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

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

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
,

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
, ,

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
,

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 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.

map

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.

naidoc-3

 

 

NAIDOC Week – A brief History


 11222330_835577389845689_7662520121357774842_o

 

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

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

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/

NEWS: Assistance with Blue Card Applications

NEWS: Assistance with Blue Card Applications

Great work in Mt Isa, making a difference in remote communities.

A great story from our Mt Isa office on how a little Civil Law assistance went a long way to creating much needed care options for Aboriginal families in and around Normanton.

In September 2014, Solicitor Katie Elder from our Mt Isa office assisted a client in Normanton with various submissions for their Blue Card application. A Blue Card is a legal requirement for all people wanting to work with children and obtaining one would assist the client in becoming a foster carer.

The application was submitted in October 2014 and after a lengthy processing period, Katie received the great news that the client’s Blue Card had been granted. Delighted with the outcome Katie said “the highlight was not only my client’s happiness but the fact that there are now two families in Normanton who are full time carers and one of these is Indigenous.”

In a remote town like Normanton where kinship care options are limited, the flow on effect from such outcomes work to build community service capacity and make a positive difference to the lives of Aboriginal children and their families. In this case, it means some children entering care won’t have to be relocated to larger towns like Mt Isa (which 5 ½ hours away by road).

Overcoming the tyranny of distance means more kids are able to stay on country, enjoy more regular contact with family and maintain strong connections with culture.

Great work Katie and all the team in the ATSILS Mt Isa office.

Visit the Fact Sheets page on our website for more information:

https://atsils.org.au/fact-sheets/

If you require legal assistance phone ATSILS :
Free Call – 1800 012 255

STAFF ACHIEVEMENT: Congratulations Renee Taylor
, ,

STAFF ACHIEVEMENT: Congratulations Renee Taylor

This week the brilliant Renee Taylor from our Beenleigh office shared the fantastic news that she has been accepted into a LLB degree program.

After completing an Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal) last year, Renee is now shooting for the stars and will pursue a Bachelor of Laws.

We wish Renee all the very best with her future studies and the exciting career path ahead, wherever it may take her – from Legal Secretary, to Solicitor, to Barrister & beyond!

Mediation in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities
,

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/