View our updated Continuing Professional Development page for the latest CPD Events Calendar for April 2015 to March 2016.
The Federal Attorney-General’s Department yesterday announced it will reverse its decision and restored funding to NATSILS. As a member organisation we welcome the responsible step by the Government to restore funding to our national peak body. Given the country faces a national crisis with the rate of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people going to jail, it is crucial that NATSILS is in place and can operate with certainty in providing strategic advice to all levels of government.
NATSILS is a vital organisation in the legal assistance sector and brings together over forty years of expertise in providing quality frontline legal services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
NATSILS MEDIA RELEASE:
Read full Media Release here:
http://www.natsils.org.au/portals/natsils/Media%20Release%20-%20NATSILS%20funding%20secured%20FINAL.pdf
In the MEDIA:
ABC Radio
Listen to ATSILS CEO and NATSILS Chairman Shane Duffy Speak to ABC Radio’s AM Program about the last minute funding reprieve by the Federal Government.
http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2015/s4230373.htm
ABC Online
Budget 2015: Indigenous legal services peak body to receive $295,000 funding in last-minute reprieve
First Nations Telegraph
‘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
Attorney-General George Brandis has announced that $25.5 million of proposed cuts to frontline legal assistance services will not go ahead. This includes restoring funding of $11.5 million for Indigenous legal assistance over the next two years. This announcement provides much needed relief for the most vulnerable in our community and the restoration of funding provides a level of much needed certainty for organisations operating within the legal assistance sector.
ATSILS welcomes the responsible approach taken by the Federal Government to reverse the massive cuts which would have had dire impacts on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. We thank the Attorney General for listening to the widespread concerns expressed by the legal fraternity, community services sector and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
ATSILS pays tribute to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services around the nation and the vital work of our peak body NATSILS in bringing widespread attention to the serious social and economic consequences that would have resulted from the proposed cuts. The value of our highly specialized services has been advocated by many and we thank our committed staff, the broader legal fraternity and community services sector for their support throughout an extended period of uncertainty.
Whilst we celebrate the level of relief this news brings, were are ever mindful of the crisis rates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander imprisonment and family violence currently gripping the nation. There is plenty more critical work to be done to change culture and address these national crises. In face of this we join the national call for the Government to heed the Productivity Commission’s Access to Justice Arrangements report which called for a further $200m investment into the legal assistance sector, including the Family Violence Prevention Legal Services.
In the meantime we continue to get on with what we do best – providing innovative, professional and culturally competent legal services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across Queensland.
NATSILS MEDIA RELEASE: NATSILS welcomes the reversal of funding cuts
http://www.natsils.org.au/portals/natsils/26%20March%20NATSILS%20Reversal%20of%20Cuts.pdf
Attorney General’s MEDIA RELEASE: Legal aid funding assured to support the most vulnerable in our community
http://www.attorneygeneral.gov.au/…/26-March-2015-Legal-aid…
In the lead up to Attorney General Brandis’ announcement that proposed funding cuts to Indigenous legal services would be reversed, our national peak body NATSILS was among 26 leading Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, health, community and peak legal organisations to write an open letter to the PM to reverse funding cuts to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services.
See the Open Letter via NATSILS website:
http://www.natsils.org.au/portals/natsils/Open%20Letter%20to%20PM_25.03.14.pdf
Reducing recidivism & incarceration rates by supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners.
This week the ATSILS’ Prisoner Throughcare staff are meeting with staff from the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet and a team from Harvard University. The team from Harvard are conducting research into the effectiveness of Prisoner Throughcare services and will be visiting our Brisbane, Ipswich and Townsville offices.
Photo (L to R): Gregory Shadbolt (Principal Legal Officer – ATSILS), Gerald Warner (Senior Prisoner Throughcare Officer – ATSILS), Bec (Harvard University), Catherine Marks (Prime Minister & Cabinet) & Michael (Harvard University)
More information on ATSILS’ Prisoner Throughcare Program
Money Smart Video: Understanding Funeral Plans
More Information and Resources
View more ASIC Money Smart Resources written specifically for Aboriginal & Torres Islander people. 
ASIC Indigenous Help Line
A 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 Indigenous Help Line
Visit the Legal Aid Queensland – Flood and Cyclone Legal Help site for information and resources or call 1300 65 11 88
View our Continuing Professional Development page to view upcoming events in February and March 2015