North Coast Voices: Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (ATSILS) calling for urgent funding relief - representation at Byron Bay Local Court & 12 other regional courts to cease until further notice from 15 May 2023 for all new ASTI matters

Wednesday, 3 May 2023

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (ATSILS) calling for urgent funding relief - representation at Byron Bay Local Court & 12 other regional courts to cease until further notice from 15 May 2023 for all new ASTI matters

Aboriginal Legal Service, News, 28 April 2023:

Alongside other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (ATSILS) around Australia, we are facing a crisis and calling out for urgent funding relief from the Commonwealth Government.

Demand for our services has almost doubled since 2018 but our core Federal Government funding has decreased in real terms. This means we are being pushed harder than ever before.

We are dedicated to maintaining high quality, culturally safe legal services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people – the services that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people expect and deserve.

This is only possible when we prioritise the physical and mental health of our teams so they can do their best work for community. Right now our teams are stretched and without an emergency support package from government we are unable to continue the fight for community at the current pace. Service freeze in 13 Local Court locations

If we do not receive the emergency government funding, we will be forced to freeze ALS criminal law services at the following Local Courts beginning Monday 15 May 2023:

Byron Bay
Eden
Forster
Junee
Lithgow
Moss Vale
Muswellbrook
Scone
Singleton
Temora
Tenterfield
West Wyalong
Wauchope.

This will mean the ALS is unable to act for people facing new criminal charges in these Local Courts from 15 May.

We will do all we can to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with criminal law matters listed in these Local Courts receive legal help from another provider, such as Legal Aid NSW.

We will be in touch directly with current clients who have matters listed in these Local Courts.

This decision does not affect other courts that the ALS currently services.

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Moggy Musings

Hi! My name is Boy. I'm a male bi-coloured tabby cat. Ever since I discovered that Malcolm Turnbull's dogs were allowed to blog, I have been pestering Clarencegirl to allow me a small space on North Coast Voices.

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A local councils musing: Which Northern Rivers council is on a low-key NSW Office of Local Government watch list courtesy of feet dragging by a past general manager?

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North Coast Voices

Wednesday, 3 May 2023

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (ATSILS) calling for urgent funding relief - representation at Byron Bay Local Court & 12 other regional courts to cease until further notice from 15 May 2023 for all new ASTI matters

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