VALS welcomes the announcement of the closure of Port Phillip and Dhurringile Prisons. Prisons represent sites of significant harm and suffering for our people. They do not rehabilitate people and…
After years of consultation and negotiations with the legal sector and key stakeholders, the Allan Labor Government today introduced a Youth Justice Bill to Victorian Parliament. VALS welcomes the introduction…
In the middle of Reconciliation Week, the Attorney General’s Department has released the final report of the National Legal Assistance Partnership (NLAP) independent Review. The NLAP Review, led by Dr…
In a suite of family violence reforms announced at last night’s Federal Budget, the rights to safety and culturally safe legal support for Aboriginal women and children were invisible. It…
Today, the Victorian Government announced an additional four years of base-level funding for VALS’ specialist Balit Ngulu and Baggarrook programs with a commitment for these programs to be made ongoing…
All Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people deserve access to culturally safe legal services, no matter what their income is. As of today, VALS will begin a staged approach to…
In Victoria, freedom of speech is enshrined in the state’s Charter of Human Rights. This right must be protected. Yesterday, the Victorian Police Association called for a permit system to…
Do you have a Will? You may be eligible to have your Will, Power of Attorney & Medical Decision Maker documents drafted by us. Date: Monday 5th and 12th February…
VALS has advocated for the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) to be legislated in Australia for many years. We are deeply frustrated that the Federal…
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…