New client freeze at VALS due to lack of funding and increasing demand
23 June 2022 VALS has made the difficult decision to implement a new client freeze in our Criminal Law practice. This will mean that we will not be taking on new clients in the Criminal Law practice at this time. We will refer community members looking for criminal legal advice and representation to other services. […]
Submissions on behalf of Uncle Percy Lovett for the Coronial Inquest into the passing of Veronica Nelson
VALS have filed submissions on behalf of Uncle Percy Lovett. Oral submissions will take place on Thursday 14 July 2022. “Percy is hopeful that any findings and recommendations the Coroner makes will bring about real change. Too many Aboriginal people have died and continue to die in custody. These repeated deaths are preventable. They must […]
Barwon Office Opening
This NAIDOC Week, help us celebrate our new office. Date: Thursday 7 July, 2022Time: 11am to middayLocation: 173 Lava Street, Warrnambool, VIC 3280 Morning tea will be provided. Click here to download the event poster to share with community. RSVP’s have closed .
Joint letter on dangerous changes to forest protest laws
VALS were one of a dozen organisations to write a letter to the Victorian Government asking them to withdraw the Sustainable Forests Timber Amendment (Timber Harvesting Safety Zones) Bill 2022. The freedom to protest must be protected. Click here to read the open letter.
The Andrews government must not kick bail reform down the road
A Victorian parliamentary inquiry has called for an overhaul of the state’s bail laws following its review of the state’s criminal legal system. The Legal and Social Issues Committee found that Victoria’s criminal legal system does not appropriately or fairly balance the maintenance of community safety with the presumption of innocence for people accused of […]
Open Letter regarding Police Swearing In
Today fourteen legal organisations wrote a letter to Police Minister Lisa Neville, expressing serious concern about Victoria Police’s failure to correctly swear in more than 1,200 police officers over the last eight years. The open letter highlights the serious harms that this mistake has caused, and the troubling lack of reflection in the government’s rush […]
Addressing Coercive Control Without Criminalisation: Unlocking Victorian Justice Webinar
DATE: Tuesday 8 March 2022TIME: 12.45pm to 2pmREGISTRATION LINK: tinyurl.com/IWDCCVALS In January, VALS published a policy paper titled “Addressing Coercive Control Without Criminalisation: Avoiding Blunt Tools that Fail Victim-Survivors”. On International Women’s Day, VALS is hosting this webinar to continue this important conversation. In this webinar, there will be a short community legal education session […]
VALS’ Invasion Day Webinar 2022
https://youtu.be/OKLZLQo6Gq0 An all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander panel discussion about important justice issues. In the lead up to Invasion Day 2022, VALS is hosted a panel discussion about Aboriginal Self-Determination, systemic racism, ending Aboriginal deaths in custody, and protest rights. Panel Moderator: Nerita Waight, CEO of VALS Nerita is a proud Yorta Yorta woman […]
VALS’ Invasion Day Webinar
In the lead up to Invasion Day, VALS is hosting a panel discussion about Aboriginal Self-Determination, systemic racism, ending Aboriginal deaths in custody, and protest rights. Registration link: www.tinyurl.com/ID22VALSDate: Friday 21 January 2022Time: 1pm to 2pm
Ms Calgaret’s story must be told
Ms Calgaret was a kind soul and mother to her four children and her whole family. She was a proud Yamatji, Noongar, Wongi and Pitjantjatjara woman. Ms Calgaret loved her culture and enjoyed painting and writing. Ms Calgaret had so much more life to live and love to give and wanted to do make positive […]