Funding boost for far north Qld Indigenous Community Justice Groups

Community justice groups (CJGs) in far north Queensland will receive funds totalling almost $150,000 to improve justice services in the region, Member for Cook Jason O’Brien said today.

“CJGs in 14 communities have been awarded funding for social justice initiatives ranging from governance training for community members to assisting with operating expenses to provide night patrols” he said.

“The groups are located in Aurukun, Cairns, Coen, Hope Vale, Innisfail, Kowanyama, Kuranda, Lockhart River, Mossman, Napranum, Northern Peninsula Area, Thursday Island, Wujal Wujal and Yarrabah.”

Attorney-General and Justice Minister Kerry Shine said the grants were awarded under the Community Justice Group Specific Project Grants Fund.

“In February this year, the government announced an additional $4 million over four years would be committed to CJGs,” he said.

“As part of this funding, an additional $185,000 was allocated for this financial year for social justice initiatives.

“The Department of Justice and Attorney-General received an overwhelming response following a call for applications in March this year.

“As a result, the department has agreed to fund initiatives for 25 projects in 22 communities at a total of $245,000 - $60,000 more than was originally committed.”

Mr Shine said CJGs played an important role in the implementation of a range of initiatives targeting the over-representation of Indigenous people in the criminal justice system.

CJGs were established in 1993 in response to the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody. There are currently 40 statutory and non-statutory groups located throughout Queensland.

A full list of FNQ grant recipients is attached.

9 May 2007

Media contact: Kirby Anderson 3239 6400 or 0418 197 350

kirby.anderson@ministerial.qld.gov.au