In a staggering lack of respect for Tasmania’s first people, the Abbott Government has defunded the Tasmanian Aboriginal Legal Service, instead funding the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service to provide legal advice and support to Aboriginal Tasmanians.
Tasmania is the only state in Australia to have funding cut to their Aboriginal Legal Service. It demonstrates a disgraceful lack of respect for the needs of Aboriginal Tasmanians and the legal service they have relied on for many years.
The Premier needs to demonstrate he is serious about resetting the relationship with the Tasmanian Aboriginal community, and urgently speak to the Prime Minister about showing some respect and reversing this stupid, disrespectful decision.
‘Resetting the relationship with the Aboriginal community’ isn’t as simple as including it as a dot point in the Liberal Party’s 365 day plan. It involves commitment and advocacy.
The Premier needs to advocate for Aboriginal Tasmanians to have access to their own, local Legal Service. He can fix this if he wants to.
Cassy O’Connor MP | Greens Aboriginal Affairs spokesperson
