Funding boost for north west Qld Indigenous Community Justice Groups

Community Justice Groups (CJGs) in north-west Queensland will receive funds totalling $34,000 to improve justice services in the area, Member for Mount Isa Betty Kiernan said today.

“CJGs in Cloncurry, Doomadgee and Normanton were among the successful applicants from throughout the state to have grants awarded for their nominated social justice initiatives,” Mrs Kiernan said.

“The Normanton CJG will receive $23,000 to assist with its Normanton Elders Take Control and Power project, to be based on the Murri Court model which provides a culturally appropriate means of sentencing Indigenous offenders.”

“Cloncurry’s group has been awarded $4,000 for uniforms and vehicle identification expenses associated with operation of its night patrol.

“The Doomadgee CJG will receive $7,000 to help establish and administer men’s and women’s groups which will provide information and support on a range of issues including family violence, parenting awareness, and the requirements of court related orders.

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.

9 May 2007
Media contact: Kirby Anderson 3239 6400 or 0418 197 350
kirby.anderson@ministerial.qld.gov.au