Hey look at us!
Welcome to the new look Community Legal Centres Queensland. You may have noticed that we have changed our name from QAILS. Community Legal Centres Queensland provides a practical and recognisable brand that serves to strengthen the connection between us and the community.
Our new logo is set in the shape of a speech bubble, letting people know they the can contact us and we will help be their voice. The different colours represent the diverse range of people which we help and the range of services provided by community legal centres (such as free information, advice and referral, casework and representation, education and advocacy). The new name has given us an opportunity to update our website, print new posters and postcards and tell people about the work of our member centres. Let us know what you think of the changes.
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Gathering of the tribe
We ran our state conference from 30 to 31 May, 2016 at the Mon Komo Hotel, Redcliffe. This was a fantastic opportunity to bring together our members from across the state for professional development, networking and inspiration.
A total of 270 people attended the conference over the two days and included community legal centre staff, government representatives, MPs, corporate lawyers, social workers and administrators. You can access copies of the presentations here. Some of the people who attended told us:
'I thought that this year’s conference was an excellent one, in a good location and with very good and interesting speakers'.
'A genuine opportunity for CLC’s to come together to be informed, socialise, discuss and interact'.
'This is the time and place to meet people from all CLCs and related community organizations at one time'.
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Research partnership roundtable – a first for us
On 1 June, we held the inaugural research partnerships roundtable, co-hosted by the National Association of Community Legal Centres. This was a chance to showcase successful research collaborations between community legal centres and research organisations. A total of 60 researchers, academic and CLC staff came together to discuss current community legal centre research projects, possible funding sources, and to start conversations about possible research partnerships. You can access the presentations here.
One of the best parts of the event were the supercharged networking session which provided everyone with a fantastic opportunity to network with presenters, panellists and each other. Our evaluation told us that:
- 100% of participants thought there was a good balance of information and networking;
- ALRC President, Professor Rosalind Croucher AM, and our own James Farrell were rated as the most popular presenters;
- 80% of participants suggested that we develop a research strategy or research agenda to support community legal centres’ work.
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Robbin Island inmate turned Constitutional Court Judge meets community lawyers in Brisbane
The Honourable Justice Dikgang Moseneke - who once served time on Robbin Island with Nelson Mandela but is now a constitutional court judge - took time out of his very busy itinerary while in Brisbane to speak to our community lawyers and human rights advocates.
He gave a short but very moving presentation at the DLA Piper Offices on 13 June. He spoke about his work and the importance of protection and promoting human rights and was an inspiration to all that heard him present.
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#fundequaljustice
In the run up to the federal election, Queensland community legal centres and our supporters have been busy campaigning to #fundequaljustice.
We recently wrote a letter to all Queensland Candidates, and you can read their responses. We issued media releases in relation to funding announcements and encouraged centres to particpate in Community Law Australia's social media day of action.
These issues were also discussed in detail at the debate between George Brandis and Mark Dreyfus on Monday.
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Speaking websites
We are delighted that Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department will be providing funding to integrate BrowseAloud into some of our members websites. This will allow people with visual problems or from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to easily access websites of ten of Queensland CLCs as well as our own website.
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A number of community legal centres made submissions to the Queensland Parliament's inquiry into the need for a Human Rights Act, including QAI, ATSI Women’s Legal Service NQ, Townsville CLS, Cairns CLC, EDO Qld, YFS, YAC, LGBTI Legal and Community Legal Centres Queensland.
EDO NQ and EDO Qld recommended strengthening the Mineral and Other Legislation Amendment Bill and the Environmental Protection (Chain of Responsibility) Amendment Bill (EDO NQ, EDO Qld & Supplementary submission)
QAI proposed improvements to the Chief Psychiatrist Policies of the Mental Health Act.
QAI supported the re-introduction of the Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council.
QAI and YAC welcomed changes to youth justice laws.
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Thanks to our major funder:
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Thanks to our 2016 conference sponsors:
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