Victorian Government Betrays Aboriginal Children
Today, the Attorney-General, Jaclyn Symes, announced her decision to ditch vital bail reforms for children that would have reduced the over-incarceration of Aboriginal children and instead announced a trial of a surveillance project to monitor children. This trial could see kids being subject to monitoring and surveillance without ever being found guilty of anything. The […]
Peter Dutton cannot be allowed to sacrifice Aboriginal children’s lives
Quotes Attributable to Nerita Waight, CEO of the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service: “Our children deserve to be safe and have the support they need to live a good life, connected to culture, community, and Country.” “It is incredibly distressing to see Peter Dutton and the Federal Coalition seek to enter a Bill that would take […]
Scathing report on substandard prison healthcare for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People
People in custody deserve healthcare that matches the standard of healthcare in the community. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities have been advocating for culturally safe healthcare in custody for many years. Substandard prison healthcare remains a significant driver of Aboriginal deaths in custody. Following a year long investigation, the Victorian Ombudsman today tabled a […]
Liberal Party bail policy is dangerous and nasty
Just months after Victoria’s bail laws were changed, the Liberal Party have introduced a Bill to reinstate the old bail laws that destroyed families and communities. Victoria’s bail laws were changed last year after the Coroner found them to be a “complete and unmitigated disaster” during an inquest into the passing of Veronica Nelson – […]
Heather Calgaret Coronial Inquest to examine healthcare and parole system
Heather Calgaret was a proud Yamatji, Noongar, Wongi and Pitjantjatjara woman. She loved her culture and enjoyed painting and writing. Heather was the rock of her family, always helping and caring for everyone. As a child, Heather loved school and would pretend to be a teacher. She would put all her toys in a row […]
VALS supports ASU members for Palestine day of action
VALS supports the planned day of action on Thursday 22 February and will allow staff to participate in the action. The day of action is designed to encourage employers to call for an end to violence and for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza and across all of Israel and Palestine. VALS made a […]
Ngaweeyan Maar-oo Media Release: Report shows more accountability and transparency needed to Close the Gap
The Productivity Commission today released its final report into the review of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap (National Agreement). The report’s findings highlight the disappointing and piecemeal progress on implementation of the National Agreement. This comes as no surprise to Michael Graham, Co-Chair of Ngaweeyan Maar-oo and CEO of the Victorian Aboriginal Health […]
Closing the Gap not making a difference in child protection and the criminal legal system
VALS wants governments to take bigger steps towards Closing the Gap and establishing real Aboriginal self-determination. VALS supports many community members with child protection and legal matters every day and the Closing the Gap Agreement is not making a difference on the ground for them. The Productivity Commission has today published its Review of the […]
One year after Inquest findings, more must be done to honour Veronica Nelson
Veronica Nelson was a proud Gunditjmara, Dja Dja Wurrung, Wiradjuri and Yorta Yorta woman who should still be alive today. Veronica passed away in the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre Prison on 2 January 2020. The Coroner found that Veronica’s death was preventable and made extensive recommendations to ensure no-one suffers the same torturous treatment as […]
Shepparton Wills Clinic
Do you have a Will? You may be eligible to have your Will, Power of Attorney & Medical Decision Maker documents drafted by us. Date: Monday 5th and 12th February 2023Time: Mon 5th – 9.30am: compulsory info session– appointments to give instructionsMonday 12th – appointments to sign documentsWhere: Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative Elders Facility, 95 Ford […]
VALS Statement In Solidarity With Palestinians
Click here to read the statement.
The colony has spoken yet again, Aboriginal rights don’t matter.
VALS has advocated for the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) to be legislated in Australia for many years. We are deeply frustrated that the Federal Government shut down debate on this important issue in Parliament yesterday. Twice in one year, Aboriginal rights that are protected under international law have been […]
First step to Justice for Jeffrey Winmar
Today the family of Jeffrey Winmar will attend the Coroners Court of Victoria for the first directions hearing into the passing of Jeffrey Winmar. It is the beginning of a long journey towards justice for Jeffrey. Jeffrey was a 28-year-old Noongar man. He was a beloved son, father, uncle, brother, grandson, and cousin to many. […]
VALS/VEOHRC Community Consultation RSVP
The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) is hosting a First Nations community consultation on racial and religious vilification and discrimination, with the support of VALS. We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands that work on in what is now called Victoria. We pay our respects to Elders, past and present. We […]
Family of Jeffrey Winmar call for justice at vigil
The family of 28-year-old Noongar man Jeffrey Winmar have held a vigil for their beloved son, father, uncle, brother, and cousin, who tragically died in police custody in Victoria earlier this month. Family, friends and supporters gathered at Dardi Munwurro in Preston on Friday 17th November to call for the truth about what happened to […]