Conference Welcome

CONFERENCE WELCOME

Invitation

The National Association of Community Legal Centres and the Northern Territory Association of Community Legal Centres invite you to register for the annual National Conference of Community Legal Centres in Darwin.

We acknowledge the Larrakia Nation and pay our respects to the elders.

The theme of this year’s Conference is ‘Just Is as Just does – CLCs working for Justice’.

The conference will have a strong focus on Indigenous rights and the service we are delivering to our Indigenous communities.

We will emphasise that justice is integrally about what you do and how you do it and is not achieved by the mere creating and/or enforcing of rules and regulations. CLCs listen to their communities, learn from their experiences and support their solutions. The National Conference enables us to share our skills and tactics to use the law creatively to achieve just solutions for our clients and communities.

So we will share ideas and strategies for practical Doing Justice -putting our resources where our communities are. We learn from each other and our communities about inclusive solutions, ensuring our practices work towards ‘just’ doing. While funders and governments may ‘count beans’ we measure the quality of our work in delivering just outcomes.

Keynote speakers include Barbara Shaw from the Mount Nancy Town Camp in Alice Springs; Maureen Colley, Office of the Commonwealth Ombudsman; Priscilla Collins, Chief Executive Officer, North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency; Donna Craig, Co-Director, Environmental Law Centre, Macquarie University, Sydney; Malarndirri McCarthy MLA, Member for Arnhem and Chair of the NT Statehood Steering Committee, Northern Territory Parliament; and Joe Morrison, Executive Officer, North Australian Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance (NAILSMA.

Another conference theme is the centrality of access to justice in any effective social inclusion program. A social inclusion agenda cannot be successful unless it ensures access to justice. For socially excluded people the legal system is often unclear, frequently inaccessible and routinely unfair.

The conference is a time to look around us and see what we have done and appreciate how remarkable our centres and how resilient our communities are.

Meetings of CLC Networks will precede the conference. We encourage CLC Networks to use the Conference as an opportunity to get together.

As always the conference will operate in a climate of shared experience, stunning legal expertise, networking, talking, thinking, planning, plotting and ‘just’ enjoying the company of kindred spirits.

So we invite you and your associates to Darwin in 2008 to meet together - to do justice.

Liz O’Brien – NACLC Convenor

WELCOME RECEPTION

The Welcome Reception will be held on Sunday 17 August from 5.30 – 7 pm. The Minister for Justice and Attorney-General of the Northern Territory, Dr Christopher Burns MLA, is hosting the Conference Welcome Reception at the NT Parliament House (cnr Mitchell and Herbert Streets).

CONFERENCE DINNER

The dinner will be held on Tuesday 19 August at the Darwin Sailing Club, Atkins Drive, Fannie Bay, from 7-11pm. This year, unfortunately, the dinner cost is NOT included in the cost of your registration. The cost of the dinner is $55 per head (including GST) and is separate to the conference registration. There will be a cash bar on the night for drinks.

MAKING THE CONFERENCE ACCESSIBLE

The Conference Organising Committee is committed to making this Conference accessible. Please provide advice about your support needs: attendant care, interpreter services, dietary requirements, document translation, child-care or any other adjustments needed to enhance your participation, to NACLC as soon as possible.

BACKGROUND

There are around 200 CLCs in Australia run by local community people from all walks of life. They are independent non-government (although some are Government funded), community based, not for profit organisations. They provide a range of legal and related services to disadvantaged people in the community and for public interest. Legal centres witness at close range the growing inequities between the ‘haves’ and the ‘have nots’ in Australian society. This will be the 29th conference of Australian CLCs.

Network Meetings Program

National CLC Networks will be meeting prior to the conference. Networks that are meeting for more than one day may need to charge network participants a small fee to assist with cost recovery. Network coordinators will inform you of these details.

Please telephone or BBS the network contact person listed here for details regarding:

Cost of attendance

Venue and Date of meeting

Please indicate, by ticking ONE box, the Network Meeting you will be attending. This will help to ensure that we book appropriate venues:

Administrators

Carol Benda (02) 6257 4377 e:

Child Support

Carolyne Turner (02) 4276 2535 e:

Clinical Legal Education

Shirley Southgate (02) 9385 9566 e:

Community Legal Education Workers (CLEWS)

No convenor at present. If you are interested in meeting please contact Sarah Mitchell at NACLC (02) 9264 9595 e:

Disability Rights

Geri Kaufman (02) 9310 7722 e:

Australian Network of Environmental Defenders Offices Inc (ANEDO)

Brendan Sydes (03) 8341 3100 e:

Employment

Linda Tucker (02) 9398 6366 e:

National Association of Tenant Organisations (NATO)

Penny Carr (07) 3257 1411 e:

National Human Rights Network

Teena Balgi (02) 9385 9566 e:

Mental Health

Sophie Delaney (03) 9629 4422 e:

Older Persons

Peter Noble (03) 5444 4364 e:

Regional Rural Remote (RRR)

Lee Milcherdy (07) 4194 2663 e:

Welfare Rights [members only]

Genevieve Bolton (02) 6247 2177 e:

Women’s Network

Kristen Wallwork (08) 8972 1712 e:

Youth Network

James McDougall (02) 9385 9588 e:

REGISTRATION FORM

TAX INVOICE 2008

Just Is as Just Does – CLCs Working for Justice

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”

Dr Martin Luther King Jr

NATIONAL CLC CONFERENCE

Darwin, NT 17-20 August 2008

Personal Information

Title

First Name

Surname

Organisation

Job Title

Address for Correspondence

Postcode State

Country

TelephoneWork

Mobile

Facsimile

Email Address

A confirmation letter will be emailed to you when payment has been received.

Do You Have Any Individual Needs?

Personal support Hearing Loop

 Sign interpreter  Other interpreter

 Mobility Requirements [please provide details]

 Wheelchair access

Childcare (please advise number of children, ages, what day and how many hours). Information is required by 18 July]

 Dietary requirements

Conference Registration [All prices include GST]

CLC and other community organisations

early bird registration before 10 July 2008 (excl dinner)$495.00

CLC/community full registration non early bird (excl dinner)$577.00

 Day & students full registration (excl. dinner)$200.00

 Full Student registration (excl.dinner)$200.00

Non CLC/community full registration (excl dinner)$850.00

Non CLC/community day registration (excl. dinner)$300.00

Registration for WELCOME RECEPTION Sunday 17 August, 5:30-7pm

DO NOT PAY SEPARATELY FOR THE WELCOME RECEPTION IF YOU ARE ATTENDING THE FULL CONFERENCE.

Conference delegate (please tick if attending)Included

Guest (please provide name) ______

Registration for DINNER Tuesday 19 August 7-11pm

NOT INCLUDED IN CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FEE.

Conference delegate (please tick if attending)$55.00

Guest (please provide name)______$55.00

(A cash bar will operate at the dinner – beverages are not included).

Payment Details -

Forward registration form with cheque, payable to:

National Association of Community Legal Centres (ABN: 67 757 001 303)

PO Box A2245, Sydney South NSW 1235, Australia

Telephone: 02 9264 9595 Fax: 02 9264 9594

ACCOMMODATION

All delegates will need to book and pay for their own accommodation.

The National Conference is being held during Darwin's peak holiday season and hotels are already booked out. Please book your accommodation as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Arrangements have been made with the following hotels for a limited number of rooms.

There is no more accommodation available at the Holiday Inn Esplanade (the conference venue).

HOLIDAY INN Darwin

Next door to the conference venue

$210 p.n. (includes 1 Breakfast)

122 The Esplanade, Darwin

70 Rooms Held – 25 Still Available

Call Ph: 138 388 Please state there is a group booking for the NACLC Conference and Quote NA3

CROWNE PLAZA

Walking distance to the conference venue

$230pn (includes 1 Breakfast)

32 Mitchell Street, Darwin

60 Rooms held – 35 Rooms still available

Call Ph: 138 388 Please state there is a group booking for the NACLC Conference and Quote NA2

Please note a credit card is necessary to secure all bookings.

Alternative Accommodation

Please call or email Territory Discoveries on 1800 642 343 (toll free) or and quote NACLC Conference. Territory Discoveries will endeavor to find you the closest accommodation to the conference venue within your budget. They are sometimes able to obtain rooms at hotels that advertise as booked out.

Territory Discoveries can also assist with flights, tour and transfer requirements. Visit

The Northern Territory Tourist website also has general information about visiting the NT.

Last minute cheap deals

GETTING AROUND

Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin Blue and Tiger Airways fly to Darwin. Please consult the websites of each airline or your travel agent for flight details.

The Darwin Airport Shuttle meets all flights at Darwin Airport. Transfers are provided from the airport to accommodation in Darwin, and return transfers pick-up from local accommodation. Bookings are not required. They have offered all delegates for the NACLC conference a special rate of $8 per person each way / $14 return. Please tell them you are a delegate at the NACLC conference to receive the special rate. Phone (freecall, NT only) 1800 358 945 or (08) 8981 5066 for more information.

It is approximately a 15-20 minute cab-ride into the Darwin city centre (10 km). The fare is approximately $25.

Taxis

Darwin Radio Taxis 131 008

Yellow Cab Co.131 924

City Radio Taxis(08) 8981 3777

Wheelchair accessible cabs are available.

Network Meeting Transport

The venue for the network meetings is Charles Darwin University. The university is approximately 12km from the Darwin city centre. A shuttle bus will be run from the conference venue to the University throughout the day. The university can also be reached on Local Bus Route 4. The journey takes approx 40 minutes from Darwin city centre and costs $2 one way.

Welcome Reception Transport

The venue for the Welcome Reception is the NT Parliament House, located on the corner of Mitchell and Herbert Streets. It is within walking distance of the conference venue.

Dinner Transport

The venue for the conference dinner on Tuesday night is the Darwin Sailing Club, located at Fannie Bay. Local Bus Route 4 goes to Fannie Bay where the Sailing Club is located. It is about a 10 minute ride from the city centre and costs $2.

A taxi from the city centre to the dinner venue costs approx $12.

Most public buses are wheelchair accessible. For timetables go to or call (08) 8924 7666.

CHILDCARE PROGRAM 2008

Childcare will be available during the conference.

It is available from 8.30 am – 5.30 pm on Sunday and from 9 am to 5.30 pm Monday and Tuesday and 9 am – 1 pm on Wednesday.

On Tuesday night, during the conference dinner, childcare is available from 6.30 - 11 pm but please note, children must be given dinner by their parents.

A programme of activities will be available for school-aged children (over 5) as well as care facilities for under 5’s. The programme is still being finalised.

If you are attending the conference with children, who require care, please contact the Conference Organiser as soon as possible to let her know how many and their ages.before 18 July 2008.

2008 Conference Organising Committee

Liz O’Brien, NACLC Convenor

Toni Luu / Sarah Mitchell, NACLC Office

Alison Broughton-Wright, Central Australian Women's Legal Service

Rachel Carey, EDO NT

Angela Dowling & Joni Assan, North Australian Aboriginal Family Violence Legal Service

Jane Hutchison, Hobart Community Legal Service, Tasmania

Caitlin Perry & Emma King, Darwin Community Legal Service

Kristen Wallwork, Katherine Women’s Information and Legal Service

Joanna Martin, Top End Women's Legal Service

Susan Bothmann, Arts Law Centre of Queensland

Conference Organiser

For all enquiries contact: Marilyn Hall

Telephone: (02) 8904 9555 Facsimile: (02) 8904 9333

Email:

Back cover p4

CONFERENCE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To provide an interesting, stimulating and accessible Conference
To provide a wide variety of workshops and event opportunities
To promote law reform that enhances peoples’ human rights, the environment and access to justice
To enrich the community legal centre sector
To promote the further development of strategic alliances

The Conference will appeal to:

CLC workers, volunteers, administrators and managers
community development workers
legal aid workers
counsellors and educators
researchers and policy workers
lawyers and paralegals

paralegal staff

providers of other community services
private legal practitioners
public administrators and policy makers
academics and students
workers in other related areas

This year’s conference is jointly organised by the Northern Territory Association of Community Legal Centres and the National Association of Community Legal Centres (NACLC).

Programme

The conference programme will follow a similar structure to last year’s. There will be an opening plenary session with keynote speakers, followed by workshops. There will also be aplenary sessions on Monday afternoon, Tuesday morning and Tuesday afternoon. Between the plenaries, wto bring the conference delegates together. A number of choices will be offered in each session - they will be 90 minute workshops. orkshops will be offered. They will be 90 minutes long.

A tech room will be available for CLSIS, BBS and general IT training and for delegates to use during the conference.

CONFERENCE SPEAKERS

Malarndirri McCarthy MLA

Malarndirri McCarthy is a Yanyuwa woman from Borroloola in the Northern Territory and was elected to the Northern Territory Parliament as the Labor Member for Arnhem in 2005. She is Chair of the Legal & Constitutional Affairs Committee and the Statehood Steering Committee. Malarndirri will be speaking about the issue of the constitutional status of the Territory in relation to human rights, particularly in relation to rights of Indigenous people and recognition of customary law.

Priscilla Collins

Priscilla Collins is an Eastern Arrernte woman from Central Australia. She is the Chief Executive Ofﬁ cer of the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA), a non-proﬁ t company that provides high quality and culturally appropriate legal aid services for Indigenous people in the Top End of the Northern Territory. Priscilla will be speaking about the NT Emergency Response (the Intervention) and Welfare Rights.

Professor Donna Craig

Donna Craig is an academic and specialist practitioner in the area of international and national environmental law and policy. She is currently Professor in Law and the Co-Director of the Environmental Law Centre at Macquarie University and Director of their Indigenous rights research program, member of the Northern Territory Environmental Protection Authority, foundation and continuing member of Advisory Board of Greenland-based International Training Center of Indigenous Peoples (ITCIP), and Regional Governor of the International Council on Environmental Law. Donna will be speaking about environmental justice and Indigenous rights.

Florrie Alalo (speaker TBC)

Joe Morrison

Joe Morrison is both Dagoman and Torres Strait Islander, and comes from Katherine, NT. He has worked closely with Traditional Owners across northern Australia on natural and cultural resource management for 17 years. He is the foundation Director of the North Australian Indigenous Land & Sea Management Alliance, an Indigenous NGO. He believes that Indigenous people and their Knowledge have much to contribute to managing country, and dealing with climate change impacts, but a lot has to be done to ensure that the dominant paradigm accepts IK and ﬁrst Australians as a legitimate contributor. Joe will speak about the impacts of climate change on Indigenous peoples.

Overseas Delegation (TBC)

As with the conference in 2007, we are hoping that we will be able to bring a delegation from Asia and the Paciﬁc, who will speak about the challenges they face and their perspectives on human rights, climate change and other issues, at the Tuesday afternoon plenary session.