Newsletter date: 6 September 2013
Editorial Note:
'WGAR News' monitors the media, including alternative media.
'WGAR News' gives priority to grassroots Aboriginal voices and grassroots voices in solidarity with Aboriginal peoples' rights.
'WGAR News' publishes information and opinions from a wide range of sources.
These opinions expressed are not necessarily the opinions of WGAR.
As such, 'WGAR News' does not endorse any particular political party, but simply includes information on political parties for the interest of readers.
Contents:
* NATSILS: Coalition signals 20 per cent funding cut to Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Legal Services
* ACOSS concerned by proposed cuts to Aboriginal legal services and foreign aid
* Amy McQuire, Tracker: Aboriginal legal aid could be cut under Coalition: Labor
* NATSILS: COALITION SIGNALS 20 PER CENT FUNDING CUT TO ABORIGINAL & TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER LEGAL SERVICES
- Media Release
NATSILS - National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Legal Services: Coalition signals 20 per cent funding cut to Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Legal Services
http://www.natsils.org.au/News/MediaReleases.aspx
http://www.natsils.org.au/portals/natsils/Media%20Releases/6.9.13%20Coal...
6 Sep 13: "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 a move is solely targeted at ATSILS funding it would be highly disappointing given the Coalition’s stated commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the fact that such a cut would represent an almost 20 per cent reduction in funding for ATSILS and would signal a significant backwards step to 2008 funding levels. ...
"given that our peoples are 15 times more likely to be incarcerated and that the rates of incarceration have risen by 50 per cent in the past 10 years compared to only 5 per cent for the rest of the population, access to culturally competent legal assistance services is a critical issue for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples." ... "
* ACOSS CONCERNED BY PROPOSED CUTS TO ABORIGINAL LEGAL SERVICES AND FOREIGN AID
- Media Release
ACOSS - Australian Council of Social Service: ACOSS concerned by proposed cuts to Aboriginal legal services and foreign aid
http://www.acoss.org.au/media/release/acoss_concerned_by_proposed_cuts_t...
6 Sep 13: "Speaking from the G20 Leaders Summit in Russia, Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Council of Social Service, Dr Cassandra Goldie said, "It is very disappointing that some of the Coalition's proposed savings measures appear to target some of the most disadvantaged people at home and overseas
"We are concerned that in addition to the $4.5 billion cut to foreign aid, a proposed cut of $42 million over 4 years to the ‘Indigenous Policy Reform Program' could cut funding from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander legal services.
"Affected services tell us they are still awaiting further details about the announcement that comes without notice or consultation with services that provide vital assistance to some of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people in our community.
"The incarceration rate of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is a national shame, accounting for a quarter of the prison numbers despite being less than 3 per cent of the total population. It is difficult to see how the proposed funding cut is consistent with our shared interest in reducing this disturbing gap. ... ""
* AMY MCQUIRE, TRACKER: ABORIGINAL LEGAL AID COULD BE CUT UNDER COALITION: LABOR
- News
newsTracker: Aboriginal legal aid could be cut under Coalition: Labor
http://tracker.org.au/2013/09/aboriginal-legal-aid-could-be-cut-under-co...
6 Sep 13: "NATIONAL: The Coalition’s proposed plans to cut $42 million from the Indigenous Legal Assistance and Policy Reform Program could be a severe blow for Aboriginal legal aid services across the country, according to those in the sector. Shane Duffy, chair of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service (NATSILS) says whilst the full details were not released by the Coalition, a cut to he program could mean an almost 20 percent reduction in already underfunded Aboriginal legal aid services." Amy McQuire, a Darumbal and South Sea Islander woman, editor of Tracker
- Related News
The Australian: Indigenous groups angered at proposed Coalition cuts
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/indigenous/indigenous-g...
6 Sep 13: "INDIGENOUS groups are furious that the Coalition has used its 11th hour Budget savings to reveal cuts worth $42 million over a four year period to indigenous affairs. Under "Further Coalition Savings'', the Coalition included "reprioritise Indigenous policy reform program'' a cut of $42 million over four years." Patricia Karvelas
- Related Audio
National Indigenous Radio Service: Labor slams proposed cuts to legal aid
http://www.nirs.org.au/blog/NEWS/article/30138/Labor-slams-proposed-cuts...
6 Sep 13: "Labor says the Coalition will remove 42 million dollars from legal aid services, including the Indigenous Legal Assistance and Policy Reform Program, if it's elected to power as part of their cuts to the budget. The Shadow Treasurer Joe Hockey yesterday revealed Indigenous legal aid would be cut, ... "
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