Aborginal Legal Service are funded by the Federal Government to assist the Aborginal community in legal issues they may be facing. Due to funding cuts the ALS are not able to represent within the Lithgow to Penrith area, leaving Katoomba unable to access the services of ALS. This has left many aboriginal people including myself facing the court system unrepresented.

I have been charged with an offence that i am innocent of. I've reached out to ALS for assistance. I was told that ALS no longer can represent in the Katoomba Court due to funding cuts so my only other option is Legal Aid. But  I do not fit there criteria so they  just refer me back to ALS. I was told to get my case sent down to the Penrith local court where  ALS would be able to represent me. At Penrith, the  judge said that I cannot have my case heard there if it was only so I could access ALS, the legal service I am entitled to. I was sent back to Katoomba court and again was now left unrepresented and facing penalties.

I have reached out to local MP Trish Doyle, office for help regarding legal assistance and received  the reply: "Access to Legal Aid has been severely restricted due to govt cut-backs which is dreadful and means many people are in the position of facing court unrepresented.” The reply also said “There isn’t anything directly that (we) can do."

We need the Government to understand that these cutbacks are leaving people like myself facing the criminal system unrepresented. I have reached out to every possible service I can with no luck getting any legal assistance. We need the funding so the Aboriginal community in all areas can have access to the services they need. Why should living in a particular area limit the services available. It’s appalling that this is happening. There is a higher risk of being found guilty and locked up if you are not represented in the court. This situation leaves the aboriginal people of the Blue mountains more vulnerable to more black deaths in custody and harrasment from police.  

Please sign this petition and support getting more funding for the ALS so it can represent and help the Aborginal People of Blue Mountains.