Indigenous Policy and Service Delivery Branch
The Indigenous Policy and Service Delivery Branch is responsible for strategic policy advice on Indigenous law and justice matters and contribution to whole of government Indigenous policy. It is also responsible for service provision focusing on law and justice advocacy, and prevention, diversion, rehabilitation and restorative justice projects which aim to prevent adverse contact by Indigenous Australians with the criminal justice system.
Our areas of responsibility
Prevention, Diversion, Rehabilitation and Restorative Justice
This program supports prevention, diversion, rehabilitation and restorative justice-related projects designed to help reduce Indigenous people’s adverse contact with the justice system. Given the rapid growth of the young Indigenous population emphasis is placed upon the needs of children and young people so that any cycles of offending can be disrupted as early as possible. The types of activities that receive funding include community night patrols, a variety of projects for children and youth at risk, and prisoner support services.
For further information see the Prevention, Diversion, Rehabilitation and Restorative Justice Program.
To apply for funding under this program organisations can lodge a submission through the annual Office of Indigenous Policy Coordination e-Sub process. Further information on the process is available at the Office of Indigenous Policy Coordination website.
Law and Justice Advocacy Development
This program supports law reform, monitors deaths in custody and community legal education, and is involved in relevant research and education projects aimed at promoting practical policies for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander law and justice.
For further information see the Law and Justice Advocacy Development Program.
To apply for funding under this program organisations can lodge a submission through the annual Office of Indigenous Policy Coordination e-Sub process. Further information on the process is available at the Office of Indigenous Policy Coordination website.
Indigenous Law and Justice Policy
The program supports Indigenous Australians in their pursuit of social, cultural, economic and political rights through the legal system. This is achieved by providing policy input to other government programs, including those administered by the Department.
Draft National Indigenous Law and Justice Framework
The National Indigenous Law and Justice Framework is intended to facilitate the development of a coordinated, long-term and multi-jurisdictional approach to reduce the pressing and complex law and justice issues affecting Indigenous Australians.
The Commonwealth Attorney-General's Department is represented on the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General working group responsible for advancing the Framework. The working group met in September 2008 to further develop the Framework.
Please direct any enquiries on the Framework to Indigenous Policy and Service Delivery Branch, on (02) 6218 7074 or e-mail.
Northern Territory Service Delivery
On 21 June 2007 the Australian Government announced national emergency measures to protect Aboriginal children in the Northern Territory from abuse to give them a better, safer future. These measures are being introduced in response to the concern held for the welfare of Aboriginal children in the Territory.
The Northern Territory service delivery team is responsible for the overall coordination of the Department’s contribution to the response measures introduced by the Australian Government.
The team works closely with all areas of the Department, as well as other Australian Government agencies, on a number of issues including:
- Providing advice on potential changes to Commonwealth and Northern Territory legislation, including relating to land acquisition, alcohol bans, criminal law and law enforcement and classification laws
- Advising on issues arising under constitutional law, administrative law, international law, privacy law and the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (RDA), and
- Assisting to brief key stakeholders, including the Australian Federal Police, the Australian Crime Commission, Ombudsman, Privacy Commissioner and Commissioners from the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission.
The team is also responsible for program administration aspects of the response including liaising with legal assistance service providers and the Northern Territory Aboriginal Interpreter Service funded by the Department and facilitating the roll out of night patrols in the 73 NTER communities.
For further information see Night patrol services in the Northern Territory.
The Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) has produced a number of fact sheets which provide further information. The fact sheets are available from FaHCSIA’s Emergency Response to protect Aboriginal children in the Northern Territory website.
Regional Operations
The Regional Operations Section has overall responsibility for overseeing the Indigenous Coordination Centre (ICC) staff located in regional locations around Australia. ICC staff members are responsible for the effective day-to-day management of Indigenous Policy and Service Delivery Branch programs.
The staff in ICCs work closely with service providers, funded organisations and Indigenous families, individuals and communities on matters relating to efficient and effective program delivery. In addition, they liaise with representatives of Australia and State, Territory and local governments. State Contact Officers are responsible for responding to any queries received in those ICCs where there are no Attorney-General’s Department staff.