SEPTEMBER 2024
Paralegal Sarah Chia with Women’s Advocacy
Officer Shauna McKellar and her son at NAIDOC Family Fun Day, Carriageworks Eveleigh
BOARD BUSINESS
CONGRATULATIONS TO NEWLY ELECTED DIRECTORS & MEMBERS
FollowingtheALSelectionon25May, membersanddirectorshavebeen electedfortheperiod1July2024to30 June2027
Thefollowingdirectorsnowsitonthe ALSBoard:
RobertCarroll(WesternRegion)
JanelleClarke(NorthernRegion)
CindyFuller(CentralSouthEastern Region)
AntionetteHouse(CentralSouth EasternRegion)
RaymondKeed(WesternRegion)
PatriciaLaurie(NorthernRegion)
KeithMorgan(CentralSouth EasternRegion)
PaulMorris(NorthernRegion)
TamikaMurphy(CentralSouth EasternRegion)
TerrenceRobinson(Northern Region)
UncleHewittWhyman(Western Region)
AuntyLorraineWright(Western Region)
PeterStapleton(HonoraryDirector)
Atthefirstmeetingofthenewboardin lateJuly,KeithMorganwaselectedas ChairpersonwithPatriciaLaurieelected asDeputyChairperson(seenextpage)
Thefulllistofmemberscanbefound ontheALSwebsiteat: alsnswactorgau/election
Congratulationstoallelected representatives.
BOARD VISIT TO THE FIRST NATIONS NETWORK CONFERENCE
From 26-28 June, all First Nations staff at the ALS had an opportunity to come together at the ALS First Nations Network Conference. It was a special time to learn, share knowledge, build strong connections, and discuss issues in a culturally safe space. Staff appreciated the chance to meet faceto-face and hear from several board members during the conference
L-R: Maxine Kirby, Anionette House, Cindy Fuller, Peter Stapleton, Uncle Hewitt Whyman, Patricia Laurie, Nathan Ryan (ALS staff member)
Networking at the First Nations Network Conference 2024
BOARD BUSINESS
MEET OUR NEW CHAIRPERSON
KeithMorganisaproudWiradjuriand Ngunnawalmanoriginallyfrom NarranderaandnowlivinginManar
Hehasworkedingovernmentagencies andAboriginalcommunity-controlled organisationsformanyyears,including servingasthelastATSICChairperson fortheQueanbeyanregion.
Hebringsqualificationsandexpertise byvirtueofamastersdegreein Indigenoushealth,adiplomain Aboriginalhealthandcommunity development,andbusiness managementexperiencetotheALS Board
“Iamcommittedtoworkingtowards increasinglegalrepresentationand supportforourmob Ilookforwardto leadingwithtransparency,integrityand accountability,”Keithsaid
MEET OUR NEW DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON
PatriciaLaurieisaproudYaegland BundjalungwomanfromtheNSWFar NorthCoast.ShealsohasGumbaynggirr andWalbunjaYuinancestryonher grandfather’sside SheisaYamba womanwhocurrentlyresidesinGrafton.
Patriciahasextensiveknowledgeandhas workedinAboriginalcommunity-based organisations,Aboriginalcommunity justice,CorrectiveServicesandthe DepartmentofImmigration Sheisa previousNorthCoastRegionalAboriginal CouncilloroftheNSWAboriginalLand Councilandservesonothercouncilsand committees.Anationallyaccredited trainerandassessor,shehassetupand workedinAboriginalorganisationsand hasafocusoncompliance
“Iamcommittedtobringingback positiveoutcomesinensuringourmobs arerepresentedinthejudicialsystem. Bringingbackfaithandengagementto communitiesandourpeople,”Patricia said
SUPPORTING OUR PEOPLE
SPOTLIGHT ON THE ALS CIVIL LAW PRACTICE
OurCivilLawPracticelaunchedinlate2023 withtheintroductionofourEmployment LawService,thefirstspecialistsexual harassmentanddiscriminationlegalservice inNSWthat’sforallAboriginalworkersand runbyanAboriginalcommunity-controlled organisation.
InadditiontodirectlysupportingAboriginal workers,weprovidecommunityeducation tobuildawarenessofwhatworkplacesexual harassmentanddiscriminationlooklikeand wheretogethelp
Anumberofotherservicesarenowgrouped underourgrowingCivilLawPractice including:
FinesClinic–providinglegalhelpforall kindsoffinesandfine-relateddebts
GreaterSydneyAboriginalTenants Service(GSATS)–helpingpeoplewith theirtenancyproblemswithinthe GreaterSydney,BlueMountainsand CentralCoastareas
Freebirthcertificates–helpingto arrangetheseforeligibleAboriginal peopleacrossNSW
Generalcivillawhelpforwomenand theirfamiliesintheHunterandIllawarra regionsthroughourfamilysafety programsinthoseplaces,andforwomen andyoungpeopleacrossNSWthrough theBailAdvocacyProgram
Ifyouneedhelpwithanyoftheabove,give usacallon1800765767
res an priva the are m called h
BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN CRIMINAL LAW AND CHILD PROTECTION LAW
Childreninout-of-homecareareoverrepresentedinthecriminallegal system,representingafailureofpublic systemstokeepthemsupported.
AttheALSwewanttodomoreto helpchildrenwhoseneedsoverlap betweencriminallawandcareand protection.Sowehavecreatedafirstof-its-kindrolewithintheALSfora solicitoradvocatewhocanprovide advice,advocacyandrepresentation forchildreninout-of-homecarewho havecriminalcourtmatters.
Thisincludesadvocatingforchildren onissueslikewantingtobebailedtoa locationotherthantheirusualout-ofhomecareplacement,orwherethe courtraisesconcernsaboutbailinga childwhohasbeenlivingtransiently orwithoutafixedaddress
SUPPORTING OUR PEOPLE
BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN CRIMINAL LAW AND CHILD PROTECTION LAW (cont )
TherolewillalsohelptheALStoholdother organisationsaccountableforcomplying withtheJointProtocoltoreducethe contactofyoungpeopleinresidentialcare withthecriminaljusticesystem,which outlinesbestpracticetostoptheoverrepresentationofsuchchildrenincriminal matters.
BETTER SUPPORTING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY
Aboriginalpeoplewithdisabilityare disproportionatelylikelytobeinvolvedin childprotectionandthecriminallegal system Weknowthatmanyofourclients livewithdisabilityandwearecommittedto supportingthemasbestwecan.
Overthepastmonths,theALShashadthe opportunitytocreatedisabilitysupportroles intheACTandinDubboandMoree IntheACT,theDisabilityLiaisonOfficercan helppeoplewithapplyingfortheNDIS, liaisingwiththeirNDISprovider,getting accessibilityaccommodationsatcourt, gettingtoandfromappointments,and more.TheDisabilityLiaisonOfficerisalso undertakingareviewofALSmarketing materialstoensureweareusingaccessible templatesandeasyEnglish.
InDubboandMoree,DisabilityAdvocacy SupportWorkersalsohelpwithNDIS applicationsandconversationswith providers,aswellasadvocatinginvarious waysforchildrenwithdisabilitiesandtheir families Theiraimistoreducetheriskof Aboriginalchildrenwithdisabilitybeing removedfromtheirfamilies Call1800765767forsupport.
LEGAL UPDATES
Wewanttoletyouknowabouttwo changestothelawinNSWthatmay affectsomecommunitymembers.
EarlyDrugDiversionInitiative: NSWPolicecannowissueanon-thespot$400fineforafirstorsecond eligiblelow-leveldrugoffence, insteadofrequiringpeopletogoto court
Apersonwhoreceivesafinefora low-leveldrugoffencecannow: Paythe$400fine,or Speaktoanominatedhealth professionaloverthephoneas anotheroptiontoresolvetheir fine
Itisstillanoffencetopossessand useillegaldrugsinNSW,butthisnew approachaimstodivertpeopleto healtheducationservicesandaway fromthecriminallegalsystem
TheALScanhelpwithfinesfordrug possessionandothermatters Calluson1800765767.
Coercivecontrolnowacriminal offence: From1July2024,coercivecontrolis acriminaloffenceinNSW Coercive controliswhensomeonerepeatedly hurts,scaresorisolatesanother persontocontrolthem.Itcaninclude physicalandnon-physicalactionsand looksdifferentineveryrelationship
TheNSWGovernmenthasonline resourcestolearnmoreabout coercivecontrolandthelaw.
Ifreadingthishasmadeyouworried aboutyourselforsomeoneyouknow, call13YARN(139276)forfree, confidential24/7support
ADVOCATING FOR JUSTICE FAMILY IS CULTURE REPORT CARD
LEGAL SECTOR REVIEW RECOMMENDS HIGHER INVESTMENT IN THE ALS
After months of sounding the alarm on a funding crisis, we were vindicated by the findings of an independent review of the legal assistance sector commissioned by the Federal Government
Independent reviewer Dr Warren Mundy found that current funding to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services and Family Violence Prevention Legal Services is insufficient to meet the legal needs of our peoples He recommended that governments significantly increase their investment in our services.
TogetherwithAbSec–NSWChild, FamilyandCommunityPeakAboriginal Organisation,theUTSJumbunna Institute,andtheJusticeandEquity Centre,weissuedourannualFamilyIs Culturereportcard ItevaluatestheNSW Government’sprogresstoreformthe childprotectionsysteminlinewiththe Aboriginal-ledFamilyIsCultureReview recommendationsandAboriginal communityexpectations
Wefoundthatthegovernment’s progresshasbeendisappointinglyand unjustifiablyslow,contributingtothefact NSWisnotontracktoclosethegapin Aboriginalchildreninout-of-homecare WhentheFamilyIsCultureReviewwas releasedin2019,Aboriginalchildrenwere 39%ofallchildrenlivinginout-of-home careinNSW Today,thatproportionhas risento46%
FindoutmoreabouttheFamilyIsCulture Reviewandaccessthelatestcommunity reportcardatalsnswact.org.au/family-isculture
A WIN FOR KIDS FORCED TO LIVE IN MOTELS
TheNSWAdvocateforChildrenand YoungPeoplerecentlyputouta troublingreportfindingthatharmis causedwhenchildrenareplacedin ‘alternativecarearrangements’–motels, hotels,caravanparks,Airbnb’sandother temporaryaccommodation.TheNSW DepartmentofCommunitiesandJustice putsdozensofchildrenpermonthin theseunstableplacementswhenafoster homeorothersuitableplacementcan’t befound.
We supported the Advocate’s call for the NSW Govt to urgently transition away from alternative care arrangements, running a petition with over 1,200 signatures Now the Govt has announced alternative care arrangements will end by February next year.
This means the child protection system will no longer be able to remove children from their homes and parents, only to place them in a motel room with unaccredited workers
ADVOCATING FOR JUSTICE
MEDIA ADVOCACY
We’vepublishedthefollowingnews andviewssinceourpreviousnewsletter inMay:
16Sep:Coronialinquestbeginsinto thedeathincustodyofAboriginal womanTammyShipley
6Sep:“Thiscan’tbeit”:Aboriginal LegalServicecallsforgovernments toreexaminefundingtostopjail crisis
16Aug:Childrenbelongsafeat home,notforcedtoliveinmotels
16Aug:Crimebureaureportsshow NSWisfailingAboriginalchildren andadults
29Jul:NewChairperson,Deputy ChairpersonandMembers 4Jul:Childprotectiongapwidens
1Jul:Strongerpoliceaccountability systemneededforNSW
6Jun:AnothersetbacktoClosing theGappassedbytheNSW Government
4Jun:Dangerousknifewandingbill mustberejectedoramended
21May:Reportshowsmarginalised childrentargetedwithCOVIDfines, compoundingdisadvantage
20May:ALScompanymember electionthisweekend
17May:Latestcustodystatistics revealacrisisweshouldallbe furiousabout
13May:Rushedknifelawswillharm Aboriginalpeople
CONNECTING WITH COMMUNITY
We were out in force this past NAIDOC Week, “keeping the fire burning” Blak, loud and proud in celebration of this year’s theme.
The ALS was proud to attend NAIDOC events at Lismore, Dubbo, Newcastle, Canberra, Parramatta, Warrawong, Redfern, Nowra, Coffs Harbour, Mogo, Moree and Sydney We also enjoyed some deadly staff celebrations at our offices
Artwork: ‘Urapun Muy’ by Deb Belyea
CONNECTING WITH COMMUNITY
Members of our ACT team dressed to the nines for the
FORUM ON POLICE RESPONSES TO MENTAL HEALTH CRISES
We co-hosted a forum at NSW Parliament House in June to promote alternatives to police responding to mental health emergencies
There were about 100 people present, including mental health advocates, psychiatrists and clinicians, homelessness and disability advocates, as well as people with lived experience of police using lethal force in response to a loved one experiencing an acute mental health episode. It was humbling to hear from Leesa Topic, mother of Courtney Topic who was fatally shot by police in 2015; and Judy Deacon, mother of Jesse Deacon, who was fatally shot by police in July 2023 Unfortunately, their stories are not uncommon In the last five years, 52 people experiencing a mental health crisis have died in interactions with police in NSW
At the forum, the NSW Minister for Mental Health, Rose Jackson committed to finalise a framework for alternative responses to mental health emergencies by the end of the year. The Minister indicated that the Government is working with the NSW Coalition of Aboriginal Peak Organisations to ensure the new framework accounts for the experiences of Aboriginal people
The ALS at NAIDOC Family Fun Day at Carriageworks in Eveleigh
NAIDOC at Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo
NAIDOC Ball
COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD
CALL OUT RACISM
Did you know anyone can report racism to the Call It Out register?
If you see or experience racism against Aboriginal people on the street, online, at school, in the shopping centre, in the workplace or anywhere else, report it using the Call It Out website or app
Call It Out is an initiative of the UTS Jumbunna Institute and National Justice Project Download the app from the App Store or Google Play Store, or visit callitout.com.au.
HEALING CIRCLES IN THE CORONER’S COURT
Impact Policy is holding co-design consultations and workshops to find out whether a healing circle can be introduced to the NSW Coroner’s Court, and what it would look like
This is all about making the coronial inquest process more supportive for Aboriginal families who have lost a loved one whose death is being investigated in the Coroner’s Court.
If you’ve been through this experience or if you’re an Aboriginal community member with something to say, please contact Impact Policy. On their website you’ll find links to express interest in a face-to-face or online consultation, or to fill in an online survey Visit impactpolicyau com/healingcircle
VOLUNTEER AS A SUPPORT PERSON
The Justice Advocacy Service is putting the call out for volunteers to support victims, witnesses, suspects and defendants who have a cognitive impairment at court, legal appointments, police stations and correctional facilities
If you’re available during business hours and would like to know more about volunteering, call the Justice Advocacy Service on 1300 655 908 or email volunteer@idrs.org.au.
