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…

Today the family of Jeffrey Winmar will attend the Coroners Court of Victoria for the first directions hearing into the passing of Jeffrey Winmar. It is the beginning of a…

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 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…

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…

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…

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…

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.…

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…

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…