State and Federal Attorney-Generals tour Kimberley amid legal service funding negotiations
The State and Federal Attorney-Generals are touring the Kimberley to hear from local stakeholders as negotiations over funding through the National Legal Assistance Partnership remain underway.
After an independent review released in May found funding levels were insufficient to meet legal service needs for marginalised groups, WA Attorney-General John Quigley and Federal Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus are touring the region to hear from local providers.
The itinerary includes Broome, Derby, Kununurra and the remote community of Mulan near Lake Gregory in the East Kimberley.
The Attorney-Generals will be meeting with the Marninwarntikura Women’s Resource Centre, Shooting Stars, Kimberley Aboriginal Legal Service, Community Legal, Aboriginal Family Law Services, Legal Aid and Ord Valley Aboriginal Health Service.
On Wednesday Mr Quigley, Mr Dreyfus, WA Senator Sue Lines and local Labor MP Divina D’Anna visited the Shooting Stars program in Kununurra which aims to keep Aboriginal girls in high school for longer.
It followed a visit to another school attendance program in Derby run by the Emama Nguda Aboriginal Corporation.
“I am very impressed by the community-led programs I’ve seen so far.,” Mr Quigley said.
“(On Tuesday) we visited the Emama Nguda Aboriginal Corporation in Derby, which is funded by both the State and the Commonwealth. They work closely with youth to get them back to school and provide wrap-around supports.
“(On Wednesday) we visited Shooting Stars, a program which supports Aboriginal girls in years seven to 12 to increase their school attendance and engagement.
“I commend everyone involved in these programs. Their dedication, enthusiasm and commitment to addressing some of the challenges facing our young people are tremendous and should be applauded,” he said.
In the Kimberley, high rates of youth crime continue to be a top issue for residents. In the tourist town of Broome police responded to more than 2700 crime incidents over the first two months of the year.
Mr Quigley said youth crime was a challenge the Cook Government was working hard to address seeing that more than $40 million had been invested in juvenile justice and wellbeing projects across the Kimberley.
“For example, we have launched the Immediate Response Night Space pilot in Broome to help get at-risk youth off the streets and into the care of a responsible adult. Early reports suggest it is proving to be an extremely valuable service.
“The Department of Justice also provides a range of interventions and contracts non-government support services to address the needs of young people in the community and in custody.
“The Cook Government continues to fund the Kimberley Juvenile Justice Strategy to work closely with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations to provide a range of community-led, place-based activities and night patrols for at-risk young people.
“I have received very positive feedback from local communities about how these programs are helping young people turn their lives around in the most positive and meaningful way.”
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