The Tasmanian Aboriginal Legal Service has issued its policy agenda ahead of Tasmania's upcoming state election.
It comes after the Tasmanian Regional Aboriginal Corporations Alliance (TRACA) called for government to support Aboriginal-led initiatives as Tasmanians prepare to go to the polls next month for the fourth time in seven years.
Ahead of the election triggered by Parliament's no confidence motion in Tasmanian premier Jeremy Rockliff, the Tasmanian Aboriginal Legal Service (TALS) has called on all candidates to focus on three key areas.
They include building safer communities and reducing unnecessary incarceration through smart investment.
TALS chief executive Jake Smith said a Statewide Aboriginal Bail Support Program (BSP) will make communities safer by addressing the factors that lead to offending, deliver a strong return on investment, reducing pressure on courts, police, and corrections.
The Palawa man also argued a statewide BSP would provide culturally safe supports while reducing the unnecessary overrepresentation of Aboriginal people in custody, particularly youth, and improve education, employment, and health outcomes through case management and support.
"We want to support Aboriginal young people and adults at risk of unnecessary incarceration through a Statewide Aboriginal Bail Support Program (BSP) – a proven alternative that provides opportunities for those at risk and reduces reoffending," Mr Smith said.
TALS is also calling for investment in Aboriginal family violence prevention legal services to ensure Aboriginal women, children and families receive timely, culturally safe legal and non-legal assistance and reduce unnecessary trauma and improve outcomes for victim-survivors and their children who experience family, domestic and sexual violence.
Mr Smith said investment in Aboriginal family violence prevention legal services will also secure service delivery in Tasmania's North West and reduce the risk of harm, hospitalisation, or death among at-risk community members.
"We need to secure Statewide services for Tasmania's only dedicated Aboriginal Family Violence and Prevention Legal Service, which delivers culturally safe legal and holistic supports to clients in need," Mr Smith said.
Similar to TRACA, Mr Smith and TALS are also seeking investment in Aboriginal-led solutions for Indigenous people and communities.
They include reforms for Tasmania's youth justice system to incorporate services delivered by Aboriginal people for Aboriginal youth, and supporting Tasmania's Aboriginal communities by providing sustainable investment to the Tasmanian Aboriginal Legal Service.
"Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations are best placed to deliver services and programs that support Aboriginal youth, and adults across Tasmania and in their communities," Mr Smith said.
Mr Smith said other priority areas for investment in Aboriginal services include providing youth in Bridgewater, Herdsman's Cove and Gagebrook at risk of contact with the justice system with access to culturally safe supports through the community-led Bridgewater Youth Hub, and increased support for the Aboriginal Wellbeing Program, ensuring access to culture, connection, and wraparound support to reduce recidivism and improve reintegration outcomes.
The Tasmanian state election will be held on Saturday, July 19.
