Media Releases
27/11/2014
A coalition of national Aboriginal, human rights and campaign organisations from across Australia have today welcomed the release of the 2014 Social Justice Report, and called on governments around the country to implement the recommendations. The broad based coalition is working together to develop new approaches to tackle the unacceptable rates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander imprisonment and create ... Read More
21/11/2014
Just as this week’s Productivity Commission Overcoming Indigenous Disadvantage report revealed a shocking increase of almost 60 percent in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander incarceration rates over the last decade, NATSILS are disappointed to hear that the Government has back flipped on its commitment to introduce justice targets as part of the Closing the Gap policy agenda, a move which ... Read More
19/11/2014
Today, as the Overcoming Indigenous Disadvantage: Key Findings 2014 Report is released, the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (NATSILS) call for a new and more effective approach that addresses the underlying causes of crime as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander incarceration rates continue to rise.
22/08/2014
Today the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (NATSILS) strongly support calls by the National Family Violence and Prevention Legal Services Forum (National FVPLS Forum) to have direct funding reinstated.
03/03/2014
Today the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (NATSILS) invite Prime Minister Tony Abbott to match his good intent with firm commitment and action.NATSILS Chairperson, Shane Duffy, said that the Prime Minister has demonstrated his best intent towards addressing the disadvantage faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples but that what is needed now is turning good ... Read More
20/12/2013
Today the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (NATSILS) expressed concern at the Australian Government’s announcement that it will, in all likelihood, renege on an official $15 million funding commitment in the 2013 Budget towards the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples (Congress).NATSILS Chairperson, Shane Duffy, said that Congress fulfils a vital role in representing the rights of ... Read More
17/12/2013
Federal Government cuts to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services will mean that even more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples will not be able to access essential legal services and will further entrench Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as second class citizens in their own country, says the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services peak body.The ... Read More
06/09/2013
Hidden amongst the Coalition’s costings announcement yesterday was a funding cut of $42m to the Indigenous Policy Reform Program, the program which provides funding to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (ATSILS) across Australia. NATSILS Chairperson, Shane Duffy, said that while NATSILS are seeking clarification from the Coalition as to the full detail of the indicated cuts, if such ... Read More
28/08/2013
Today the Close the Gap Campaign for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Equality has launched their platform for key commitments for an incoming Government entitled Building on the Close the Gap platform: Commitments for an incoming government. The plan includes a call for the creation of new justice targets to address the over-imprisonment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ... Read More
16/08/2013
Today the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (NATSILS) welcome the launch of the Greens Access to Justice Policy which calls for a funding increase of 50 per cent for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander legal services (ATSILS).