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Aboriginal Legal Service of Western Australia

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Social Development

Accreditation to:	Indigenous Forum
Affiliation with other organizations:	All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and organisations in the state of Western Australia. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service (Qld) Ltd. (ATSILS Qld) Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement Inc (ALRM) Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) (ALS(NSW/ACT)) Central Australian Aboriginal Legal Aid Service (CAALAS) North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA) Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS) Indigenous Peoples Organisations Network of Australia
Publications:	"Telling Our Story" Research Report on Removal of Aboriginal Children from their Families in WA (1995). "After the Removal" Submission to the National Inquiry into Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from their Families,(1996).
Purpose of the organization:	ALSWA aims to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and advance their interests and aspirations through a comprehensive range of legal and support services throughout Western Australia. In contemporary and traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander societies, it is important to recognise the significance of land, family relationships, language, cultural values and traditional law. ALSWA recognises the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and is committed to protecting and advancing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rights and aspirations. ALSWA uses the law and legal system to bring about social justice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as a whole. ALSWA develops and uses strategies in areas of legal advice, legal representation, legal education, legal research, policy development and law reform. ALSWA believes that responsibilities go hand in hand with rights. While recognising that many people are victims of unjust systems in the wider community, ALSWA encourages groups and individuals to exercise personal responsibilities. ALSWA is responsive to change and is committed to developing a statewide network of services that are accessible by all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. ALSWA understands that co-operation with other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organizations, Government, other legal services and relevant agencies is an essential component of the work it does. ALSWA aims to: • Deliver a comprehensive range of culturally-matched and quality legal services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples throughout Western Australia, • Provide leadership which contributes to participation, empowerment and recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Indigenous people of Australia, • Ensure that Government and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples address the underlying issues that contribute to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander disadvantage on all social indicators, and implement the relevant recommendations arising from the Royal Commission Into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody, and • Create a positive and culturally-matched work environment by implementing efficient and effective practices and administration throughout ALSWA.
Confirmation of the activities of the organization at the regional, national or international level:	ALSWA provides legal advice and representation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in a wide range of practice areas including criminal law, civil law, family law as well as human rights law and policy. Its service is available throughout Western Australia via 17 regional and remote offices and one head office in Perth. ALSWA's core activities occur at the local level. ALSWA provides a duty service at many metropolitan and country courts, which includes bail applications, remands and pleas. There is a legal advice service during weekday office hours. In emergencies, legal advice can be provided by phone after hours. Lawyers and Court Officers visit prison and lockups to provide prisoners with legal advice and represent people in trials or appeals. ALSWA criminal law staff also makes sure the criminal courts know about cultural matters that apply, such as different styles of communication and punishment. ALSWA provides legal advice in all types of family law issues, including custody, access and care and protection matters, and lawyers represent people in the Family Court and the Children’s Court. ALSWA family law staff also makes sure courts that deal with family law issues know about cultural matters that apply, including communication, how children are raised, and the importance of children and family in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. ALSWA provides legal advice in certain types of civil law and human rights matters, including discrimination, compensation for injury, police complaints, wills and debt. Our lawyers take instructions, respond to enquiries, and help prepare letters and documents. ALSWA advises the government and mainstream organisations about law, justice and human rights issues that affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living in Western Australia. ALSWA works towards advancing the legal and human rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through policy and law reform and community legal education. Law and Advocacy has recently extended to international human rights law research, policy, advocacy, education and training. Community and prisoner support is provided by ALSWA for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Western Australia. This includes visiting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the community, in refuges and in prisons and providing support and referral so that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples can access ALSWA and other services as required. All ALSWA services are available to prisoners and ALSWA runs a prisoner support and rehabilitation program.
A list of members of the governing body of the organization, and their countries of nationality:	All members of the Executive Committee are of Australian nationality and identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander peoples. The Executive Committee consists of sixteen elected members, comprising two elected members in each of the eight regions in Western Australia who can serve a term of three years. Executive Committee: - Rosetta Sahanna, President, West Kimberley Region - Murray Yarran Vice President, Central Metro Region - Veronica Williams-Bennell, Secretary, Goldfields Region - Michael Blurton Central Metro Region - Ian Tucker, Goldfields Region - Beverly Thomas, Central Desert Region - Preston Thomas, Central Desert Region - Judith Butters, East Kimberley Region - Lorraine Whitby, Murchison/Gascoyne Region - Violet Whitby, Murchison/Gascoyne Region - Phyllis Simmons, Pilbara Region - Victor Woodly, Pilbara Region - Olivia Roberts, Southern Region - Dean Colbung, Southern Region.
Description of the membership of the organization, indicating the total number of members:	There are presently 4903 members of ALSWA, subject to an upcoming review of deceased members. All members reside in Australia and are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

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