2. Compendium of Priorities and Initiatives (continued)
Attorney‑General
Native title
The Government has committed an additional $50.1 million in new money over the next four years, including $4 million in 2009‑10, to improve the native title system. Overall, the additional funding will help build a more efficient native title system that delivers sustainable, long‑term outcomes for Indigenous Australians.
Prevention, Diversion, Rehabilitation and Restorative Justice Program
The Government has allocated $9.7 million in 2009‑10 to the Prevention, Diversion, Rehabilitation and Restorative Justice Program for projects that will divert Indigenous Australians away from adverse contact with the legal system.
Indigenous Legal Aid
The Government has allocated $52.5 million to provide legal aid for Indigenous Australians in 2009‑10. The Legal Aid for Indigenous Australians Program provides culturally sensitive and accessible legal aid and related services.
Law and Justice Advocacy Development Program
The Government is providing $2.5 million in 2009‑10 to the Law and Justice Advocacy Development Program, to support advocacy for the advancement of the legal rights of Indigenous Australians.
Family Violence Prevention Legal Services
The Government has committed $19.3 million in 2009‑10 to 31 Family Violence Prevention Legal Services, which provide legal and associated services to rural and remote areas with a high need for services.
Northern Territory Aboriginal Interpreter Service
The Government is providing $4.6 million over four years (2006‑07 to 2009‑10) to the Northern Territory Aboriginal Interpreter Service, which is jointly funded by the Australian Government and the Northern Territory Government.
Regional Innovations Program for Legal Services
The Government is providing $5.8 million over four years (2007‑08 to 2010‑11) to maintain legal aid services in regional, rural and remote Australia.
Disaster Resilience Australia Package
The Government will provide $79.3 million in the next four years as part of an ongoing program to strengthen efforts to combat man‑made and natural threats and disasters across Australia.
The Government's approach to disaster management focuses on community resilience and on partnerships with the states and territories. The Disaster Resilience Australia package will fund projects of national significance and will provide grants for projects that address disaster risks. Such projects might through:
- undertaking disaster mitigation works that minimise the risks to communities, including increased risks resulting from the effects of climate change
- supporting the work of volunteers in emergency management
- assisting local government to meet its emergency management responsibilities
- building partnerships with business, non‑government organisations and community groups to improve their ability to assist their communities during and following an emergency.
The package replaces a number of existing disaster mitigation programs, combining funds to allow the flexibility to address different priorities across the states and territories over time, as well as projects of national importance.
National Emergency Volunteer Support Fund
In 2009‑10, $3.2 million in funding will be disbursed through the National Emergency Volunteer Support Fund to support projects that boost the recruitment, retention and training of volunteers in agencies at the front line of emergency management. The Fund will be added to the Disaster Resilience Australia package from 1 July 2010.
Northern Territory Emergency Response
The Australian Federal Police supports the Northern Territory Emergency Response (NTER). Funding of $9.2 million was appropriated in the 2008‑09 financial year and $9.3 million has been appropriated for the 2009‑10 financial year.
The Government has also committed $80.2 million over three years (2009‑10 to 2011‑12) to the NTER for night patrol services, legal assistance services, and interpreter services and to continue the Northern Territory Welfare Rights Outreach Project. The funding builds on the $21.6 million provided to the Attorney‑General's Department in the 2008‑09 Budget for law and order services under the NTER, which included $17.7 million for night patrols.
Helping separated parents and their children
In the 2007‑08 Budget, the Government announced funding of $36.9 million over four years for two new ongoing programs. The Supporting Children after Separation Program commenced in November 2008 and is helping children in targeted high‑need areas deal with issues arising from family separation. Additionally, Post‑Separation Cooperative Parenting services are being provided in 28 regional locations to assist separated parents who are experiencing conflict that is affecting contact with their children.
Further information
Further information about these and other Attorney‑General's initiatives relating to rural and regional Australia is available at www.ag.gov.au.
Information about the National Emergency Volunteer Support Fund, the Bushfire Mitigation Program and the National Disaster Mitigation Program are available at www.ema.gov.au.
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