Date: Wednesday, 3rd June 2015
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service (ATSILS) is calling on the Palaszczuk Government to show leadership and champion change by adopting a justice reinvestment approach to address the state’s incarceration crisis. The call comes in the wake of Queensland Corrective Services (QCS) figures that reveal more people in Queensland are living behind bars than ever before.
Shane Duffy, Chief Executive Officer of ATSILS, said “we would welcome an opportunity to engage with the government to discuss long term solutions to the crisis based on intervention, prevention and diversion strategies which form the basis of a Justice Reinvestment approach.”
The QCS figures show a 20% surge in the state’s prison numbers in just two years, and confirms the state’s prison population is the highest on record at more than 7200. All 12 of the state’s high security facilities are currently operating at beyond capacity and serious overcrowding has seen a doubling in the rate of reported assaults.
A considerable factor in the crisis is the gross over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Queensland prisons. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people currently make up less than 4% of the state’s population, however account for nearly a third of the state’s inmates. Various governments tough on crime policies have disproportionately affected the most disadvantaged in the community and have put a strain on our prison system at great public expense.
With such high Indigenous representation in the crisis, ATSILS urges the government to work in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, communities, services and their representatives, to develop and implement justice reinvestment solutions.
Mr Duffy said “coming from a deficit position the government can no longer invest in costly, unsustainable prison infrastructure at the expense of affordable housing, education, mental health and social services that are vital to the fabric of thriving safe communities.”
Justice reinvestment is an approach that has had success in the USA and fundamental to the approach is investment in community services that tackle the underlying root causes of crime. Justice reinvestment makes a very strong economic argument to better utilise tax payer funds. Currently there is a pilot scheme happening in Bourke, NSW and ATSILS hope to see the Justice Reinvestment approach adopted in communities across Queensland.
The current crisis presents a great opportunity for the new government to charter a course of innovative change and localise justice reinvestment approaches specific to the challenges we face in Queensland.
Media Contact: Joshua Herd – 0439 561 775 or joshua.herd@atsils.org.au
Downlaod/Print Media Release [PDF]
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/
MEDIA RELEASE: Smarter justice needed in the former ‘Smart State’
Date: Wednesday, 3rd June 2015
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service (ATSILS) is calling on the Palaszczuk Government to show leadership and champion change by adopting a justice reinvestment approach to address the state’s incarceration crisis. The call comes in the wake of Queensland Corrective Services (QCS) figures that reveal more people in Queensland are living behind bars than ever before.
Shane Duffy, Chief Executive Officer of ATSILS, said “we would welcome an opportunity to engage with the government to discuss long term solutions to the crisis based on intervention, prevention and diversion strategies which form the basis of a Justice Reinvestment approach.”
The QCS figures show a 20% surge in the state’s prison numbers in just two years, and confirms the state’s prison population is the highest on record at more than 7200. All 12 of the state’s high security facilities are currently operating at beyond capacity and serious overcrowding has seen a doubling in the rate of reported assaults.
A considerable factor in the crisis is the gross over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Queensland prisons. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people currently make up less than 4% of the state’s population, however account for nearly a third of the state’s inmates. Various governments tough on crime policies have disproportionately affected the most disadvantaged in the community and have put a strain on our prison system at great public expense.
With such high Indigenous representation in the crisis, ATSILS urges the government to work in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, communities, services and their representatives, to develop and implement justice reinvestment solutions.
Mr Duffy said “coming from a deficit position the government can no longer invest in costly, unsustainable prison infrastructure at the expense of affordable housing, education, mental health and social services that are vital to the fabric of thriving safe communities.”
Justice reinvestment is an approach that has had success in the USA and fundamental to the approach is investment in community services that tackle the underlying root causes of crime. Justice reinvestment makes a very strong economic argument to better utilise tax payer funds. Currently there is a pilot scheme happening in Bourke, NSW and ATSILS hope to see the Justice Reinvestment approach adopted in communities across Queensland.
The current crisis presents a great opportunity for the new government to charter a course of innovative change and localise justice reinvestment approaches specific to the challenges we face in Queensland.
Media Contact: Joshua Herd – 0439 561 775 or joshua.herd@atsils.org.au
Downlaod/Print Media Release [PDF]
JOB VACANCIES – We have 6 positions available in 5 locations across the state – Brisbane – Charleville – Ipswich – Murgon – Townsville
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service (QLD) Ltd is seeking candidates for 5 new positions in our Brisbane, Charleville, Murgon and Townsville offices.
Build a career in a legal environment & strengthen your actions in social justice for our people.
View our Job Vacancies page for more information including position descriptions and details on how to apply.
1. COURT SUPPORT OFFICER – Murgon – full-time, applications close Wednesday 3rd June 2015 at 1pm to careers@atsils.org.au
Identified role – must be Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander candidate – we claim exemption under the Queensland Anti-Discrimination Act, section 104. You must also have a keen interest in law clerk and court duties, current Driver Licence and meet other criteria. Please see the position description for selection criteria.PositionDescription_CourtSupportOfficer_Regional_Remote_022_0515
2. LEGAL PRACTITIONER – Townsville – full-time, applications close Monday 9th June 2015 at 1pm to careers@atsils.org.au
You must a current Driver Licence and meet other criteria. Please see the position description for selection criteria.PositionDescription_LegalPractitioner_CriminalLaw_009_0515
3. LEGAL PRACTITIONER – Charleville – full-time, applications close Monday 9th June 2015 at 1pm to careers@atsils.org.au
You must a current Driver Licence and meet other criteria. Please see the position description for selection criteria.PositionDescription_LegalPractitioner_CriminalLaw_009_0515
4. LEGAL PRACTITIONER – Ipswich– full-time, applications close Wednesday 10th June 2015 at 1pm to careers@atsils.org.au
This is a newly funded role. Please see the position description for selection criteria. PositionDescription_LegalPractitioner_CriminalLaw_009_0515
5. ADMINISTRATION ASSISTANT (Finance & Personnel) – Brisbane head office – part-time, (Wednesday, Thursday & Friday all day). Applications close Tuesday 9th June 2015 at 1pm to careers@atsils.org.au
Minimum Certificate III in Business Administration qualification or five years in a business or accounting environment. Please see the position description for selection criteria.PositionDescription_AdminAssistFinancePersonnel_041_0615_ATSILS
6. CLIENT SERVICES CO-ORDINATOR (Reception & Administration)– Brisbane head office – full-time. Applications close Tuesday 9th June 2015 at 1pm to careers@atsils.org.au
Minimum Certificate III in Business Administration qualification and at least two (2) years experience in professional services. Please see the position description for selection criteria. PositionDescription_ClientServicesCoordinator_033_0615_ATSILS. Please note that this role is not open to trainees or those without experience and qualifications.
View our Job Vacancies page for more information including position descriptions and details on how to apply.
JOB VACANCIES : 6 new positions currently available. Brisbane – Cairns – Murgon – Charleville – Townsville
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service (QLD) Ltd currently has 6 exciting positions available in our Brisbane, Cairns, Murgon and Cairns offices.
Build a career in a legal environment & strengthen your actions in social justice for our people.
1. COURT SUPPORT OFFICER – Brisbane – full-time, applications close Thursday 28th May 2015 at 1pm
Identified role – must be Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander candidate – we claim exemption under the Queensland Anti-Discrimination Act, section 104.
2. PRISONER THROUGHCARE OFFICER – Townsville – Female Clients – full-time, applications close Thursday 28th May 2015 at 1pm
Women candidates only – we claim exemption under the Queensland Anti-Discrimination Act, section 104. You must have a current Driver Licence and meet other criteria.
3. CLIENT SERVICES CO-ORDINATOR – Cairns – full-time, applications close Wednesday 27th May 2015 at 1pm
Two (2) years reception or similar client contact experience and a Business Certificate III or equivalent is essential. Sorry – no trainees please.
4. COURT SUPPORT OFFICER – Murgon – full-time, applications close Wednesday 3rd June 2015 at 1pm
Identified role – must be Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander candidate – we claim exemption under the Queensland Anti-Discrimination Act, section 104.
5. LEGAL PRACTITIONER – Charleville – full-time, applications close Monday 8th June 2015 at 1pm
Two (2) years post-admission experience in Criminal Law ideal.
6. LEGAL PRACTITIONER – Townsville – full-time, applications close Monday 8th June 2015 at 1pm
Two (2) years post-admission experience in Criminal Law ideal.
View our Job Vacancies page for more information including position descriptions and details on how to apply.
EVENTS: Continuing Professional Development Calendar 2015/2016
View our updated Continuing Professional Development page for the latest CPD Events Calendar for April 2015 to March 2016.
MEDIA RELEASE – NATSILS Funding Secured
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
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-05-06/indigenous-legal-services-organisation-to-have-funding-restored/6448148
First Nations Telegraph
A NEW CAMPAIGN tackling the national crisis of Indigenous imprisonment rates launches today.
‘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
JOB VACANCY: Court Support Officer – Mt Isa
ATSILS currently has 1 Job Vacancy available.
1. COURT SUPPORT OFFICER – Mt Isa – full-time, applications close Wednesday 6th May 2015
Court Support Officer – must be Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander candidate with keen interest in law clerk and court duties, current Driver Licence and other criteria. This role involves being on-call after-hours in a shared roster. Please see the position description for selection criteria. ATSILS_PD_2014_Court_Support_Officer_022
Application Forms and Further essential Information
ATSILS Recruitment Application Form
– Please use this six page Microsoft Word Document. Enter your details onto this form, save and send back to us with your Resume (ideally no more than 4 pages of Resume/CV). No Application Form completed = No Interview
Attach it to an email and send to careers@atsils.org.au
For further information please visit our Job Vacancy Page
CUTS TO LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO BE REVERSED! – Great relief for the most vulnerable in our community!
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