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 […]
Primary school aged children still held criminally responsible, hardly the headline of a progressive government.
Aboriginal children should grow up with their family in safe and nurturing homes, connected to their culture and community, be supported to go to school, and learn from their mistakes so they can thrive. Today the Youth Justice Act 2024 will commence – meaning the criminal age of responsibility in Victoria has risen from 10 […]
Heartfelt, moving and impactful: The family of Clinton Austin show strength as they read their coronial impact statements in court.
Quotes Attributable to Shaun Austin, brother of Clinton Austin: “My name is Shaun Austin. I am the elder twin brother of Clinton. I have already given a statement to the court about Clinton, who he was, what it was like growing up together, and what happened in his life leading to his passing. It’s hard […]
Victoria’s carceral colonial project continues with the return to unjust bail laws
Australian governments have been telling Aboriginal people for 237 years that they know “what’s best” for us. Last night the government rammed through the second round of bad bail laws, ignoring the calls of VALS, the Aboriginal Justice Caucus, the Koorie Youth Council and over 100 organisations in the community sector. They did not take […]
Heather Calgaret’s life was precious, and her passing was preventable: Coroner delivers damning findings around prison healthcare and parole systems
After almost four years since the tragic passing of Heather Calgaret, following an incredibly painful and burdensome journey for her family, Coroner Sarah Gebert has delivered the findings and recommendations from the coronial inquest into Heather’s passing. Today the Coroner found that not only was Heather’s passing preventable, but that she should not have passed […]
Truth requires action: Victorian Government must deliver on Yoorrook Justice Commission commitments
Aboriginal Communities across Victoria have been loud and clear in calling for self-determined solutions to address historic and ongoing injustices caused by the state of Victoria. The delivery of the Yoorrook Justice Commission’s ‘Yoorrook for Transformation’ Report to Victorian Parliament this week was a historic moment in acknowledging the Truth-telling journey and paving a path […]
Locking up children will be Premier Allan’s legacy: that’s nothing to boast about.
Today the Victorian government will introduce “post and boast” laws that will entrench the criminalisation for young people. Under the new laws, they could be sentenced with up to 2 years additional imprisonment for posting on social media about an offence they committed, such as aggravated burglary, armed robbery and carjacking. This is yet another […]
Victoria’s Budget shows that what matters most is fiscal injustice and bad policy
The Victorian Government is celebrating a Budget today that, in their own words, is “Focused On What Matters Most”. It appears what matters most in the justice space to this government is doubling down on repeating mistakes of the past, by continuing to expand investment in police and corrections – rather than committing to long […]
Supporting more Aboriginal people in Victoria: Changes to VALS’ eligibility testing
As of 1st May 2025, VALS will increase its means test threshold to $117,194. We will now be able to assist Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people where the primary income earner of their household earns less than $117,194 per annum. VALS is committed to improving access to justice and high quality culturally safe legal […]
The silence of complacency: empty rhetoric will cost lives
Last night’s budget shows where on the priority list Aboriginal peoples are. Prime Minister Albanese is pursuing popular votes for the upcoming election, rather than showing leadership on the issues that affect us, and for the generations to come. It is clear that our people’s vote doesn’t matter, so the federal budget has remained largely […]
Media Statements from Day 1 of Coronial Inquest into the passing of Clinton Austin
Statement attributable to Shaun Austin, brother of Clinton Austin: “My name is Shaun Austin. I am a Gundijtmara and Wiradjuri man. I am Clinton’s twin brother. I’m also here with our family members – too many to name. Clinton was not just my twin brother, but my best friend, my mentor and teacher who taught me […]