4 April 2019 BUDGET CHANGES PUT ABORIGINAL LEGAL SERVICES AT RISK Peak body Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) has raised concerns that the Federal Government’s proposal to ‘mainstream’ funding to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (ATSILS), as announced in the Budget, will compromise the ability of Aboriginal organisations to provide culturally-appropriate legal services to Aboriginal people in need.   From 30...

6 March 2019 ALS REAFFIRMS DECISION ON NEW SERVICE DELIVERY MODEL IN NORTHERN REGION The Board of the Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) has reaffirmed its decision to relocate the office from Grafton to Coffs Harbour in order to meet growing demands for its culturally-appropriate legal and support services for Aboriginal people across the Northern Region of NSW. As a sign of the...

4 March 2019 ALS WELCOMES PLEDGE TO ESTABLISH WALAMA COURT Peak body Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) has welcomed a pledge from the NSW Opposition to establish a specific sentencing court for Aboriginal people engaged with the criminal justice system, if it wins the upcoming election. But ALS Chair Bunja Smith also called on all political parties to ensure sustainable funding streams in...

6 February 2019 ALS OFFICE IN COFFS HARBOUR WILL MEET INCREASED DEMAND FOR LEGAL SERVICES Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) says the opening of an office in Coffs Harbour will not affect the current service delivery in the Clarence Valley area. The ALS will continue to provide services to Grafton and Maclean Courts and the community. “The Board’s decision to establish a new...

26 November 2018 WE THANK GANG OF YOUTHS FOR DONATING TO THE ALS Hey Mob, The Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) thanks indie rock band Gang of Youths, for their support of our work in helping Aboriginal people achieve social justice. Through our partnership with PLUS1, an initiative linking touring artists with high impact organizations fighting for social justice, Gang of Youths has...

26 October 2018 REPORT FAILS TO TELL THE ‘TRUE STORY’ ABOUT ABORIGINAL INCARCERATION   Peak body Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) says an independent Report which claims most of the recommendations from the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody (RCIADC) have been adopted, fails to tell the ‘true story’ about alarming Aboriginal incarceration rates.   The Deloitte Access Economics Report, released by...