Victorian Government kickstarts expansion of Aboriginal legal services
The Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service needs to be able to help our communities when and where they need it. A key part of our vision has been our Aboriginal Justice Hubs, our plan to expand our local office network, because we’re at our best when our communities can self-determine the services they need. Today, the […]
Mathew Luttrell Coronial Inquests recommends culturally-specific mental health services
The family of Mathew Luttrell welcome the Coroner’s recommendations to improve mental health services in Mildura and ensure that they are culturally appropriate. The family hope that the recommendations are implemented without delay. Mathew was a proud Yorta Yorta man and a father who loved his children and his partner. He was a hard worker […]
Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service will continue our hard work to keep children out of the criminal legal system
Prisons do not rehabilitate our children. Police contact is traumatising and harmful for our children. VALS has worked hard for 50 years to stop the overpolicing and overincarceration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children – and we will continue that struggle. Today the Victorian Government has announced that it will immediately raise the age […]
Statement regarding reports that Victoria will raise the age of criminal responsibility
Quotes Attributable to Nerita Waight, CEO of VALS: “The Premier promised to show leadership on raising the age of criminal responsibility and reports today that the government will only raise the age to 12 years old are incredibly disappointing.” “If the Government is considering raising the age to 14 years old in the future, why […]
The Police Association of Victoria is misleading Victorians in a shameful scare campaign
Victoria needs to invest in services that make communities stronger, not more police. Community services such as VALS’ Aboriginal Justice Hubs, which we have been trying to get Government funding for over the last 5 years, have not been invested in by Government. The Police Association of Victoria Secretary Wayne Gatt has made misleading comments […]
Poccum’s Law: the blueprint to fix the Andrews Government’s discriminatory bail laws
The family of Veronica Marie Nelson, a strong Gunditjmara, Dja Dja Wurrung, Wiradjuri and Yorta Yorta woman who passed away in custody, are calling on the Andrews government to implement urgent changes to the state’s bail laws and have asked that these reforms are referred to as Poccum’s Law. “Poccum” was the nickname Veronica received […]
VALS’ Prison Healthcare Webinar
Join us on Wednesday March 29 from 12.45pm – 1.45pm for an online panel discussion, as part of our ‘Unlocking Victorian Justice’ webinar series. This webinar will focus on the failing prison healthcare system in Victoria, which continues to let Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people die in custody. A panel of experts will discuss […]
Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service opens first ever office in Bendigo
Today, the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service officially opened its first ever office in Bendigo at 279 Hargreaves Street – Dja Dja Wurrung land. The office was officially opened by Victorian Attorney-General, Jaclyn Symes, and VALS CEO, Nerita Waight. VALS turns 50 this year, but this is the first time the Aboriginal legal service has had […]
Coronial Inquest into the death in custody of Michael Suckling to begin
Michael Suckling was an Aboriginal man. He was a loving father, son and brother. Michael was known for his sense of humour and loved having a laugh with his family and mates. Michael enjoyed being active outdoors. Michael died at Ravenhall Correctional Centre Prison on 7 March 2021. The Coronial Inquest into his passing will […]
VALS welcomes commitment to better consultation, despite ongoing concerns with proposed legislation
The Victorian Government has announced it is progressing with child protection legislation despite not consulting Aboriginal legal services. VALS has concerns regarding the efficacy of the proposed legislation and its ability to actually close the gap, as claimed. The Children and Health Legislation Amendment (Statement of Recognition, Aboriginal Self-determination and Other Matters) Bill 2023 revives […]
Premier urged not to bungle bail reform
Last week the Coroner found that Victoria’s bail laws were a “complete and unmitigated disaster” as part of the Inquest into the passing of Veronica Nelson. Uncle Percy Lovett, Veronica’s partner, has been fighting to fix the systems that failed Veronica since she died at Dame Phyllis Frost Centre Prison on 2 January 2020. Today, […]
Statements from Veronica Nelson’s family
Click here to download statements Statement by Aunty Donna Nelson, Veronica’s mother My name is Donna Nelson and I am Veronica’s mother. Veronica was my first-born child, and she was my best friend. She was kind, caring and compassionate. She was loved by her family, her community, and her friends. She was a proud Aboriginal […]
VALS’ Invasion Day Webinar 2023
Statement on bail reform reports
Quotes Attributable to Nerita Waight, CEO of VALS: “The Victorian Government said punitive bail laws would make communities safer. In reality, these laws have led to a massive increase in the prison population, which has destroyed families and drained government resources away from communities.” “In Victoria, the Aboriginal imprisonment rate has almost doubled in the […]
Statement regarding the appointment of public health services to provide healthcare in Victoria’s women prisons
Statement attributable to Uncle Percy Lovett, partner of Veronica Nelson: “I can’t believe it. It just shows how bad the healthcare was in Dame Phyllis Frost Centre- Prison and how bad these companies are.” “I hope this means that things will be better for the other women in prison, and that what happened to Veronica […]