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]
QLD STATE BUDGET: Youth Justice Conferencing Reinstated
More positive news for Queensland’s justice system with confirmation in the State budget that Youth Justice Conferencing will be reinstated.
If your child breaks the law and admits to the crime, police have the option to refer your child to a youth justive conference instead of sending them to court.
A youth justice conference is a meeting between a young offender who has committed a crime and the people affected by that crime. The process looks to ensure the offender acknowledges the impacts and consequences of crime for victims and the community. A conference provides an opportunity for everybody involved to be heard and allows all involved to be a part of the decision-making about how your child should make up for their crime.
The focus of youth justice conferencing is on repairing the harm caused by your child’s offending behaviour.
More information on Youth Justice Conferencing:
QLD STATE BUDGET: Murri Court & other diversionary programs reinstated
It is great to see the State Government honour its election commitment to reinstate courts such as the Murri Court and Special circumstances Court diversion programs.
The reinstatement of these successful diversionary programs is a feature of the Government’s boost to spending on the justice system in the 2015-16 State Budget.
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.
In a 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.
Read the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Yvette D’Ath’s media statement here:
http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2015/7/14/court-programs-to-address-crime-reinstated
JOB VACANCIES: 2 great positions drew strong responses
1. BRISBANE: Director: Sector Engagement and Communications – Statewide – full time, vacancy #0230815 – closed Friday 24th July 2015
2. BRISBANE – Information and Communications Systems Administrator – Statewide – full time, prompt start – vacancy #0390815 – closed Monday 27th July 2015, at 1pm.
https://atsils.org.au/job-vacancies/
Happy NAIDOC 2015: We all Stand on Sacred Ground – Learn, Respect & Celebrate
Happy #NAIDOCWeek2015 everyone, we hope you have been enjoying the week so far across the many First Nations in the Country. It’s an important time to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and our staff are out and about this week participating in many amazing activities and showing support for their local communities.
In Brisbane & Cairns we are gearing up for a great day of celebrations this Friday. Our show bags are packed full of goodies and great information so come by, say hi and grab one ☺
In Brisbane we will have a stall at the Musgrave Park Family Fun Day.
In Cairns the team will be taking part in the NAIDOC March – Be Loud, Be Proud, and will also have a stall with giveaways.
NAIDOC Week – A brief History
Further Information
NAIDOC Website
http://www.naidoc.org.au/
NAIDOC History
http://www.naidoc.org.au/about/naidoc-history
NAIDOC Events Calendar
http://www.naidoc.org.au/events-calendar
The Office of the Health Ombudsman – help with healthcare complaints.
Do you have a complaint about a health service provided to you, a family member, or someone in your care? Today our CEO Shane Duffy and Principal Legal Officer Greg Shadbolt met with representatives from The Office of the Health Ombudsman.
The Office of the Health Ombudsman is Queensland’s health service complaints agency. They are an independent statutory body and the one place all Queenslanders should go if they have a complaint about a health service provider or a health service provided to them, a family member or someone in their care.
For more information visit:
http://www.oho.qld.gov.au
Fact Sheets
How to make a health service complaint or lodge a notification against a health service provider.
http://www.oho.qld.gov.au/resources/fact-sheets/
NEWS: Assistance with Blue Card Applications
Great work in Mt Isa, making a difference in remote communities.
A great story from our Mt Isa office on how a little Civil Law assistance went a long way to creating much needed care options for Aboriginal families in and around Normanton.
In September 2014, Solicitor Katie Elder from our Mt Isa office assisted a client in Normanton with various submissions for their Blue Card application. A Blue Card is a legal requirement for all people wanting to work with children and obtaining one would assist the client in becoming a foster carer.
The application was submitted in October 2014 and after a lengthy processing period, Katie received the great news that the client’s Blue Card had been granted. Delighted with the outcome Katie said “the highlight was not only my client’s happiness but the fact that there are now two families in Normanton who are full time carers and one of these is Indigenous.”
In a remote town like Normanton where kinship care options are limited, the flow on effect from such outcomes work to build community service capacity and make a positive difference to the lives of Aboriginal children and their families. In this case, it means some children entering care won’t have to be relocated to larger towns like Mt Isa (which 5 ½ hours away by road).
Overcoming the tyranny of distance means more kids are able to stay on country, enjoy more regular contact with family and maintain strong connections with culture.
Great work Katie and all the team in the ATSILS Mt Isa office.
Visit the Fact Sheets page on our website for more information:
https://atsils.org.au/fact-sheets/
If you require legal assistance phone ATSILS :
Free Call – 1800 012 255
STAFF ACHIEVEMENT: Congratulations Renee Taylor
This week the brilliant Renee Taylor from our Beenleigh office shared the fantastic news that she has been accepted into a LLB degree program.
After completing an Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal) last year, Renee is now shooting for the stars and will pursue a Bachelor of Laws.
We wish Renee all the very best with her future studies and the exciting career path ahead, wherever it may take her – from Legal Secretary, to Solicitor, to Barrister & beyond!
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.