Victoria Police are failing their duty of care to Aboriginal people in their custody.
On Thursday 19thth February, the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS) sought an emergency injunction on behalf of our client Nathan, a proud Gunaikurnai man, who was experiencing abhorrent conditions and treatment in police cells, which led to significant concern for his welfare. The emergency injunction sought an urgent transfer for Nathan to be moved from […]
St Vincent’s Hospital charged for failing to keep Makalie safe
The Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS) welcomes WorkSafe’s decision to charge St Vincent’s hospital with two offences following the tragic and preventable passing of Makalie Watts-Owen, a proud Tagalaka, Kukatja and Worimi woman. Makalie passed away in St Vincent’s mental health unit in February 2024, just after her 24th birthday. Her mother Sharon Watts has […]
Jacinta Allan is actively dismantling once protected principles of the legal system
As the final sitting week of Parliament for the year comes to a close, VALS condemns the Allan Labor government’s suite of regressive reforms introduced throughout this year that have actively dismantled the principles of justice; fairness, equality and access. It is a deplorable state of affairs. What began with bail laws, which has led to the mass pre-trial incarceration of our children and adults, to the expansion of police powers, […]
Putting under-trained PSOs in shopping centres with handguns is a danger to us all
The introduction of the Justice Legislation Amendment (Police and Other Matters) Bill 2025 to the Victorian Parliament has caused distress among community legal centres and Aboriginal legal services. Community legal centres strongly oppose the expansion of Protective service officers’ powers. We have been blindsided by these announcements, with no consultation on the plan to expand […]
Boundaries are one thing Premier, giving children life sentences shows Victoria is a cruel and unforgiving state
VALS strongly condemns the Victorian government’s introduction of inhumane youth legal reforms which will see tougher sentencing laws including children being sentenced to life. It is clear the government holds no hope for young people who make mistakes and instead require targeted support at a critical time to change the trajectory of their young lives. […]
Treaty is the only path forward
The Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service supports Treaty. On Tuesday as the Statewide Treaty Bill was debated in Parliament, the Liberal party announced not only that they would repeal it within the first 100 days if elected next November but that their proposed model would instead establish a new advisory body, that would sit within a […]
Putting under-trained PSOs in shopping centres with handguns is a danger to us all
The introduction of the Justice Legislation Amendment (Police and Other Matters) Bill 2025 to the Victorian Parliament has caused distress among community legal centres and Aboriginal legal services. Community legal centres strongly oppose the expansion of Protective service officers’ powers. We have been blindsided by these announcements, with no consultation on the plan to expand […]
Boundaries are one thing Premier, giving children life sentences shows Victoria is a cruel and unforgiving state
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Boundaries are one thing Premier, giving children life sentences shows Victoria is a cruel and unforgiving state
VALS strongly condemns the Victorian government’s introduction of inhumane youth legal reforms which will see tougher sentencing laws including children being sentenced to life. It is clear the government holds no hope for young people who make mistakes and instead require targeted support at a critical time to change the trajectory of their young lives. […]
Treaty is the only path forward
The Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service supports Treaty. On Tuesday as the Statewide Treaty Bill was debated in Parliament, the Liberal party announced not only that they would repeal it within the first 100 days if elected next November but that their proposed model would instead establish a new advisory body, that would sit within a […]