ABOUT US
First Nations Women’s Legal is a vibrant community legal centre that is grounded in culture. A community-controlled Management Committee drives our strategic direction and more than 50% of our staff team are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. Our combined lived expertise informs our service delivery. We are a not-for-profit NGO funded by State and Commonwealth governments as part of the National Access to Justice Partnership.
MEET THE TEAM
We are a professional team who are here to help navigate the legal journey. We practise trauma-informed and culturally grounded work whilst maintaining our own wellbeing.
Administration, Client Support, Community Development, Lawyers, Management, Paralegals, Students and Volunteers all make up our team. The collective skills and passion ensure we provide a quality service.
ORGANISATIONAL CHART
The Organisational Chart reflects our team accountability. We operate through two-way governance and two-way leadership despite the appearance of a hierarchical structure.
OUR HISTORY
In July 1998 the Commonwealth Attorney-General provided funding to the North Queensland Women's Legal Service Inc ("NQWLS") to provide services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in North Queensland. The NQWLS established the Indigenous Women's Unit ("the IWU"). This was the first step towards the formation of the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Women's Legal Services NQ ("ATSIWLSNQ") as it is now.
The IWU operated from Townsville and Cairns at the offices of the NQWLS and a reference group was established to advise the Management Committee of the NQWLS about service delivery.
In February 2005 the IWU received approval from the Commonwealth Attorney-General to set up premises in Townsville, separate from the NQWLS.
In May 2005 the IWU relocated to St James Place in the heart of Townsville, with two staff members, a Principal Solicitor and a Community Development Worker (a part-time administrator was later employed by the service). The IWU continued to be managed financially by the NQWLS, which also provided support for the IWU during the transitional period. NQWLS established a sub-committee to oversee the IWU's progression to independence.
In February 2006 the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Women’s Legal Services NQ (ATSIWLSNQ) was incorporated and in March 2006 an interim Management Committee was elected. The service provided legal services and community legal education to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in the service region, while continuing to operate under the auspice of the NQWLS until July 2006.
ATSIWLSNQ is funded by the Commonwealth Attorney General’s Department and the State Attorney General’s Department, through Legal Aid Queensland’s Community Legal Services Program (“CLSP”). In addition to recurrent funding the service receives “one-off” funding from time to time for particular projects.
The core work of ATSIWLSNQ is legal advice, casework including court representation, community legal education (CLE), outreach clinics and CLE workshops for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in Townsville and in rural and remote areas of North Queensland.
ATSWILSNQ is committed to working with its community networks to provide a range of legal services and to promoting and advocating for law reform as appropriate. ATSIWLSNQ reaches out to women who otherwise would not have access to legal services. We share with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in North Queensland information as to their legal options, which we hope will empower them to make informed legal choices.
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OUR VISION
First Nations women and children feel safe, empowered and their cultural and human rights are upheld.
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to improve access to legal services and to promote law reform for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women through advocacy and representation in the legal system.
OUR VALUES
Our values guide who we are, how we make decisions, our team environment, and keeps us grounded in culture.
HUMAN RIGHTS
We give a voice to First Nations women to achieve social and legal justice and equity before the law.
COLLABORATION
We work with staff and sector partners on our shared goals and objectives.
LEADERSHIP
We lead the sector with confidence, respect, honesty and professionalism.
FAMILY
We strive to keep First Nations women and their children strong and safely together
INCLUSIVE
We welcome First Nations women of all abilities, genders and beliefs
STRATEGIC PILLARS & STRATEGIC PLAN 2024 – 2027
The strategic direction of our Organisation is led by a group of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. We regularly review to ensure we are on track with our goals. We thrive through continuous improvement.
SUSTAINABILITY & GOOD GOVERNANCE
Create and maintain a Finance & Risk Committee.
Value our staff and ensure they are well-resourced and well-equipped.
BETTER TOGETHER
Increase community membership and participation.
Build relationships with First Nations community: Elders, Traditional Owners and First Nations organisations.
Build relationships with government and non-government stakeholders Australia-wide.
INNOVATION
Resource a criminal law service for First Nations women.
Improve face-to-face access for First Nations women in prison.
Expand services to improve access for First Nations women in regional and rural areas.
Develop digital access and marketing for better client accessibility and promotion of our services.
NOTHING ABOUT US, WITHOUT US
Resource for a criminal law service for First Nations women.
Build relationships with First Nations community: Elders, Traditional Owners and First Nations organisations.
Build relationships with government and non-government stakeholders Australia-wide.
OUR LOGO
The woman holding the child is the association. The flower represents the beauty of all Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander women. The vines represent the family and keeping culture alive.
MAKE A DONATION
All donations go towards outreach, community development and creating resources. We reach more women, families and communities when more people give.