ATSILS Corporate Plan 2015-2017
On behalf of my Board of Directors and staff, I am pleased to present our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services 2015–2017 Corporate Plan. This Plan is integral in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service (QLD) Ltd (“ATSILS”) continuing to set the standard in terms of the delivery of quality legal services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples throughout Queensland.
My Directors and I are particularly proud of the achievements of senior management and staff and their tireless efforts. As the Chairperson and on behalf of our entire Board, we will continue to embrace ethical, accountable, transparent, decision-making systems, policies, practices and procedures which are crucial to our longer term strategies.
ATSILS will continue to deliver services in accordance with the Australian Government’s Indigenous Legal Assistance Program. Reflective we believe of the confidence vested in us and other stakeholders, it is very pleasing to report that our funding cycle with the Commonwealth’s Attorney-General’s Department has gone from a three-year funding cycle to a five-year funding cycle.
Such is also a great assistance when it comes to forward-planning – one of the touchstones of this, our Corporate Plan. I take this opportunity on behalf of all at ATSILS to thank the Attorney-General and his Department in this regard. Further, in relation to our Prisoner Throughcare Program initiatives – justice reinvestment in action – we thank the Office of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet for its crucial funding support as well.
I also acknowledge the importance and significance of our collaborative arrangements with other key stakeholders in the justice system – acknowledging in particular, assistance provided to us by the Queensland Legal Aid Commission in terms of assisting our organisation with the very high costs associated with delivering crucial services in our State’s most remote regions.
ATSILS will continue to lead by example. My Directors combine extensive cultural and business knowledge with excellent leadership skills and a deep respect for lore and culture. While our challenges are complex and often difficult, we remain focused on producing ground-breaking results that change our peoples’ lives for the better.
I also encourage our communities as well as our key government and non-government partners to embrace this Plan and actively contribute toward its successful implementation.
If you would like to access an electronic version please click here > ATSILS Corporate Plan 2015 – 2017.
Kind Regards,
Ken Georgetown
CHAIRPERSON
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service (QLD) Ltd.
ATSILS currently have a range of job opportunities available for suitably experienced Legal Practitioners across Civil, Family and Criminal Law jurisdictions throughout the state.
To view our current vacancy list click here
We employ nearly 200 staff in 25 offices located throughout Queensland. As one of Queensland’s largest Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employers, we provide a culturally rich workplace within a social justice framework. We also offer attractive employment conditions, including:
Job Vacancies
MEDIA RELEASE: ‘Justice targets critical to ‘Closing the Gap’
Change the Record Coalition (CTR)
Change the Record Coalition Co-Chair Shane Duffy said, “These statistics are a sad indictment on our nation. The over-representation of our peoples in the criminal justice system, and high rates of violence being experienced, is both cause and effect for the poor state of health, education and employment outcomes of so many of our families and communities”.
“It is long past time for measurable justice targets to be adopted as part of the COAG Closing the Gap Strategy, and we welcome this renewed call for action from the Close the Gap Campaign. The safer communities ‘building block’ remains the only area without targets attached” said Mr Duffy.
https://changetherecord.org.au/blog/news/justice-targets-critical-to-close-the-gap
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
ATSILS Corporate Plan 2015 -2017
ATSILS Corporate Plan 2015-2017
On behalf of my Board of Directors and staff, I am pleased to present our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services 2015–2017 Corporate Plan. This Plan is integral in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service (QLD) Ltd (“ATSILS”) continuing to set the standard in terms of the delivery of quality legal services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples throughout Queensland.
My Directors and I are particularly proud of the achievements of senior management and staff and their tireless efforts. As the Chairperson and on behalf of our entire Board, we will continue to embrace ethical, accountable, transparent, decision-making systems, policies, practices and procedures which are crucial to our longer term strategies.
ATSILS will continue to deliver services in accordance with the Australian Government’s Indigenous Legal Assistance Program. Reflective we believe of the confidence vested in us and other stakeholders, it is very pleasing to report that our funding cycle with the Commonwealth’s Attorney-General’s Department has gone from a three-year funding cycle to a five-year funding cycle.
Such is also a great assistance when it comes to forward-planning – one of the touchstones of this, our Corporate Plan. I take this opportunity on behalf of all at ATSILS to thank the Attorney-General and his Department in this regard. Further, in relation to our Prisoner Throughcare Program initiatives – justice reinvestment in action – we thank the Office of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet for its crucial funding support as well.
I also acknowledge the importance and significance of our collaborative arrangements with other key stakeholders in the justice system – acknowledging in particular, assistance provided to us by the Queensland Legal Aid Commission in terms of assisting our organisation with the very high costs associated with delivering crucial services in our State’s most remote regions.
ATSILS will continue to lead by example. My Directors combine extensive cultural and business knowledge with excellent leadership skills and a deep respect for lore and culture. While our challenges are complex and often difficult, we remain focused on producing ground-breaking results that change our peoples’ lives for the better.
I also encourage our communities as well as our key government and non-government partners to embrace this Plan and actively contribute toward its successful implementation.
If you would like to access an electronic version please click here > ATSILS Corporate Plan 2015 – 2017.
Kind Regards,
Ken Georgetown
CHAIRPERSON
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service (QLD) Ltd.
It’s time for a smarter safer approach – Justice Reinvestment: PJ’s Story
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people comprise only 3 per cent of the Australian population, but make up 28 per cent of the total prison population and are imprisoned at a rate 14 times higher than other Australians. They are also much more likely to be victims of crime.
Justice Reinvestment is a circuit-breaker. It is data driven, fiscally sound and empowers communities to address the underlying causes of crime.
PJ’s story highlights the cost of locking people up and the power of community to provide alternative pathways.
Together we must convince government to set targets to reduce incarceration and to support the implementation of justice reinvestment in Australia.
Take Action
https://antar.org.au/campaigns/justice-campaign…
It’s time for a smarter safer approach – Justice Reinvestment – Trisha’s Story
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people comprise only 3 per cent of the Australian population, but make up 28 per cent of the total prison population and are imprisoned at a rate 14 times higher than other Australians. They are also much more likely to be victims of crime.
Justice Reinvestment is a circuit-breaker. It is data driven, fiscally sound and empowers communities to addresses the underlying causes of crime.
Trisha’s story is one of success and highlights the need for Justice Reinvestment.
Together we must convince government to set targets to reduce incarceration and to support the implementation of justice reinvestment in Australia.
Take Action Here:
https://antar.org.au/campaigns/justice-campaign…
It’s time for a new approach to Justice – Dale’s Story
It’s time for a new approach to Justice – Dale’s Story
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people comprise only 3 per cent of the Australian population, but make up around 28 per cent of the total prison population and are imprisoned at a rate 14 times higher than other Australians. They are also much more likely to be victims of crime.
Justice Reinvestment is a circuit-breaker. It is data driven, fiscally sound and empowers communities to address the underlying causes of crime.
Dale’s story highlights the cost of locking people up and the power of community to provide alternative pathways.
Together we must convince government to set targets to reduce incarceration and to support the implementation of justice reinvestment in Australia.
Take Action:
https://antar.org.au/campaigns/justice-campaign…
Stand With Indigenous Kids in Australia – Amnesty International
Make sure that the over-representation of Indigenous kids behind bars is high on their agenda > http://amn.st/6186Bu97n
For kids, community is everything. It’s kids’ connections with family and community that lets them flourish, and sets them up for life. Belonging matters and communities provide it.
But our government is separating Indigenous kids from their communities. Kids as young as 10 are being locked up, all across Australia.
If you’re an Indigenous kid, you are 24 times more likely to be locked up than your non-Indigenous classmates.
Fortunately, Indigenous people have the solutions — community-led programs that support kids, and if they get in trouble, help them address the reasons why. Now we need our government to support these solutions too.
http://amn.st/6186Bu97n
#CommunityIsEverything #ChangeTheRecord #Indigenous
It’s time for a new approach – Social Justice Commissioner Mick Gooda explains Justice Reinvestment
Social Justice Commissioner Mick Gooda explains what Justice Reinvestment is and why it’s a positive solution in addressing the over incarceration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
MEDIA RELEASE: NATSILS welcomes Labor commitment to closing the justice gap
Today National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (NATSILS), the national peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (ATSILS) has welcomed Labor’s commitment to addressing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander imprisonment rates and experiences of violence.
In a speech delivered at the University of Melbourne Law School, Labor Leader Mr Shorten, vowed to put an end to the “grievous national shame” of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander imprisonment and experiences of violence. The speech included a number of specific commitments including establishing justice targets through the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) under a Labor government.
NATSILS Chairperson Shane Duffy said, “A commitment to targets for addressing the “justice gap” means that governments will be accountable for their performance in this area. We simply must work together in a co-ordinated way to address this critical issue.”
“As Chairperson of NATSILS we were particularly pleased to hear Mr Shorten commit to the appropriate resourcing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community controlled legal services, including ATSILS and Family Violence Prevention Legal Services (FVPLS). These legal services are crucial to ensuring that vulnerable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, particularly women and children escaping family violence, are able to receive access to justice, Mr Duffy said.
“We also welcome Mr Shorten’s acknowledgement of the role that disability plays in the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the criminal justice system. Recent research shows that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with mental illnesses and cognitive impairments experience a criminal, rather than a therapeutic response to their disabilities.”
“NATSILS will continue to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, organisations and all levels of government to address the crisis of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander imprisonment and experiences of violence. We call on the Australian public to join us in demanding vital change and ask that all levels of government work with us to address this critical issue.”
Media Release:
http://www.natsils.org.au/portals/natsils/NATSILS%20welcomes%20Labor%20commitment%20to%20closing%20the%20justice%20gap%20FINAL.pdf?ver=2015-11-19-131301-867