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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

VALS is calling on the Victorian government to make urgent changes to the criminal justice system, following two weeks of startling evidence given to the Yoorrook Justice Commission. Yoorrook Commissioners…

A panel of representatives from VALS will appear before the Yoorrook Justice Commission today to call for radical change to address the ongoing harm inflicted upon First Peoples in Victoria…

 A coronial inquest will be held this week into the death of a 12-year-old Aboriginal girl who tragically died in 2019 at the Royal Children’s Hospital, after spending almost four…