Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Awareness Day
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Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Awareness Day

FASD Awareness Day

No alcohol  during pregnancy ‪#‎FASDAwarenessDay‬

Today is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Awareness Day. The day puts a spotlight on the dangers of drinking alcohol during pregnancy and the plight of families and individuals living with FASD. FASD is a disorder caused by maternal consumption of alcohol prior to a child’s birth.  This spectrum of disorders can leave affected individuals with wide ranging and varied behavioural and cognitive problems that often see them end up in the justice system rather than the health system.

FASD is a significant issue effecting many families in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. A recent House of Representatives Standing committee report says Indigenous children fall through cracks of education system and later land in prison as FASD is misdiagnosed or not treated.

The report recommended all governments work to adopt a justice reinvestment strategy in predominantly Indigenous communities as a more effective way to keep people out of prison and reduce inter-generational alcohol abuse.

View more:
http://www.theguardian.com/…/foetal-alcohol-syndrome-should…

 
Online FASD Resources:
For more information on FASD check out this web resource by the Australian Indigenous Alcohol and Other Drugs Knowledge Centre
http://www.aodknowledgecentre.net.au/aodkc/alcohol/fasd

 

For more information on FASD or FASD Awareness Day, please visit:
http://www.nofasd.org.au/get-involved/international-fasd-awareness-day

 

Change the Record:
Join the ‪#‎ChangeTheRecord‬ campaign to call on Governments to adopt justice reinvestment strategies that tackle the root causes of imprisonment –www.changetherecord.org.au/pledge

Marginalised Queenslanders Influencing Public Policy Workshop
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Marginalised Queenslanders Influencing Public Policy Workshop

On Monday 18/08/2015 CEO Shane Duffy took part in a great workshop supported by QCOSS, Anti-Discrimination Commission Queensland, the Queensland Public Advocate, Queenslanders with Disability Network and Griffith University. The workshop provided a valuable insight into how the most vulnerable Queenslanders’ can influence public policy from a number of different perspectives.

The keynote address by Professor Gerard Quinn focused on restoring the “human” in “Human Rights” and the case for a Charter of Rights in providing a voice for marginalised citizens.

Providing a critical perspective from the Indigenous sector Shane was part of a panel of key opinion leaders exploring topics such as criminal justice, need driven investment, consumer lead design of services and vulnerability in a market environment.

http://www.adcq.qld.gov.au/…/marginalised-queenslanders-inf…

Avoid a Funeral R.I.P Off – Information for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Consumers
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Avoid a Funeral R.I.P Off – Information for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Consumers

A new national campaign “Avoid a funeral rip-off” has been released by Australian consumer protection agencies this week. The campaign aims to inform Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander consumers about the different funeral products that are available and to help prevent them signing up for funeral plans that are expensive, complex and not suitable for their needs.

Funerals can be costly and there are many options available to cover the cost of your funeral so don’t rush into a decision. Take the time to research and seek advice to help ensure you find a product that is suitable for you needs.

Below are links to resources that can help you become more aware of the pitfalls and options available.

Avoid of Funeral R.I.P Off – Campaign Video

Information on Paying For Funerals – ASIC Smart Money Resources
https://www.moneysmart.gov.au/life-events-and-you/indigenous/paying-for-funerals

Choosing funeral cover – Queensland Government Information
http://www.qld.gov.au/law/your-rights/consumer-rights-complaints-and-scams/consumer-advice-rights-and-responsibilties/advice-for-indigenous-consumers/choosing-funeral-cover/

 

QLD STATE BUDGET: Youth Justice Conferencing Reinstated
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QLD STATE BUDGET: Youth Justice Conferencing Reinstated

More positive news for Queensland’s justice system with confirmation in the State budget that Youth Justice Conferencing will be reinstated.

If your child breaks the law and admits to the crime, police have the option to refer your child to a youth justive conference instead of sending them to court.

A youth justice conference is a meeting between a young offender who has committed a crime and the people affected by that crime. The process looks to ensure the offender acknowledges the impacts and consequences of crime for victims and the community. A conference provides an opportunity for everybody involved to be heard and allows all involved to be a part of the decision-making about how your child should make up for their crime.

The focus of youth justice conferencing is on repairing the harm caused by your child’s offending behaviour.

More information on Youth Justice Conferencing: 

QLD STATE BUDGET: Murri Court & other diversionary programs reinstated
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QLD STATE BUDGET: Murri Court & other diversionary programs reinstated

It is great to see the State Government honour its election commitment to reinstate courts such as the Murri Court and Special circumstances Court diversion programs.

The reinstatement of these successful diversionary programs is a feature of the Government’s boost to spending on the justice system in the 2015-16 State Budget.

Diversionary courts like the Murri, Special Circumstances and the Drug courts are key examples of smarter approaches to justice that focus on rehabilitating offenders, reducing the rate of crime and creating considerable long-term cost savings for the community.

In a climate where the state’s justice system is grappling with a record prison population, the decision to reinstate effective alternatives to incarceration is a win for common sense and the most vulnerable members in the community.

Read the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Yvette D’Ath’s media statement here:

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2015/7/14/court-programs-to-address-crime-reinstated

The Office of the Health Ombudsman – help with healthcare complaints.
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The Office of the Health Ombudsman – help with healthcare complaints.

Do you have a complaint about a health service provided to you, a family member, or someone in your care? Today our CEO Shane Duffy and Principal Legal Officer Greg Shadbolt met with representatives from The Office of the Health Ombudsman.

The Office of the Health Ombudsman is Queensland’s health service complaints agency. They are an independent statutory body and the one place all Queenslanders should go if they have a complaint about a health service provider or a health service provided to them, a family member or someone in their care.

For more information visit:
http://www.oho.qld.gov.au

 

Fact Sheets

How to make a health service complaint or lodge a notification against a health service provider.
http://www.oho.qld.gov.au/resources/fact-sheets/

Mediation in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities
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Mediation in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have shown a lot of interest in mediation since Dispute Resolution Centres were established.

Mediation is more in tune with the traditional ways of settling disputes in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities than the legal and criminal justice system.

Linked below is a great fact sheet released by the State Department of Justice and Attorney-General on mediation in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities with a list of state-wide mediation services contacts.

View Fact Sheet

 

Further Information:

http://www.qld.gov.au/law/legal-mediation-and-justice-of-the-peace/setting-disputes-out-of-court/medation-for-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-peoples/ 

A NEW CAMPAIGN tackling the national crisis of Indigenous imprisonment rates launches today.
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A NEW CAMPAIGN tackling the national crisis of Indigenous imprisonment rates launches today.

‘Change the Record’ – Smarter Justice, Safer Communities

Today the ‘Change the Record’ campaign was launched in Redfern, Sydney. This new campaign aims to put an end to the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the justice system within a generation. ATSILS CEO Shane Duffy is the Co-Chair of the National Justice Coalition the Steering Committee formed to lead the campaign.  The National Justice Coalition is comprised of a group of leading Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, human rights and community organisations who are working together to promote a new blueprint for justice. The innovative approach focuses on addressing  the underlying causes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander imprisonment rates and more effectively promotes community safety.

Through our peak body NATSILS we are proud to support this important campaign tackling the shocking rate of Indigenous incarceration head on. You can show your support by joining us in making the pledge to ‘Change the Record’ on Indigenous Imprisonment. The more people standing together the more we can achieve. https://changetherecord.org.au/pledge 

For more information on this important campaign visit:
https://changetherecord.org.au

Media Release
https://changetherecord.org.au/blog/news/media-release-time-to-change-the-record

Media Coverage
Listen to Co-Chairs Kristie Parker & Shane Duffy being interviewed on the ABC radio program – (AM, PM and The World Today) about the campaign: http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/news/audio/twt/201504/20150430-twt06-indigcustody.mp3

Paying for Funerals – ASIC Money Smart Resource
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Paying for Funerals – ASIC Money Smart Resource

 

pdfPaying for Funerals Booklet

 

Money Smart Video: Understanding Funeral Plans

More Information and Resources
View more ASIC Money Smart Resources written specifically for Aboriginal & Torres Islander people. ASIC_MoneySmartLogo

 

 

 

ASIC Indigenous Help Line

ASIC Indigenous Help Line

Be Smart Buy Smart: Understand Your Rights as a Consumer – ASIC Money Smart Resource
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Be Smart Buy Smart: Understand Your Rights as a Consumer – ASIC Money Smart Resource

 

pdfA simple guide to help you understand your rights as a consumer.

 

 

More Information and Resources

View more ASIC Money Smart Resources written specifically for Aboriginal & Torres Islander people. 

ASIC_MoneySmartLogo

 

 

 

 

ASIC Indigenous Help Line

ASIC Indigenous Help Line