Landmark investment in First Nations justice reinvestment programs

The Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP
Media Release

Acting Attorney-General
Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher

Minister for Indigenous Australians
The Hon Linda Burney MP

Joint media release

The Albanese Labor Government is investing in nine local justice reinvestment initiatives as part of its landmark justice reinvestment programs. The projects announced today will be the first grants delivered under those programs, and are part of the largest commitment to justice reinvestment ever delivered by the Commonwealth.

As part of our $109 million First Nations justice package, the Albanese Government has committed $79 million to supporting up to 30 community-led justice reinvestment initiatives in First Nations communities across Australia.

Justice reinvestment is a long-term, community-led approach to preventing crime, improving community safety and reducing the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults and children in custody.

Following a rigorous assessment process by an independent panel, nine organisations have been selected to deliver justice reinvestment initiatives. They are:

  • Cowra Information and Neighbourhood Centre Incorporated (Cowra, NSW)
  • Nja-marleya Cultural Leaders and Justice Group Ltd (Maningrida, NT)
  • Anindilyakwa Royalties Aboriginal Corporation (Groote Eylandt, NT)
  • Ngurratjuta/Pmara Ntjarra Aboriginal Corporation (Central Australia, NT)
  • Cherbourg Wellbeing Indigenous Corporation (Cherbourg, QLD)
  • Gindaja Treatment and Healing Indigenous Corporation (Yarrabah, QLD)
  • Townsville Community Justice Group Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation (Townsville, QLD)
  • Emama Nguda Aboriginal Corporation (Derby, WA)
  • Ebenezer Aboriginal Corporation (Balga, WA)

The initiatives the Government is announcing today are in addition to the two initiatives that received early funding for justice reinvestment in Halls Creek, WA and Alice Springs, NT.

Applications for funding under the Government’s justice reinvestment programs continue to be open year-round, with communities encouraged to apply when they are ready to do so.

For more information regarding the programs, visit the grants website.

Attributable to Acting Attorney-General Katy Gallagher

“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are unacceptably over-represented at every point in the justice system.

“Justice reinvestment empowers First Nations communities and leaders to develop local solutions to divert people who are at risk away from the criminal justice system.

“This is a community-led approach to improving the lives of First Nations people and strengthening community safety.”

Attributable to Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney

“This is a significant step forward for our national justice reinvestment program.

“I’m so proud to be part of a government that’s truly committed to working in partnership with First Nations communities on justice reinvestment.

“Because we know that to make lasting change justice reinvestment needs to be community led, that’s why we’re ensuring First Nations communities are front and centre when it comes to creating the solutions that will deliver for their people.”