Open letter: Cuts to legal services will have disastrous impact on ATSI Communities

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:

NatsilsLogo

 

 

 

pdf

http://www.natsils.org.au/portals/natsils/Open%20Letter%20to%20PM_25.03.14.pdf 

Prisoner Throughcare Program: aiming to reduce recidivism & incarceration rates

Reducing recidivism & incarceration rates by supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners.

This week the ATSILS’ Prisoner Throughcare staff  are meeting with staff from the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet and a team from Harvard University. The team from Harvard are conducting research into the effectiveness of Prisoner Throughcare services and will be visiting our Brisbane, Ipswich and Townsville offices.

Prisoner Throughcare Services

 Photo (L to R): Gregory Shadbolt (Principal Legal Officer – ATSILS), Gerald Warner (Senior Prisoner Throughcare Officer – ATSILS), Bec (Harvard University), Catherine Marks (Prime Minister & Cabinet) & Michael (Harvard University)

 

More information on ATSILS’ Prisoner Throughcare Program

Paying for Funerals – ASIC Money Smart Resource

 

pdfPaying for Funerals Booklet

 

Money Smart Video: Understanding Funeral Plans

More Information and Resources
View more ASIC Money Smart Resources written specifically for Aboriginal & Torres Islander people. ASIC_MoneySmartLogo

 

 

 

ASIC Indigenous Help Line

ASIC Indigenous Help Line

Be Smart Buy Smart: Understand Your Rights as a Consumer – ASIC Money Smart Resource

 

pdfA simple guide to help you understand your rights as a consumer.

 


 

More Information and Resources

View more ASIC Money Smart Resources written specifically for Aboriginal & Torres Islander people. 

ASIC_MoneySmartLogo

 

 

 

 

ASIC Indigenous Help Line

ASIC Indigenous Help Line

Flood and cyclone legal help for Queenslanders

laq_floodassistance

Visit the Legal Aid Queensland – Flood and Cyclone Legal Help site for information and resources or call 1300 65 11 88

NEWS: Closing the Gap – The Prime Minister’s Report 2015

PmCabinet_Logo

Publication abstract:

This is the seventh Closing the Gap Report produced since targets were set by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) in 2008. The report shows that although there has been some improvement in education and health outcomes for Indigenous Australians, most Closing the Gap targets are not on track to be met. The Government is continuing to focus on reform of Indigenous affairs and the positive impact that this will have on the Closing the Gap targets. There is a strong emphasis on practical actions to get kids to school, adults into work, make communities safer and advancing constitutional recognition.

Closing the Gap – The Prime Minister’s Report 2015

NEWS: Close the Gap – Progress and priorities report 2015

Australian Human Rights Commission Logo

In the spirit of an open and constructive dialogue between government, the wider community, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the Close the Gap Campaign annually produces this progress and priorities report alongside the Prime Minister’s report.

Close the Gap – Progress and priorities report 2015

 

NEWS: AHRC Social Justice and Native Title Report 2014

Australian Human Rights Commission Logo

 

ATSILS welcomes the “Creating safe communities” recommendations outlined by Social Justice Commissioner Mick Gooda in his Social Justice and Native Title Report 2014.

These recommendations are listed as:

Recommendation 1: The Australian Government revises its current position on targets as part of Closing the Gap, to include holistic justice targets aimed at promoting safer communities.

Recommendation 2: The Australian Government actively consults and works with the National Justice Coalition on justice related issues.

Recommendation 3: The Australian Government takes a leadership role on justice reinvestment and works with states, territories and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to identify further trial sites

 

 

The Australian Government Productivity Commission: Overcoming Indigenous Disadvantage report, measures the well-being of Australia’s Indigenous peoples. The report provides information about outcomes across a range of strategic areas such as early child development, education and training, healthy lives, economic participation, home environment, and safe and supportive communities. The report examines whether policies and programs are achieving positive outcomes for Indigenous Australians.

pdfMedia release and key points (PDF – 319 KB)

 

pdfKey indicators and trends: Fact sheet #1 (PDF – 403 KB)