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 […]
Public intoxication to finally be decriminalised
Next week on 7 November 2023, being intoxicated in public will finally be decriminalised. This is an historic and long overdue reform, with laws repealing the offence coming into effect next week. The decriminalisation of public intoxication was first recommended by the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody over 30 years ago. In August […]
Invest in stronger voices for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
You can help VALS amplify the voices of our clients and communities by donating at vals.org.au/donate. VALS is 50 years old. We were established by community, for community. We work with Aboriginal Communities to make sure they are listened to, so that decision-makers know what they need and can make positive changes. Our people have […]
Bail reform is a step towards justice and Poccum’s Law
The Victorian Parliament is set to pass bail reforms this week. While these reforms are a step in the right direction, they fall short of what Aboriginal Communities and experts have asked for over many years. VALS has always supported the advocacy of Veronica Nelson’s family for Poccum’s Law, which calls for: While the Bill […]
Coronial Inquest into passing of 12-year-old Sasha reveals gaps in child protection and healthcare systems
In late July, the findings from the Coronial Inquest into the passing of 12-year-old Sasha (pseudonym) were handed down. Sasha passed away in hospital in 2019 while in out-of-home care. The Coroner found the cause of death to be complications resulting from pneumonia and heart valve infection in the setting of a heart abnormality that […]
Victoria can lead the way to enable true self-determination for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have been asking for self-determination for a long time. Self-determination has been a key call in the hundreds of submissions and many, many hours of testimony given to the Yoorrook Justice Commission, as they held inquiries into the criminal legal and child protection systems. Today, Yoorrook released an interim […]
Statement regarding “ASIC launches proceedings against five Youpla Group directors”
Today ASIC launched proceedings against Youpla Group. Quotes attributable to Nerita Waight, CEO of the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service: For decades, the private funeral insurance company ‘Youpla’ aggressively sold poor-value funeral plans to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. They subsequently collapsed, leaving thousands of people unable to access funeral plans they had already paid […]
Victorian Government’s Bail Bill is a good first step, but can be improved
VALS has been proud to represent Uncle Percy, Veronica Nelson’s partner, during his fight for justice. Uncle Percy, along with Veronica’s mother, Aunty Donna Nelson who is represented by Robinson Gill, have been clear on their calls for changes to the bail laws. Veronica Nelson was a strong Gunditjmara, Dja Dja Wurrung, Wiradjuri and Yorta […]
STATEMENTS: Uncle Percy Lovett and Nerita Waight on bail reform in Victoria
Quotes attributable to Uncle Percy Lovett, partner of Veronica Nelson “Veronica shouldn’t have been refused bail. She wouldn’t have hurt anyone. What happened to Veronica should never happen again.” “The Government needs to make real changes to bail laws to stop so many people getting locked up before they have even been sentenced.” “No one […]