25th Anniversary of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody
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25th Anniversary of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody

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Today is the 25th Anniversary of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody Report ‪#‎RCIADIC‬

This morning ATSILS CEO Shane Duffy and Dr Jackie Huggins Co-Chairs of Change the Record Coalition are at Parliament House in Canberra commemorating lives lost and working for change.

In the 25 years since the handing down of the RCIADIC report Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander incarceration rates have almost doubled. It time for change. Here’s what’s needed:
https://changetherecord.org.au/blueprint-for-change

CTR_RCIADIC_25Anniversary_1

 

Murri Court – official re-opening in Rockhampton
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Murri Court – official re-opening in Rockhampton

This week staff from our team in Rockhampton attended the official re-opening of the Murri Court – the first re-opening to occur in the State.

The opening ceremony was attended by a number of important dignitaries, including the Attorney-General, the Chief Judge of the District Court, the Chief Magistrate and local Elders (just to name a few).

A number of speeches were made to commemorate the occasion and our dedicated team in Rocky were acknowledged by the Coordinating Magistrate (Mr Press) in his speech. He spoke about the hard work ATSILS does and made particular mention of Tammy House our Court Support Officer in the region. Magistrate Press indicated that he could not imagine how the Court would function without Tammy’s invaluable assistance, particularly helping our clients to properly understand their charges and give instructions.

Great to see this culturally responsive justice alternative re-established and well done to the team in Rocky.

Murri Court Re-launch, Rockhampton QLD- April 2016
Murri Court Re-launch, Rockhampton QLD- April 2016
Murri Court Re-launch, Rockhampton QLD- April 2016
Murri Court Re-launch, Rockhampton QLD- April 2016
Murri Court Re-launch, Rockhampton QLD- April 2016
Murri Court Re-launch, Rockhampton QLD- April 2016
Murri Court Re-launch, Rockhampton QLD- April 2016
Murri Court Re-launch, Rockhampton QLD- April 2016
Murri Court Re-launch, Rockhampton QLD- April 2016
Murri Court Re-launch, Rockhampton QLD- April 2016
Media Release: Legal Services to continue in the Torres Strait Region and Northern Peninsula Area
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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).

View Media Release

 

Building capacity in our Family Law Practice
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Building capacity in our Family Law Practice

ATSILS Family Law 2015Building capacity in our Family Law Practice to better meet identified need across the state.

We welcome Lorraine Blanco (Cairns) and Juliet Walker (Brisbane) to the ATSILS Family Law team.

We are thrilled to have Lorraine Blanco (nee Namok) on board as our first Torres Strait Islander woman lawyer. Lorraine will be heading north to our Cairns office after enjoying two weeks induction in Brisbane working closely with Jennifer Ekanayake and the Family Law team. In December she is looking to undertake a circuit up to Cooktown, Wudjal Wudjal and Hopevale which will be a celebration and a form of welcome to country for her. Lorraine is a Moa Island women and has had extensive experience practicing with Legal Aid and also enjoyed significant work in the area of native title.

Juliet Walker is our newest Paralegal (Junior Legal Practitioner) in Brisbane and we congratulate her on being admitted as a solicitor just this week. Juliet completed her Arts/Law degree at UQ and she joins Jennifer and the team in Brisbane after gaining valuable experience assisting at Caxton Legal Centre, QPILCH and Kilroy & Callaghan lawyers.

From all the team welcome aboard!

Photo (Left to Right): 
Jennifer, Juliet, Lorraine, Lisa and Colette.

 

ATSILS in North West Queensland this week
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ATSILS in North West Queensland this week

ATSILS Executive TeamThis week Shane, Greg and Graham from our Executive Team are on the ground out in North West Queensland meeting with key stakeholders and government officials around the local challenges and justice issues facing various communities in this vast region.

Today the team met with Judy Ontronen – Manager of the Cloncurry Justice Association, an important organization that supports and empowers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander victims and offenders at all stages of the legal process. It was a productive meeting focusing on strengthening relationships around community safety and crime prevention initiatives.

The team said it was a great pleasure to meet Judy and her staff. Her enthusiasm and dedication were heart warming and she is the type of person who is the heart and soul of smaller country towns.

 

 

 

 

 

ATSILS CEO Mt IsaProud Kalkadoon man and ATSILS CEO Shane Duffy back on country meeting with the Mt Isa Mayor – The Hon. Cr Tony Mcgrady Am on solutions to critical crime and justice issues affecting the community.

 

Quick Thinking and First Aid Training Combine to Save a Young Lady’s Life: Well Done Darryl McCarthy
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Quick Thinking and First Aid Training Combine to Save a Young Lady’s Life: Well Done Darryl McCarthy

Darry McCarthyCourt Support, CPR and quick thinking combine at the right place and the right time to save a life.

We would like to commend the efforts of Darryl McCarthy, our Court Support Officer out in Cunnamulla. Darryl recently had to go beyond the normal call of duty to intervene in a critical situation to save a life.

Darryl was in his office printing paper work for a client when she suddenly collapsed. “I called her in and just as I handed her the pen her eyes rolled back and she nearly fell through the window,” Darry said. “At first I thought she was joking but we fell to the ground together, by the time I got to my hands and knees she had stopped breathing. I checked her pulse but there was nothing.”

Darryl responded quickly putting his first-aid training into action, beginning CPR on the lady and directing her family to call an ambulance. He persisted with CPR until the ambulance arrived and her vital signs returned. She was transferred to a hospital in Brisbane but is now at home recovering well. The young lady and her family were of course very appreciative of Darryl’s efforts.

Darryl said the first aid training he had undertaken as part of his job requirements at ATSILS made all the difference and was the main reason the situation ended well. “It provided me with the skills and confidence to act.” Darryl was happy to speak about his actions in the hope that it would give others the confidence to put their training into action and be part of a rescue if ever needed. Although understandably shaken up about the whole incident, Darryl is just happy that this young client is ok.

From all the team at ATSILS, fantastic job Darryl!

CONGRATULATIONS to C’Zarke Maza Winner of the 2015 Trevor Christian Award
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CONGRATULATIONS to C’Zarke Maza Winner of the 2015 Trevor Christian Award

C'Zarke MazaA Big CONGRATULATIONS to C’Zarke Maza winner of the 2015 Trevor Christian Award (male).

C’Zarke is the Regional Manager of our Thursday Island office and a fitting recipient of the NATSILS “Trevor Christian Award” presented to individuals who have made an exceptional commitment to the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

C’Zarke is a descendant of the Meriam people of Murray Island in the Torres Strait and Yidinjdji people from the coast of Cairns. He has committed most of his career towards championing the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and has displayed a relentless drive in advocating for justice and equality for Australia’s First people. A most committed legal practitioner, C’Zarke works tirelessly to address the over-representation of First Nations Australians in the criminal justices system through the provision of high quality legal representation.

In 2000 he was awarded the Bundjalung Prize for his invaluable contribution to the Bundjalung Nation.

Congratulation C’Zarke you are a highly respected and valued member of the community and we are fortunate to have you as part of the ATSILS team!

BRISBANE: Sharing our Experience of Service Delivery
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BRISBANE: Sharing our Experience of Service Delivery

Yesterday members of our Executive management team in Brisbane hosted a delegation from the Legal Aid Foundation Taiwan – including their Secretary-General.

The delegation was on a fact-finding mission to get insight on how we deliver our specialised legal services. Of particular interest were things such as the cultural competency of our staff, our quality controls and Murri Court  – (given the Indigenous population in Taiwan).

 

With the help of an interpreter the meeting proved to be great cross cultural exchange. The delegation was clearly grateful for our time and feedback, which included the provision of casework standards.

 

As a mark of appreciation the ATSILS team was presented with a special gift, a “Limpidwing Flying Fish” (“sosowowon”) crafted by a father and son team of Indigenous Taiwanese artists.

 

The amazing piece of artwork heralds from the Tao Indigenous peoples on Orchid Island (Pongso no Tao) – the only marine ethnic group of Taiwan. The flying fish is an important symbol of the Tao indigenous peoples. “The first catch in the open season will only be shared by family members of the fishermen.  All of the family members shall eat the first catch”.

 

Their delegation consisted of:

1. Attorney Mr. Wei-Shyang Chen, Secretary-General, Legal Aid Foundation, Taiwan

2. Mr. Chih-Wei, Tsai, Board Member, Legal Aid Foundation, Taiwan

3. Attorney Ms. Tsai-Yi Chen, Executive Secretary, Taitung Branch, Legal Aid Foundation, Taiwan

4. Mr. Te-Yen Chou, Deputy- Director, Department of Legal Affairs, Legal Aid Foundation, Taiwan

5. Ms. Si-Wei Huang, Deputy- Director, Department of Business & Management, Legal Aid Foundation, Taiwan

6.Ms. Yu-Shan Chang, PHD Candidate, University College, London (translator)

ATSILS Supports A Human Rights Act for Queensland
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ATSILS Supports A Human Rights Act for Queensland

ATSILS CEO ImageThe Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service (QLD) Ltd supports the campaign calling for the introduction of a Human Rights Act for Queensland. Without an Upper House in Queensland a Bill of Rights could act as a vital safety net to prevent human rights breaches and  to ensure the government considers, justifies and reports on the human rights implications of their actions.

ATSILS CEO Shane Duffy spoke to The Guardian Australian about the importance of a Bill of Rights for Queensland and the significance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

“What it does is provide an opportunity to put a litmus test over any proposed bill that comes before parliament that disproportionately or adversely impacts on Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people,” he told Guardian Australia.

Mr Duffy pointed to changes by the former Newman government to juvenile justice legislation, removal of detention as a punishment of last resort, and bail laws, as examples of such laws. He said a human rights act would need to be one with “a little bit of bite”.

Now that the Labor Party has confirmed its commitment to the introduction of a Human Rights Act the time is right to work together to convince the Queensland Government to Act Now!

View full article:

 

Support the campaign for a Human Rights Act for Queensland
https://www.facebook.com/humanrights4qld

Instragram @humanrights4qld

‪#‎humanrights4qld‬

Strengthening Family Law Partnerships in North Queensland
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Strengthening Family Law Partnerships in North Queensland

Congratulations to Juergen Kaehne who was recently elected as Co-Chair of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Family Law Pathways Network in North Queensland.

Juergen is one of ATSILS specialist Family Law Solicitors based in Cairns and he has been a valued member of our legal team for over 6 years.

As Co-Chair of the network Juergen will be working with key providers in the Family Law system, including the Federal Circuit Court, to build stronger relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander legal services and other community agencies servicing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and people.

Commenting on his appointment Juergen said “The Federal Circuit Court judge in Cairns is a strong supporter of enhanced representation for Indigenous people, and I am privileged to Co-Chair the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Family Law Pathways Network.”

“I love practicing family law because the legal process is such that it helps to provide a better future for children; who are, after all, innocent parties in parental disputes.”

Juergen’s appointment is testament to his strong commitment to the delivery of innovative, highly professional legal services to ensure better outcomes for clients.

The Network is being piloted in the North Queensland region including Cape York and the Torres Strait before being rolled out across the state on a progressive basis.

 

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More information on ATSILS Family Law Practice

Need legal assistance with Family Law matters? Contact us