In its maiden budget, the Albanese government makes a significant financial commitment to closing the gap and enhancing the lives of indigenous Australians.
Today, the Attorney General Mark Dreyfus and the Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney announced a record-breaking $99 million First Nations Justice package.
Current justice reinvestment initiatives have a track record of decreasing recidivism, crime, and incarceration.
This comprises: The Australian Law Reform Commission recommended $81.5 million, the largest financial package for justice reinvestment ever committed by the Commonwealth, to fund up to 30 community-led justice reinvestment initiatives across Australia and create an independent national justice reinvestment unit.
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (ATSILS) received $13.5 million more in funding to expand its capacity to offer culturally competent legal aid in criminal investigations.
The National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (NATSILS), the industry’s leading organization, will receive $1 million to expand its capabilities in order to provide leadership for the Indigenous legal sector.
$3 million will be used to fund National Family Violence Prevention Legal Services Forum and the FVPLS organizations that offer victims and survivors of family, domestic, and sexual assault legal and non-legal help.
In order to fulfill goals 10 and 11 of the National Agreement on Bridging the Gap, the Albanese Government is dedicated to collaborating with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
To ensure that this assistance goes directly to people who need it, the Attorney-General’s Department (AGD) and National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) will collaborate closely with the communities and State and Territory equivalents.
The Government’s commitment to the Referendum to include an Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Voice in Constitution is strengthened by these investments, which support the goals of Uluru Statement from Heart.
The Hon. Linda Burney MP, Minister for Indigenous Australians, stated, “This Government is dedicated to spearheading continuing and significant transformation. For this reason, we are increasing funding for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services as well as investing in justice reinvestment initiatives with up to 30 communities around Australia.
To keep Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people out of the criminal justice system, justice reinvestment must be community-led and incorporate holistic approaches. “These commitments will enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to contribute to decisions that will benefit us and our communities.”
