Federal Court does not recognise age pension discrimination, despite Australian Government’s failure to close life expectancy gap
The Federal Court of Australia has dismissed the legal challenge seeking fair and equal access to the age pension for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Proud Wakka Wakka man Uncle Dennis* brought the case in which the Federal Government faced court for the first time in connection with its failure to close the gap […]
Minister Anthony Carbines refused to properly consult on legislation
MEDIA RELEASE 8 June 2022Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS) The Minister for Child Protection and Family Services, Anthony Carbines, has introduced the Aboriginal Statement of Recognition Bill today despite not providing VALS with an opportunity to meaningfully engage in the development of the proposed legislation We have serious concerns about the impact of this Bill, […]
Case challenging age pension discrimination for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people heads to Full Federal Court
31 May 2022JOINT MEDIA RELEASE (HRLC and VALS) The Federal Court has ordered that a case against the Federal Government, seeking fair and equal access to the age pension for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, will be heard by the Full Court of the Federal Court later this year to determine important questions of […]
Case challenging age pension discrimination for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people returns to court
27 May 2022JOINT MEDIA RELEASE (HRLC and VALS) A Federal Court case against the federal government, seeking fair and equal access to the Age Pension for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, will return to court today for an interim hearing. Proud Wakka Wakka man Uncle Dennis* brought the case that will require the federal […]
The Andrews Government fails to invest in essential Aboriginal legal services again
MEDIA RELEASE 3 May 2022Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS) Today the Andrews Government chose once again to leave the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS) dangerously underfunded. Perversely, this is the eighth consecutive Andrews Government budget that continues to endanger Aboriginal legal services. This failure means more of our children will be removed from their families, […]
Veronica Marie Nelson: Inquest Begins Today
JOINT MEDIA RELEASE 26 April 2022Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS), Dhadjowa Foundation and Robinson Gill Lawyers The Coronial Inquest into the death in custody of Veronica Nelson begins today. The Inquest will examine the cause and circumstances of Veronica’s passing at Dame Phyllis Frost Centre on 2 January 2020. It will examine the adequacy of […]
Decriminalisation of public intoxication must be done right
MEDIA RELEASE 23 April 2022Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS) Over 30 years ago, the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody (RCIADIC) recommended decriminalising public intoxication in all states and territories across Australia. Of the 99 Aboriginal deaths in custody that were investigated by the RCAIDIC, 35% involved Aboriginal people who were detained in relation […]
Failure in Government policy sees First Nations peoples lose millions in funeral fund collapse
Joint Media ReleaseThursday 17 March 2022 “Youpla preyed on the community’s financial vulnerability around sorry business and used fear and misinformation to sell their poor value products,” Chief Executive Officer Nerita Waight said. “The Australian Government need to cover the losses suffered by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who had a Youpla policy. The […]
Victoria’s Stolen Generations Redress Scheme is a step on a journey towards justice
MEDIA RELEASE 3 March 2022Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS) Content warning: this document contains discussions of abuse and trauma VALS acknowledges and pays our respects to the members of the Stolen Generations. In Victoria, the Stolen Generations started as early as 1837 when the Church Missionary Society set up the Yarra Mission for Aboriginal children. […]
Public health response crucial to public intoxication reforms
MEDIA RELEASE 19 February 2022Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS) A new model for responding to public intoxication is due to take affect in November, but there are still many questions about how the reform will be implemented. VALS believes that it is crucial that Aboriginal services are properly funded to play an important role in […]