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.
More information below:
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.
Community information sessions
We are holding community information sessions for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in each of the areas where criminal law services will be frozen.
Here are the details:
|
Location |
Date & time |
|
Byron Bay Local Court |
Tuesday 9 May, 1-2pm |
|
Eden Local Court |
Tuesday 2 May, 1-2pm |
|
Forster Local Court |
Thursday 11 May, 1-2pm |
|
Junee Local Court |
Friday 5 May, 1-2pm |
|
Lithgow Local Court |
Thursday 11 May, 1-2pm |
|
Moss Vale Local Court |
Wednesday 10 May, 1-2pm |
|
Muswellbrook Local Court |
Tuesday 2 May, 1-2pm |
|
Scone Local Court |
Wednesday 10 May, 1-2pm |
|
Singleton Local Court |
Thursday 11 May, 1-2pm |
|
Temora Local Court |
Wednesday 24 May, 1-2pm |
|
Tenterfield Local Court |
Wednesday 10 May, 1-2pm |
|
West Wyalong Local Court |
Thursday 25 May, 1-2pm |
|
Wauchope Local Court |
Tuesday 2 May, 1-2pm |
You don’t need to RSVP for these sessions – just drop by and have a yarn with us.
The Federal Government can stop this from happening
We all share deep concern for the impact that freezing services will have on community and the understandable frustration that will be felt as this news comes out.
This crisis can only be resolved with an emergency support package, complemented by a sector strengthening plan that will guarantee Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have the legal services they expect and deserve.
As such, we are unable to provide a timeline for when these freezes will end. We will regularly review our funding and workforce situation to ensure we can deliver the maximum service level possible whilst protecting our teams.
All of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (ATSILS) around Australia are being forced into similar difficult decisions.
Together, all ATSILS nationwide are calling on government to urgently deliver a $250 million emergency support package.
If we receive this emergency funding, we can prevent or reverse the freezes to our services in the NSW courts listed above.
Stay in the know
Very shortly, we’ll be confirming more ways for community to get information and for allies to support our call for proper funding to support our communities who want access to culturally safe services. To get updates about what’s happening, please sign up to our emails and follow us on Facebook.
If you have questions about your own legal matter, please call your nearest ALS office and speak with your solicitor.
For any other enquiries, please visit the contact us page.
