The Change the Record Coalition today welcomed a renewed discussion on reducing imprisonment for fine default, but called for all parties to rethink their proposed policy approach.
The Australian Labor Party yesterday released a policy proposal aimed at reducing imprisonment due to fine default through reform of the fine recovery process. The ALP policy proposes that the States and Territories are able to use the tax and social security system to recover unpaid fines through a Fine Enforcement Collection Scheme. This is similar to models that have previously been proposed by the Federal Coalition and WA Governments.
CTR Co-Chair Antoinette Braybrook said, “We are supportive of the principle of reforming the fine recovery process to reduce the unnecessary incarceration of our peoples – but we need to know more detail.”
“Our communities are more likely to experience disadvantage as a result of a number of factors including intergenerational trauma, family violence, homelessness, unemployment, disability, mental health issues or substance addiction”.
“We have significant concerns about the social security system being used to compulsorily enforce payment of fines by these vulnerable people” said Ms Braybrook.
The current ALP proposal does not outline how it will accommodate disadvantaged people who need assistance and support to address the underlying factors that have resulted in the inability to pay the fine.
Fellow Co-Chair Shane Duffy said, “To avoid pushing vulnerable people further into poverty, we recommend all parties commit to work with the States and Territories to implement Work and Development Order schemes, modelled on the effective NSW approach. Fine recovery schemes should as be used as a matter of last resort.”
“All parties should also undertake significant consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community controlled organisations and the legal sector, to ensure unanticipated negative consequences are avoided, such as disproportionate impacts on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other marginalised groups.”
“We call on all parties to commit to abolish fine-default imprisonment as soon as possible, and adopt policy approaches that will support, rather than punish, our most vulnerable people.”
“We stand ready to work in partnership with government to develop appropriate and effective reform options” said Mr Duffy.
The Change the Record Coalition recommends all governments:
- Commit to abolish fine-default imprisonment as soon as possible;
- Introduce Work and Development order schemes, modelled on the effective NSW approach;
- Ensure the adequate provision of gender and culturally relevant early intervention and diversion programs, to address the current over-imprisonment of Aboriginal women and girls;
- Establish a legislative presumption against arresting victims of domestic violence at time of police intervention for outstanding unrelated charges, such as fine default; and
- Retract any plans to introduce a compulsory scheme whereby outstanding fines may be deducted from social security payments because such a scheme will further seriously disadvantage vulnerable Aboriginal people
View Media Release: https://changetherecord.org.au/blog/news/call-for-rethink-on-finedefault-reforms
Need Legal Assistance? Hear from the team about the best way to make contact and the variety of services we provide.
Our dedicated team have helped put together a series of short videos to give you better insight into ATSILS & the legal services we provide.
Need Legal Assistance? Call ATSILS 24/7 Free Call Hotline – 1800 012 255
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service provides innovative, professional and culturally competent legal services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across Queensland.
NEW – Murri Court Website Launched. Great resources available for defendants, stakeholders & the public.
The webpage features information on how the Murri Court process works along with information on the history of the court. Intended for use by stakeholders, Community Justice Groups, defendants, and the general public, the Murri Court webpage is the first of the Courts Innovation Program’s webpages to be revamped as DJAG continue our effort to keep our programs accessible to the community.
The webpage now provides links to a variety of documents including:
· Murri Court forms and templates including payment claim forms
· Murri Court brochure, poster, and factsheets
· Murri Court videos
· Murri Court practice direction and important legislation
· Murri Court feedback report
· Murri Court evaluation report
The Murri Court Website can be found here:
http://www.courts.qld.gov.au/courts/courts-innovation-programs/murri-court
What is Murri Court?
MEDIA RELEASE: Senate Inquiry Report provides critical recommendations to improve justice outcomes for First Peoples
The Change the Record (CTR) Coalition has today welcomed the release of a major report by the Senate Finance and Public Administration Reference Committee into ‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander experience of law enforcement and justice services’. This report makes a number of critical recommendations aimed at improving justice outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, including adequate support for legal assistance services.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are currently 13 times more likely to be imprisoned than non-Indigenous Australians. At the same time Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are 34 times more likely to be hospitalised due to family violence than non-Indigenous women. These issues are compounded by a number of significant barriers to accessing legal assistance services and the lack of a holistic, coordinated whole-of-government approach aimed at addressing the underlying drivers of imprisonment and violence rates.
View Full Media Release
OUR STAFF: A big congratulations to Tim and Trevor from our Maroochydore office
Our great team at the Maroochydore Office deliver Family, Civil and Criminal law services in the Sunshine Coast and Caboolture area and work hard to ensure the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community have better access to quality legal services in the region.
NAIDOC 2016 – Gold Coast Titans Family Fun Day
Respect for Lore, Law & the road to deadly futures today at the Gold Coast Family Fun Day on the traditional lands of the Kombumerri people.
A great day had by our Gold Coast team who joined other Indigenous service providers connecting with community and celebrating rich and diverse Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and achievements of the region.
#NAIDOC2016 Yugambeh Country – Respect 🙂
NAIDOC 2016 – Cherbourg Community Open Day
Today Michaela, Christy & David from ATSILS Murgon office joined in festivities at the Cherbourg NAIDOC Community Open Day. Rain couldn’t dampen spirits & celebration of strong continuing culture with a large turnout at the The Ration Shed Museum.
The crowd enjoyed camp fire oven feeds, hand painting and boomerang painting for the kids. There were range of stalls and deadly performances by traditional Wakka Wakka dancers.
It was a great day out with the local Cherbourg Aboriginal Community and broader community, celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, cultures and achievement on the traditional lands of the Wakka Wakka people.
NAIDOC 2016 – Toowoomba Community Day
NAIDOC Toowoomba
Yesterday staff from our Toowoomba office enjoyed a great day out at the local NAIDOC Community Day. Kevin, Deb, Tia and Chelsea did a fantastic job running the ATSILS Stall and gave away plenty of goodies and great info packs aimed at helping locals better understand their legal rights, ATSILS range of legal services available and how to get help when needed.
It was a great opportunity to engage with the future on Giabal land, helping our youth better understand which way with regards to their legal rights.
NAIDOC 2016: Songlines – The living narrative of our nation
Happy NAIDOC 2016
A fantastic week ahead celebrating the rich and diverse history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities across the nation.
This year’s theme, Songlines – The living narrative of our nation.
Once again the ATSILS team will be out and about at various events across the state this NAIDOC Week engaging with community and celebrating the rich and diverse culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across this great state. Keep and eye out for the team and our giveaways at various Marches, Family Fun Days and Deadly Day Out’s.
Check out the #NAIDOC2016 events happening in your area here:http://www.naidoc.org.au/events-calendar
Have a deadly week 🙂
NAIDOC 2016 – ATSILS Sunshine Coast team help raise the flag in Caboolture
A fantastic kick off to NAIDOC celebrations last Friday on the traditional lands of the Gubbi Gubbi/Kabi Kabi people.
The team from our Maroochydore office joined local elders and community for a flag raising ceremony at Caboolture Town Square as part of the 2016 Moreton Bay Regional Council NAIDOC Week festivities.
ATSILS had an information stall at the event and staff enjoyed the opportunity to mingled with local community..
A moving Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony included traditional dance by the Gubbi Gubbi Dance Troup, as well as stories & song in line with this years theme of Song Lines – the living narrative of our nation.
Media Release: Call for rethink on fine-default reforms
The Change the Record Coalition today welcomed a renewed discussion on reducing imprisonment for fine default, but called for all parties to rethink their proposed policy approach.
The Australian Labor Party yesterday released a policy proposal aimed at reducing imprisonment due to fine default through reform of the fine recovery process. The ALP policy proposes that the States and Territories are able to use the tax and social security system to recover unpaid fines through a Fine Enforcement Collection Scheme. This is similar to models that have previously been proposed by the Federal Coalition and WA Governments.
CTR Co-Chair Antoinette Braybrook said, “We are supportive of the principle of reforming the fine recovery process to reduce the unnecessary incarceration of our peoples – but we need to know more detail.”
“Our communities are more likely to experience disadvantage as a result of a number of factors including intergenerational trauma, family violence, homelessness, unemployment, disability, mental health issues or substance addiction”.
“We have significant concerns about the social security system being used to compulsorily enforce payment of fines by these vulnerable people” said Ms Braybrook.
The current ALP proposal does not outline how it will accommodate disadvantaged people who need assistance and support to address the underlying factors that have resulted in the inability to pay the fine.
Fellow Co-Chair Shane Duffy said, “To avoid pushing vulnerable people further into poverty, we recommend all parties commit to work with the States and Territories to implement Work and Development Order schemes, modelled on the effective NSW approach. Fine recovery schemes should as be used as a matter of last resort.”
“All parties should also undertake significant consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community controlled organisations and the legal sector, to ensure unanticipated negative consequences are avoided, such as disproportionate impacts on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other marginalised groups.”
“We call on all parties to commit to abolish fine-default imprisonment as soon as possible, and adopt policy approaches that will support, rather than punish, our most vulnerable people.”
“We stand ready to work in partnership with government to develop appropriate and effective reform options” said Mr Duffy.
The Change the Record Coalition recommends all governments:
View Media Release: https://changetherecord.org.au/blog/news/call-for-rethink-on-finedefault-reforms