Message from the Chairperson
I am very pleased to present my first annual report as Chairperson of the Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) Limited.
Firstly, I would like to thank and acknowledge my predecessor, Jason Allan for his leadership as Chairperson during the reporting period.
I am a proud Wiradjuri and Ngunnawal man, father and grandfather. I have served as an ALS Director for seven years and was honoured to be elected by the board as Chairperson in July 2024, following an election that is held every three years in accordance with the ALS Constitution. I am committed to leading with the principles of unity, transparency and accountability.
It is a great privilege and responsibility to be chosen to serve our communities, and myself and my fellow directors take this role very seriously.
My fellow directors are proud, as I know our communities are, of the ALS’ role and legacy as one of Australia’s first Aboriginal community-controlled organisations and the first free legal service in the country.
Funding provided by the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department, including through the National Legal Assistance Partnership (NLAP), plus the NSW Government and the ACT Government is critical in delivering our services and we thank them for their investment. These services now include expanded programs, enabling the ALS to offer holistic and wrap-around support for our communities in more locations.
This year an independent review into the NLAP was undertaken by Dr Warren Mundy, presenting an opportunity for the ALS to amplify our longstanding efforts to secure much-needed additional funding.
Despite the demand for our services increasing each year, our current funding doesn’t allow us to meet the legal needs of our communities.
Dr Mundy found that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples experience greater unmet legal need than any other group in the community and concluded that resourcing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (ATSILS) has been inadequate for well over a decade. He also found that government funding arrangements must deliver better justice outcomes for our peoples and embed Closing the Gap commitments.
Despite these resourcing challenges, the ALS has done an admirable job of delivering almost 141,000 services this year.
On behalf of the board, I commend Chief Executive Karly Warner and the entire ALS team for consistently growing and strengthening the ALS, increasing its profile and driving the fulfilment of our ambitious strategic plan.
I acknowledge the commendable work and dedication of ALS employees throughout another challenging year and extend our sincere thanks to everyone who continued to make our work possible in 2023-24, including our communities, funders, partners, pro bono supporters and donors.
Thank you for supporting our ongoing fight for justice.
Keith Morgan
Chairperson
