Victoria takes overdue step to decriminalise begging
Today, the Legislative Council passed an amendment introduced by Legalise Cannabis member Rachel Payne to decriminalise the offence of ‘begging and gathering alms’. This amendment to the Justice Legislation Amendment Bill 2026 was supported by the Carroll Labor government, the Greens, Animal Justice Party and the Libertarians. With the Bill’s passing, the criminal offence of […]
Family of Joey Thurston begin their journey towards truth and justice
Joey Thurston was a much-loved father, friend, son and brother. His connections to his family were deep-rooted. His loved ones remember him as a family-oriented person who was always enthusiastic to organise family events to bring everyone together. He was an avid Hawthorn Football Club supporter. Joey was only 37 years old when he passed […]
Two police officers charged following IBAC investigation into arrest of young Aboriginal man
The Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS) welcomes the announcement this week that IBAC has criminally charged two police officers involved in an arrest of our client, Wade, in August 2025. VALS are proud to be representing Wade, a young Aboriginal man, as he seeks justice and accountability for what happened to him. VALS’ Wirraway Police […]
Government forges ahead in pursuit to erode human rights in Victorian Prisons.
Yesterday the Victorian Government passed a Bill in the Lower House which strips away one of the most basic human rights for people in Victorian prisons. The Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service strongly opposes this legislation which will allow Corrections Victoria to deny people access to fresh air based on the vague and open-ended excuse of […]
Family of Kenneth Kelly take first steps toward justice for their father
Kenneth Kelly was a proud Barkandji, Muthi Muthi, and Wemba Wemba man. He was much loved by his 8 children, 17 grandchildren and 7 siblings. His passion was to sit with his guitar and sing, writing his own music and telling his stories through song. His family share that above all, Kenneth was a kind […]
VALS launches Open Letter: Government must stop the legal loophole putting Aboriginal lives at risk.
Today, the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS) along with the Aboriginal Justice Caucus, Koorie Youth Council, Federation of Community Legal Centres, Human Rights Law Centre and Youthlaw, have launched an Open Letter to the Victorian Government urgently calling on them to end the cruel and inhumane transfers and treatment of people detained in police custody […]
VALS expands Bail and Remand Court (BaRC) service across weekdays and weekends
VALS has expanded its Bail and Remand Court (BaRC) service to strengthen access to Aboriginal-led legal support for First Nations people at the earliest stage of the criminal legal process. The expansion increases the availability of VALS lawyers and our Client Support Officers (CSOs) across weekdays and weekends, including extended evening coverage. This ensures First […]
Victoria’s first budget delivered in Treaty era ignores self-determined justice solutions
The Victorian government has delivered its first state budget following its commitment to First Peoples through Statewide Treaty. The 2026/27 budget is being heralded as being for Victorian families, with investments to make life easier, safer and more affordable, the Treasurer has regarded this budget as “responsible” and that it was delivered through “careful choices”. […]
35 years on, 630 more lives lost; Victoria has failed to fully deliver on recommendations from Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody
Today marks the 35th anniversary of the final report of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody (RCIADIC). This landmark report, which investigated 99 deaths of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across Australian prisons included 339 critical recommendations for reform. Since the findings were released in 1991, 630 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander […]
Family Statement from Jeffrey ‘Pep’ Anderson – Coronial Inquest into the passing of proud Noongar man Jeffrey Winmar
Statement from Jeffrey ‘Pep’ Anderson, Jeffrey’s father. My name is Jeffrey Alan Anderson. Everyone calls me Pep. Jeffrey Winmar Anderson (Jeff) is my son. I have sat here in this Court room for the last two weeks listening to the evidence and being respectful of the things that have been said and done here, even […]
“We deserve real answers about what happened to our boy” – Jeffrey Winmar’s family demand justice and accountability.
Today, the coronial inquest for the death in custody of proud Noongar man Jeffrey Winmar has concluded following two weeks of evidence and hearings at the Coroner’s Court of Victoria. Jeffrey’s family thanks everyone who has supported them through this difficult time, including those who have sent messages of support and to those that have […]
Proud Noongar Maaman Jeffrey Winmar: Coronial Inquest begins
The coronial inquest into the death in custody of Jeffrey Winmar will begin on Monday 30 March 2026 at the Coroner’s Court of Victoria and is scheduled to run for 2 weeks. Jeffrey was a proud Noongar man. He was a beloved son, father, uncle, brother, grandson, and cousin to many. He was a family […]
Stability for our children and families is connection to Culture and community
The Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS) welcomes the passage of the Children, Youth & Families (Stability) Bill 2025 (Stability Bill). The legislation is a positive and long awaited first step toward addressing a longstanding injustice of Victoria’s child protection system, which has resulted in the permanent separation of Aboriginal children from their families, communities, and […]
Victoria Police are failing their duty of care to Aboriginal people in their custody.
On Thursday 19thth February, the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS) sought an emergency injunction on behalf of our client Nathan, a proud Gunaikurnai man, who was experiencing abhorrent conditions and treatment in police cells, which led to significant concern for his welfare. The emergency injunction sought an urgent transfer for Nathan to be moved from […]
St Vincent’s Hospital charged for failing to keep Makalie safe
The Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS) welcomes WorkSafe’s decision to charge St Vincent’s hospital with two offences following the tragic and preventable passing of Makalie Watts-Owen, a proud Tagalaka, Kukatja and Worimi woman. Makalie passed away in St Vincent’s mental health unit in February 2024, just after her 24th birthday. Her mother Sharon Watts has […]