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 […]
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 […]
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 […]