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

 

 

MEDIA RELEASE: Together We Can Put an End to Domestic and Family Violence in Queensland

Date: Wednesday, 19th August 2015

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service (QLD) Ltd (ATSILS) welcomes the announcement by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk that the Queensland Government will implement all 140 recommendations in the landmark report Not Now, Not Ever: Putting an End to Domestic and Family Violence in Queensland.

 
ATSILS Chief Executive Officer Shane Duffy said, “The rate in which Queenslanders are experiencing domestic and family violence is unacceptable and we welcome the government’s strong response to this significant human rights issue.”

 
The report states that the number of domestic violence incidents reported to Queensland Police rose from 58,000 in 2011-12 to 66,000 in 2013-14. This equates to more than 180 incidents every day, an alarming indication of the scope the problem we face. For marginalised groups within the community such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, the statistics are even more devastating.

 
Mr Duffy said “Within the communities we service the issue of domestic and family violence is exceedingly critical. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are 34 times more likely to be hospitalised as a result of violence and are 15 times more likely to seek support from homelessness services.”

 
Past trauma is a core driver of violence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and for other situational factors that contribute to violence and crime, including poverty, unemployment, drug and alcohol use, and poor health.

 
“Long term, the rates of domestic and family violence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities cannot be curtailed unless we see more investment in resources and strategies that address the underlying drivers of crime and violence” Mr Duffy said.

 
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people need better access to housing, education, health and social services in order to overcome disadvantage. During the refinement phase of the draft Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Strategy, ATSILS welcomes the opportunity to provide input and engage with the government in designing long term solutions to the crisis. Solutions based on intervention, prevention and diversion strategies which form the basis of a justice reinvestment approach ATSILS has been advocating for.

 
This approach will facilitate the development of smarter, evidence-based and more cost-effective solutions that, increase safety, address the root causes of violence against women and children, cut reoffending and imprisonment rates, and ultimately build stronger communities.

 
A strong coordinated approach inclusive of all sections of the community is required and ATSILS is committed to working together with the government and all Queenslanders to drive cultural change and end the violence.

 

 

View Full Media Release

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…

New Strathpine Office Location – as of 13th August 2015

As of the 13/08/2015 our Strathpine office will be relocating to:

Shop 6a, 424 Gympie Road, Strathpine 4500 (PO Box 2064)

During the transition our phones, fax and email system may be down until Friday 14/08 an possible Monday 17/08.
If you are having trouble getting through during this time please contact the Brisbane Head office on: (07) 3025 3888

Full contact details for the new Strathpine location are listed below.

STRATHPINE
Services Provided: Criminal and Family Law (Civil Law referred to our Brisbane office)
Address: Shop 6a, 424 Gympie Road, Strathpine 4500 (PO Box 2064)
Phone: (07) 3205 1253
Fax:
 (07) 3205 1250
*If you require mobility or pram access at this location please call ahead to make arrangements.
Where we have no wheelchair access available we may be able to meet you in a better place, if you give us enough time.

Please note
*Our Strathpine office can be discreetly accessed via the rear carpark and Railway Avenue (not the Gympie road shopfronts.) It is 220m from the Pine Rivers Court House.
**Closest Railway Station: Bray Park

 

 

 

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/

 

MEDIA RELEASE: Putting ‘Smarts’ back into the Queensland Justice System

ATSILS welcomes the confirmation of $32.3 million in funding for the reinstatement of the Murri court, Special Circumstances court and Drug court and the $11.8 million allocated to Prisoner Reintegration Programs.

Shane Duffy, Chief Executive Officer of ATSILS said, “In the current 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.”

“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. “

Read Full Media Release:
https://atsils.org.au/…/mediarelease_ATSILS_StateBudget_…

ATSILS Media Releases Page:
https://atsils.org.au/news/media-release/

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

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

JOB VACANCIES: 2 great positions drew strong responses

1.  BRISBANE: Director: Sector Engagement and Communications – Statewide – full time, vacancy #0230815 – closed Friday 24th July 2015

2.  BRISBANE  – Information and Communications Systems Administrator – Statewide –  full time, prompt start – vacancy #0390815 – closed Monday 27th July 2015, at 1pm.

https://atsils.org.au/job-vacancies/

Job Vacancy

 

Happy NAIDOC 2015: We all Stand on Sacred Ground – Learn, Respect & Celebrate

Happy ‪#‎NAIDOCWeek2015‬ everyone, we hope you have been enjoying the week so far across the many First Nations in the Country. It’s an important time to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and our staff are out and about this week participating in many amazing activities and showing support for their local communities.

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In Brisbane & Cairns we are gearing up for a great day of celebrations this Friday. Our show bags are packed full of goodies and great information so come by, say hi and grab one 

In Brisbane we will have a stall at the Musgrave Park Family Fun Day.

In Cairns the team will be taking part in the NAIDOC March – Be Loud, Be Proud, and will also have a stall with giveaways.

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NAIDOC Week – A brief History


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Further Information

NAIDOC Website
http://www.naidoc.org.au/

NAIDOC History
http://www.naidoc.org.au/about/naidoc-history

NAIDOC Events Calendar
http://www.naidoc.org.au/events-calendar