THE HON MARK DREYFUS QC MP
Attorney-General
Minister for Emergency Management
Special Minister of State
Minister for the Public Service and Integrity
MEDIA RELEASE
COMMONWEALTH FUNDS NSW CUSTODY NOTIFICATION SERVICE
The Federal Government has stepped in to ensure the continued operation of a NSW advisory service which has made a significant contribution to the reduction in indigenous deaths in custody.
Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus has allocated $100,000 to the Custody Notification Service, and has agreed to a further $400,000 in 2013-14 and $500,000 in 2014-15.
Mr Dreyfus said he was disappointed the NSW Government had not contributed to the cost of the service, even though it was required under NSW legislation.
I have agreed to the Aboriginal Legal Service of NSW/ACT, which runs the Custody Notification Service, using additional funds for legal assistance, announced in the 2013 Budget, to cover the costs of the service, Mr Dreyfus said.
The NSW Government is required by its own statutory obligations to fund the service but has continually refused to do so.
While the Federal Government has been providing financial support for the Custody Notification Service since 2007, the failure of the NSW Government to commit the funds required to maintain this important legal service means that it has been forced to run on annual one-off grants of uncommitted Commonwealth funds.
A Custody Notification Service was a recommendation of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody it is essential that this service is appropriately funded by the NSW Government, Mr Dreyfus said.
The Service was in jeopardy of closing as Aboriginal Legal Service of NSW/ACT did not have the funds to keep it going.
The Custody Notification Service receives around 300 calls a week from Indigenous people arrested by police.
The Service provides legal advice specific to the individuals circumstances and makes inquiries as to their health, ensuring that appropriate medical assistance is provided, where needed.
Since the start of the service in 2000, there have been no Aboriginal deaths in police custody in NSW and ACT.
SUNDAY, 16 JUNE 2013
