AAP has reviewed the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service (NATSIL) pre-budget submission to the government, highlighting the challenges faced by First Nations Australians.
The submission emphasizes the increased risk of family violence and unjust incarceration due to the struggle of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander legal organizations to meet the surging demand for their services.
With a focus on providing legal services for incarcerated First Nations youth and adults, as well as support for housing, these organizations are under immense pressure, facing recruitment and retention challenges.
According to NATSIL, the lack of funding over the years has pushed many organizations to the brink, resulting in frozen services and putting First Nations people in jeopardy.
This crisis underscores the urgent need for culturally safe and accessible legal assistance to prevent more children from being separated from their families, increased family violence, unjust imprisonment, and the risk of more deaths in custody,” said NATSIL chair Karly Warner.
Despite making up only 3.8% of the Australian population, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are significantly overrepresented in the justice system, accounting for 33% of all prisoners and more than half of those in youth detention.
The submission calls for immediate action to address these disparities and ensure the well-being of First Nations Australians.
2024-05-12 23:32:14
Source from www.theguardian.com
