Law and Justice Program visit to ATSILS

EQASA0yU0AEBze_It was great to have students from QUT’s Indigenous Pre Law and Justice Program visit our Brisbane office this week. These bright and deadly ones spent time with our team to learn more about the important role of ATSILS in the function of the justice system and our work in protecting and advancing the legal & human rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The students were welcomed by our Director of Sector Engagement and Communications – Graham White, and members of our Legal, Court Support and Prevention, Intervention and Community Legal Education teams enjoyed sharing insight into the key roles they undertake in delivering legal services to the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.

Increased representation from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the legal sector is an important element in addressing the ongoing disadvantage our people experience in the justice system. AT ATSILS we are committed to fostering partnerships with progressive academic institutions like QUT (Queensland University of Technology) and welcome the opportunity to play our part in inspiring the next generation of legal practitioners along their career paths.

Photo Credit: (QUT Indigenous Pre Law and Justice Program)

National Reconciliation Week celebrations this week on Thursday Island
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National Reconciliation Week celebrations this week on Thursday Island

IMG20190527124359ATSILS took part in National Reconciliation Week celebrations this week on Thursday Island, attending the ’67 Referendum Day Community Gathering and Morning Tea with Elders at the Anglican Church Community Hall.

ATSILS participated in providing an information stall for the community along with other Thursday Island Social Justice Interagency Services.

Big esso to the coordinators of the event for inviting us to participate, the “Black Paradise” band for providing the tunes and most importantly the Elders who shared with us their fascinating stories of the events leading to the 1967 Referendum.

 

 

 

 

 

Community Legal Education: Torres Strait Islands – September 2018
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Community Legal Education: Torres Strait Islands – September 2018

Community Legal EducationOur CLE Team will be delivering community legal education sessions in the following locations across the Torres Strait Islands next week.

Dauan Island
Where: TSIRC Office
When: Monday, 24 September 2018 at 10am

Ugar/Stephen Island
Where: TSIRC Office
When: Tuesday, 25 September 2018 at 10am

Poruma/Coconut Island
When: Wednesday, 26 September 2018 at 10am
Want to talk to a lawyer?

Community members are welcome to come and talk to us about a range of civil, criminal and family law issues including:

  • Your rights & responsibilities when interacting with police
  • Attending court
  • Child protection
  • Traditional Adoption
  • Divorce/separation
  • Domestic violence
  • Debts and unpaid fines
  • Driver licences
  • Superannuation
  • Wills
  • Consumer law

*Have another question? Just come and ask! We look forward to meeting you.

ATSILS Thursday Island has a team of lawyers able to assist you with a range of legal issues. Come meet with us and learn how to access ATSILS services and what we can do to help you. You can also contact the Thursday Island Team on: (07) 4069 1091

Community engagement in the Far North
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Community engagement in the Far North

Image may contain: 8 people, people smiling, people standingMossman – Kuranda – Yarrabah

Staff from our Brisbane office ventured to Cairns, Mossman Kuranda & Yarrabah recently to meet with community members including representatives from the local justice groups. The team shared legal education resources related to blue card applications, provided information sessions and application assistance for the Royal Commission into Child Abuse and discussed some of the key justice issues facing these communities.

In Yarrabah the team met with local shire Mayor Ross Andrews and and Gindaja. It was great to hear about the important work being undertaken by the Gindaja Community Justice Program and to spend time with their Coordinator Lerissa and talk about ways we can work together to help address some of the justice and social problems facing the community. Some of the key issues discussed included problems related to domestic violence, driving offences and issues arising from breaches of community alcohol management plans.

ATSILS is committed to engaging with community regularly to ensure our services are responsive to local need and this trip provided an important opportunity to connect with local people and identify areas of need in relation to legal education and awareness.

to connect with local people and identify areas of need in relation to legal education and awareness.

On the Road to Cherbourg with our Murgon Office
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On the Road to Cherbourg with our Murgon Office

This week our Director of Sector Engagement and Communications and our Prevention, Intervention and Community Legal Education Officer paid a visit to our Murgon office to spend time with the fantastic ATSILS team delivering quality services in the South Burnett region.

The team shared cake and important discussions with Cherbourg elders and the local Justice Group and it was a good opportunity to hear about some of the current justice issues facing this historic community. ATSILS shared a range of legal education resources and information about the Prisoner Throughcare Program with the group..

Working in whopping 45 degrees in the shade, it was great to see the dedicated Murgon team in action. They are a true representation of the strong commitment to community displayed by all our regional offices.

Cherbourg Justice Group
Cherbourg Justice Group
ATSILS Murgon Team
ATSILS Murgon Team
ATSILS - Court House Murgon
ATSILS - Court House Murgon
ATSILS at Murgon
ATSILS at Murgon
Cherbourg
Cherbourg
Ration Shed
Ration Shed
OPCAT – the torture prevention treaty that ensures the human rights and dignity of people in places of detention are protected.
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OPCAT – the torture prevention treaty that ensures the human rights and dignity of people in places of detention are protected.

The Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture – OPCAT – sends a clear message: the risk of torture and other ill-treatment exists in all situations where persons are deprived of their liberty . The OPCAT is a UN treaty that Australia has signed up to that would ensure national and international monitoring of people in these vulnerable situations. The transparency this creates acts as a deterrent to violating human rights in the first place. The OPCAT has bipartisan support, but has not been put into effect. Australia has sat on it since 2009. We call on the Australian government to ratify OPCAT as a matter of urgency as we believe this treaty is fundamental to ensuring the human rights and dignity of people in places of detention are protected.

Find out more about OPCAT here:
https://www.humanrights.gov.au/our-work/rights-and-freedoms/projects/optional-protocol-convention-against-torture-opcat

How to apply for a protection order? A guide to applying for a domestic violence protection order in Queensland.
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How to apply for a protection order? A guide to applying for a domestic violence protection order in Queensland.