Minister for Finance and Deregulation, Senator Penny Wong, joined Parliamentary Secretary to the Attorney-General, Shayne Neumann MP, in Ipswich today to announce a funding boost for Indigenous crime prevention and prisoner support in Queensland.
Funding of $672,649 will go to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service (Qld) under the Federal Governments Indigenous Justice Program, which supports Indigenous communities to improve safety and reduce incarceration.
Mr Neumann said the funding would support for Indigenous crime prevention and prisoner support in Brisbane, Ipswich, Cairns, Townsville and Rockhampton.
I am confident the prevention and support program will improve the lives of many Indigenous people, including those here in the Ipswich region, Mr Neumann said.
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services Prevention and Justice Support Prison Program provide intensive support and rehabilitation services to Indigenous prisoners to reduce their chances of future offending."
Senator Wong said the funding means a significant boost for Indigenous justice services in Queensland and enables ATSILS to make a real difference to Indigenous families and the community.
The Federal Labor Government is providing more than $120 million on targeted legal assistance for Indigenous Australians, on prevention and diversion programs for those at risk of offending, and on projects designed to reduce rates of reoffending, Senator Wong said.
We must also continue to work towards addressing the underlying disadvantage which is at the heart of overrepresentation of Indigenous Australians in the justice system.
Further information about the program can be found at www.ag.gov.au.