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
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples – Anniversary
The 13 of September marks the anniversary of the adoption by the United Nations of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples which affirms the minimum standards for the survival, dignity, security and well-being of Indigenous peoples worldwide and enshrines Indigenous peoples’ right to be different.
The Declaration was adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations in September 2007. This was the culmination of more than 20 years of negotiation between the Indigenous peoples and governments of the world. The Australian Government announced its support for the Declaration in 2009.
The Declaration is particularly significant because Indigenous peoples, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, were involved in its drafting.
“The Declaration is the most comprehensive tool we have available to advance and protect the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. I use the Declaration as my guide as Social Justice Commissioner. It is the foundation upon which my agenda has been built.”
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Mick Gooda
Check these great resources for the Declaration from the Australian Human Rights Commission:
https://declaration.humanrights.gov.au/
#HumanRights #Indigenous
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Awareness Day
No alcohol during pregnancy #FASDAwarenessDay
Today is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Awareness Day. The day puts a spotlight on the dangers of drinking alcohol during pregnancy and the plight of families and individuals living with FASD. FASD is a disorder caused by maternal consumption of alcohol prior to a child’s birth. This spectrum of disorders can leave affected individuals with wide ranging and varied behavioural and cognitive problems that often see them end up in the justice system rather than the health system.
FASD is a significant issue effecting many families in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. A recent House of Representatives Standing committee report says Indigenous children fall through cracks of education system and later land in prison as FASD is misdiagnosed or not treated.
The report recommended all governments work to adopt a justice reinvestment strategy in predominantly Indigenous communities as a more effective way to keep people out of prison and reduce inter-generational alcohol abuse.
View more:
http://www.theguardian.com/…/foetal-alcohol-syndrome-should…
Online FASD Resources:
For more information on FASD check out this web resource by the Australian Indigenous Alcohol and Other Drugs Knowledge Centre
http://www.aodknowledgecentre.net.au/aodkc/alcohol/fasd
For more information on FASD or FASD Awareness Day, please visit:
http://www.nofasd.org.au/get-involved/international-fasd-awareness-day
Change the Record:
Join the #ChangeTheRecord campaign to call on Governments to adopt justice reinvestment strategies that tackle the root causes of imprisonment –www.changetherecord.org.au/pledge
JOB VACANCIES: ATSILS is Hiring!
As at 7th September 2015 three new vacancies have been posted to our Job Vacancies page.
A further range of positions will be posted in the next 48 hours to include further Legal Practitioner and Para/Legal-Junior Legal Practitioner roles in Family & Civil Law in Brisbane, Maroochydore, Cairns, Toowoomba, and Charleville. To support these new roles, an additional administrative role will be created in Toowoomba. In Mackay another new role in all jurisdictions (Family, Civil and Criminal laws) will be advertised for someone with ideally two years post-admission experience. Our Cairns role is for an experienced practitioner with confidence to circuit to communities and provide a significant array of Family law services.
Visit our Job Vacancies page for all the details
ATSILS Supports A Human Rights Act for Queensland
ATSILS CEO Shane Duffy spoke to The Guardian Australian about the importance of a Bill of Rights for Queensland and the significance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
“What it does is provide an opportunity to put a litmus test over any proposed bill that comes before parliament that disproportionately or adversely impacts on Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people,” he told Guardian Australia.
Mr Duffy pointed to changes by the former Newman government to juvenile justice legislation, removal of detention as a punishment of last resort, and bail laws, as examples of such laws. He said a human rights act would need to be one with “a little bit of bite”.
Now that the Labor Party has confirmed its commitment to the introduction of a Human Rights Act the time is right to work together to convince the Queensland Government to Act Now!
View full article:
Support the campaign for a Human Rights Act for Queensland
https://www.facebook.com/humanrights4qld
Instragram @humanrights4qld
#humanrights4qld
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.
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
we may be able to meet you in a better place, if you give us enough time.
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
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/