August has been a busy month, with many significant developments for the Family Violence Prevention Legal Services (FVPLS) Sector. Firstly the federal Government has released their long awaited Action Plans as part of the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032.
The Albanese Government has announced two Plans – the First Action Plan and a dedicated First Nations Action Plan. The primary objective of these plans is to outline clear strategies and objectives for mitigating violence against women nationwide. The dedicated First Nations plan specifically addresses the disproportionately high levels of violence experienced by Indigenous women by encompassing important principals.
We’re pleased to see the First Nations Action Plan has a commitment to the principles outlined in the Wiyi Yani U Thangani (Women’s Voices) Outcomes Report. At the heart of this approach are the principles of self-determination and being culturally sensitive, among other important aspects. When these principles are adopted, the outcomes have been seen to improve significantly. Moreover, the fact that this plan lines up with the Priority Reforms of the Closing the Gap initiative is a hopeful step forward.
Minister Rishworth announced $194 million for First Nations Family Safety initiatives over 5 years. This announcement, albeit overdue, is welcomed. However, Thelma Schwartz, our Principal Legal Officer, who was recently asked to provide comment to ABC News, has stated that ‘the devil will be in the detail’ when it comes to action. You can read the full article here:
The QIFVLS Policy team recently submitted a response to the Queensland Government’s call for community consultation around Housing and Homelessness challenges within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Our Place: First Nations Housing and Homelessness Action Plan 2024-2027 is promoted as an effort to find community-driven and evidenced-based solutions that can meet the unique needs of urban, regional, discrete, and remote First Nations communities. QIFVLS contributed a submission to this process, as our work makes us uniquely positioned to provide insight into this complex problem.
Family Violence is the intersection that links an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person to the child protection system, youth justice system, adult criminal justice system, housing and/or homelessness, health and family law system. These ‘connectors’ are further compounded for the First Nations people living regionally or remotely, where access to services are a further barrier. We are committed to achieving the reforms outlined in the National Agreement on Closing The Gap, with a focus on reducing family violence against women and children by at least 50% by 2031 (Target 13).
With about 85% of our clients being women and girls, the submission focuses on the challenges faced by female clients in navigating the housing crisis. The submission draws from the Hear Her Voice reports by the Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce, particularly Report Two, which highlights the lack of support for women and girls who are victims of family and sexual violence and are also involved in the criminal justice system. The Taskforce pointed out gaps in the system as these women and girls transition from custody to community housing.
We have stressed the need for assistance and reintegration programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and girls who have been criminalised by the criminal justice system. We further stress the need this should be conducted in gender-specific, strength-based, trauma-informed, and culturally safe methods. This process should also be supported by safe and stable accommodation being made available to ensure the successful transition back into community.
New Changes to the QLD Domestic and Family Violence Act
On August 1, 2023, the Domestic and Family Violence Protection (Combating Coercive Control) and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2023 came into effect, introducing significant changes. One notable change is the addition of section 4(e) to the Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act (Qld), which mandates courts to determine the party in a domestic violence situation most requiring protection, when both parties allege violence. The amendment also assumes a single domestic violence order, unless exceptional circumstances exist. Additionally, related cases within the same court must be heard concurrently.
Another change, section 36A, obligates police to submit the respondent’s criminal and domestic violence history to the Court before the initial hearing when applying for a Domestic Violence Order (DVO) or issuing a Police Protection Notice.
These amendments introduce legal and practical modifications to the process of obtaining domestic violence orders. Read further here:
Amendments look to override the Human Rights Act
The Queensland government has rushed through contentious changes to laws that would disregard the state’s Human Rights Act. This would enable the use of police watch houses and adult prisons as youth detention centres.
The statement from our CEO, Wynetta Dewis, about the concerning path the Government is taking can be read here:
Mt Isa Office Gift
Earlier this month, our Board and Executive Team gathered in Mt Isa for the Quarterly Board Meeting. During this meeting, we held a ceremony because we received a special gift from a local organisation that had previously deregistered. The West Queensland Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders Corporation For Legal Aid (WQATSIC) generously gifted their office building for QIFVLS to provide services from.
It’s worth noting that QIFVLS had actually operated from this building for several years before moving to a new location recently. We want to express our gratitude to Pattie Lees and Valerie Craigie for being there with us on that day to accept this generous gift. The official transfer of the building was successfully finalised on June 30, 2023.
Australian South Sea Islander Recognition Day.
Do you know that on the 25th August marks Australian South Sea Islander Recognition Day, a time to honour the heritage of this vibrant community and confront the painful history that gave rise to the Australian South Sea Islanders (ASSI). The ASSI community comprises of Pacific Islanders who were originally displaced through Australia’s first Seasonal Workers Scheme.
While some of the 62,000 individuals brought to Australia did so willingly, entering contracts for plantation labour, a significant number were subjected to coercion or outright forced captivity – a practice known as “blackbirding.” This shameful practice targeted not only men but also women and children, mostly from Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands. However, people were also taken from the Loyalty Islands, Papua New Guinea, Tuvalu, Kiribati, and Fiji.
In 1994, the Australian government officially recognised Australian South Sea Islanders as a distinctive cultural cohort and expressed gratitude for their contributions to Australia.
Both Aunty Donna Staudinger and Latisha Hatter, who are our CMOs in Rockhampton, have ancestral ties to South Sea Islanders. Despite the official recognition granted in 1994, there remains a disconnect in broader acknowledgment.
Latisha Hatter states, “This recognition is really important for our community; we can’t even identify as Australian South Sea Islanders on some documents like hospital forms or the census.”
“We’re really passionate about our identity. Many Australian South Sea Islanders also have Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander heritage, but it’s very important we have truth telling to talk about the history of Blackbirding, our people, their hard work and sacrifices.”
If you wish to know more about this, then check out some information here:
PLO success at the QLS awards and The Brief Case Podcast
Congratulations to Thelma Schwartz, the Principal Legal Officer here at QIFVLS, for winning the QLS Access to Justice Award! This achievement is a remarkable recognition of Thelma’s efforts and dedication in striving to improve the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It’s heart-warming to see her hard work being acknowledged and celebrated by the wider legal community. This award is a great honour for Thelma and a proud moment for everyone at QIFVLS.
Thelma was asked to join Sarah-Elke Kraal on her podcast – The Brief Case. They discussed the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and its justice targets, Thelma’s work protecting Indigenous women and children from Family Violence, the importance of trauma awareness with clients, and surprising lessons on lawyering from taxi drivers.
Are you in search of an rewarding profession that will take you on journeys through the breathtaking landscapes of Queensland? One that promises not only career advancement and skill enhancement, but also attractive perks, substantial travel allowances, and one-of-a-kind professional adventures? Are you drawn to a career that enables you to make a positive difference in the lives of others?
Look no further – your new career awaits you! At QIFVLS, we are dedicated to combating Family and Domestic Violence within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities. Our methods encompass education, advocacy, legal reform, court support, and casework assistance. By focusing on early intervention and prevention, our aim is to empower individuals impacted by Family Violence to regain control over their lives. We are in search of outstanding and dynamic individuals who can join us in achieving this mission.
If you envision yourself fitting into this scenario, we encourage you to see what’s available here.
Please consider making a personal or corporate donation to help our teams deliver the services that are so vital to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Watch the video below for one example of how some of the donations made to QIFVLS is utilised to make the lives of people in crisis better.
