18 April 2008
ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR ABORIGINAL LEGAL SERVICES
The Commonwealth Government has allocated an additional $4.9 million in one-off funding to support the operations of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (ATSILS).
The Minister for Home Affairs, Bob Debus, said the funding should assist with reducing the financial pressures faced by ATSILS around Australia.
“This funding will assist ATSILS to meet some of their immediate operational needs and brings the total Commonwealth funding provided for the operation of Aboriginal Legal Services to over $58 million for 2007-08.”
Of the additional $4.9 million:
- $2.4 million will be allocated for much needed capital expenditure to address office accommodation requirements and install air conditioning, particularly in rural and remote areas.
- $1 million will be allocated to the Aboriginal Legal Service of Western Australia which is facing increased workloads as a result of the Indigenous Justice Taskforce in that State (this is in addition to $300,000 already provided to the West Australian Aboriginal Legal Service).
- $1 million will be allocated to increase the capacity of ATSILS to service various community courts including Murri, Koori and Nunga.
- $500,000 will be allocated to the Expensive Indigenous Cases Fund
Mr Debus said the extra funding was a tangible demonstration of the Rudd Government’s commitment to closing the gap on Indigenous disadvantage.
“ATSILS provide an essential service to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. They play a unique role in delivering culturally appropriate services to meet the legal advice and representation needs of their clients.
“Indigenous Australians remain one of the most disadvantaged groups in Australia and experience unacceptably high rates of contact with the law and justice system. As a consequence ATSILS are operating in an environment of heavy demand for their services.”
The Aboriginal Legal Movement of South Australia is receiving a one-off injection of $240,400 under today’s announcement and will also be eligible to apply for extra funding for high cost cases.
Media Contact: Samantha Wills 0448 721 372