Stability for our children and families is connection to Culture and community
The Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS) welcomes the passage of the Children, Youth & Families (Stability) Bill 2025 (Stability Bill). The legislation is a positive and long awaited first step toward addressing a longstanding injustice of Victoria’s child protection system, which has resulted in the permanent separation of Aboriginal children from their families, communities, and […]
Alarming pursuit of denying bail: Allan’s single minded approach will cause high harm
Last week, the Allan Labor Government introduced the Bail Further Amendment Bill 2025. The Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service, The Koorie Youth Council, The Aboriginal Justice Caucus, Federation of Community Legal Centres, Human Rights Law Centre and the Law and Advocacy Centre for Women collectively condemn the Allan Labor Government for their single-minded pursuit of a […]
Stop Tranche Two: Another unmitigated disaster waiting to happen
VALS, the Aboriginal Justice Caucus (AJC), the Koorie Youth Council (KYC), the Federation of Community Legal Centres (FCLC) and the Human Rights Law Centre (HRLC) are urging the Victorian Government to not proceed with tranche two of the proposed bail amendments being introduced in the final sitting week of July, as announced by Premier Allan […]
Strengthening Practice, Upholding Justice: First Nations-led Cultural Capability Framework Launches
The Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS), alongside Victoria Legal Aid and the Law Institute of Victoria, is proud to announce the launch of a landmark initiative to improve the experiences of First Nations peoples seeking legal advice and representation in Victoria. The First Nations Cultural Capability Framework is a First Nations-led, Australia-first collaborative effort that […]
Premier Allan’s complete disregard for human rights shows flawed logic and bad policy prevails
Earlier this year, VALS warned the Allan Labor Government that tightening the bail laws would be a costly and dangerous mistake for Aboriginal people. So, the Victorian Premier’s announcement of ill-informed funding for corrections facilities this morning came as no surprise. The Victorian Government’s announcement of $727m into Victoria’s prisons is an inevitable outcome due […]
Community groups welcome passage of hate speech protections in Victoria
Community legal centres welcome the passage of the Justice Legislation Amendment (Anti-vilification and Social Cohesion) Bill through the Victorian Parliament upper house with amendments to strengthen how it will work in practice. Community legal centres welcome the passage of the Justice Legislation Amendment (Anti-vilification and Social Cohesion) Bill through the Victorian Parliament upper house with […]
Allan Government rams through dangerous and discriminatory bail laws, repeating mistakes of the past
Bail saves lives, but early this morning the Allan Government rammed through dangerous and discriminatory bail laws which will deeply harm Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and breach human rights. The laws have been condemned by 93 Aboriginal, human rights, community, family violence and legal organisations, and will needlessly lock away more people – […]
Bail Saves Lives: Poccum’s Law is the Way Forward
Today, VALS alongside 92 representatives of ACCOs, community services, family violence and legal sectors stand together to launch our open letter ‘Bail Saves Lives: Poccum’s Law is the Way Forward’. As a collective voice, we strongly condemn the suite of knee-jerk bail law changes that will be introduced to Parliament this week. We know they […]
Granting Bail Saves Lives: Poccum’s Law is the only way forward
VALS condemns the Allan government’s knee-jerk announcements that it wishes to return to the mistakes of the past and reintroduce the worst of Victoria’s previous bail laws. Victoria’s previous bail laws were an ‘unmitigated disaster’ that directly lead to the tragic and preventable death of proud Gunditjmara, Dja Dja Wurrung, Wiradjuri and Yorta Yorta woman […]
Parliamentary Inquiry into the Regulation of Cannabis – Introductory Speech by VALS – Ali Besiroglu, Director of Legal Services
I thank the Committee for the opportunity to speak about this important issue on behalf of the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service. Before I begin, I’ll start by acknowledging the Wurundjeri Woiwurrung people as the Traditional Owners of the land that I am on today and pay my respects to their Elders, past and present. We […]
Granting bail saves lives: Premier’s review shows blatant disregard for Aboriginal communities
Premier Allan’s announcement of a premature review into Victoria’s bail law reforms is proof that her Government cares more about polling numbers than keeping our communities safe. Only 10 months ago, Victoria’s bail reforms came into effect. These reforms were the result of extensive advocacy from Aboriginal communities, legal experts and the family of Veronica […]
Coroner calls yet again for Aboriginal Health Organisations to take control of ‘fragmented’ prison health care
Michael Suckling was a proud Aboriginal man and loving father, brother and son. Michael was known for his sense of humour and loved having a laugh with his family and mates. Michael enjoyed being active outdoors. Michael tragically died at Ravenhall Prison on 7 March 2021 leaving his family, friends and community devastated. On 24 […]
Statements in relation to findings from the Coronial Inquest into the passing of Baby L
Please find below statements in relation to findings from the Coronial Inquest into the passing of Baby L. Mother of Baby L “I have spent over five years waiting for answers about why my daughter passed away. I feel disappointed and heartbroken that the Coroner didn’t give me that closure. The grief only gets harder […]
Business as usual isn’t good enough – Aboriginal people deserve more from the Victorian Government
Aboriginal communities in Victoria deserve better. That is why Victoria has been walking the path to Truth and Treaty. The path is not easy and requires the full commitment of government. Since its establishment, the Yoorrook Justice Commission has heard clear and ample evidence that Aboriginal self-determination is the way forward for our communities. Yet […]
Annual General Meeting 2023-24
Date: 22nd November 2024Time: 11:00am-1:00pmLocation: Online (see AGM notice below for details) There are 5 Board positions to be elected. Nomination forms are below. Click here to download the Notice of the Annual General Meeting. Click here to download a membership form. Click here to download a Board Member nomination form. Click here to download […]