Media Releases

Please direct all media enquiries to Alyssa Robinson on 0427 346 017 or [email protected]

21 Jul 2022

Coroner to deliver findings into death in custody of Douglas ‘Mootijah’ Shillingsworth

MEDIA ALERT When: 9:30 am, Friday 22 July 2022 Where: Lidcombe Forensic Medicine and Coroners Court Complex What: A smoking ceremony will take place at the court followed by delivery of coronial inquest findings by Deputy State Coroner, Joan Baptie. Roughly 30 minutes after court is adjourned, Ruby Dykes (Mootijah’s cousin and senior next of kin) will deliver a brief statement for media...

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18 Jul 2022

Aboriginal Legal Service welcomes investments to keep Aboriginal people out of jail and support stronger, safer communities

MEDIA RELEASE Monday 18 July 2022, 5:00pm   The Aboriginal Legal Service has welcomed the NSW Government’s investment of $20 million to expand the Youth Koori Court, circle sentencing programs, and justice reinvestment initiatives, saying this is a positive step towards closing the gap. Karly Warner, CEO of the Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) Limited (ALS), says these initiatives are proven to be...

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18 Jul 2022

Coronial inquest begins today into death of Aboriginal man Gordon Copeland

MEDIA RELEASE Monday 18 July 2022   A coronial inquest into the death of 22-year-old Gomeroi man Gordon Copeland begins today in Moree. Gordon passed away after disappearing into the Gwydir River during a police incident in the early hours of 10 July 2021. “Gordon was such a bright, bubbly person – he loved and helped everyone. The past year has been...

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14 Jul 2022

Aboriginal Legal Service welcomes new funding for Closing the Gap in NSW

MEDIA RELEASE Thursday 14 July 2022   The Aboriginal Legal Service has welcomed a $28.2 million investment to support new Aboriginal community-led initiatives under the Closing the Gap agreement, but flagged concerns over the inadequacy of funding for its core legal services. The new funding comes as part of the NSW Government’s $400 million Closing the Gap package announced in the 2022-23...

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4 Jul 2022

A life of institutionalisation and death in custody: coronial findings due for Aboriginal man Kevin Bugmy

MEDIA ALERT When: 9:30 am, Wednesday 6 July 2022 Where: Lidcombe Forensic Medicine and Coroners Court Complex What: Deputy State Coroner Harriet Grahame is scheduled to deliver findings for the coronial inquest into the death of Kevin Bugmy at 9:30 am. Roughly 30 minutes after court is adjourned, press statements will be delivered outside the court by Mr Bugmy’s sister, Ms Doreen...

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22 Jun 2022

Aboriginal Legal Service blindsided by rushed bail amendments that will risk widening the gap

MEDIA RELEASE Wednesday 22 June 2022   The Aboriginal Legal Service is shocked by the NSW Government’s attempt to push significant bail amendments through Parliament this week without adequate consultation. These amendments appear short sighted, reactive and will likely have a disproportionate impact on Aboriginal communities, causing more Aboriginal adults and children to be imprisoned on remand and derailing progress on Closing...

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9 Jun 2022

Following Tasmania’s announcement, New South Wales must act to keep the youngest children out of kids’ prisons

MEDIA RELEASE Thursday 9 June 2022   The Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) has welcomed the Tasmanian Government’s decision to stop locking up children under 14 and is calling on the NSW Government to commit to raising the age of legal responsibility to at least 14. While Tasmania has announced moves to raise the minimum age of detention, we must also protect children...

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9 May 2022

A loss to the legal profession: Aboriginal Legal Service mourns passing of Judge Zahra

MEDIA RELEASE Monday 9 May 2022   The Aboriginal Legal Service is saddened to hear of the passing of Judge Peter Zahra and has expressed its condolences to his family. “Judge was a close friend of the Aboriginal Legal Service. He was a mentor, friend and role model to many of our lawyers over the years,” said Karly Warner, CEO of the...

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3 May 2022

The Coroner’s Court can save lives – not just review deaths

MEDIA RELEASE Tuesday 3 May 2022, 2:00 pm   The Aboriginal Legal Service has welcomed the findings of a NSW Parliament inquiry into the Coroner’s Court, saying the Court could help prevent future Aboriginal deaths in custody. A parliamentary committee found the current system is overloaded, underfunded and lacks power to create change, making 35 recommendations to improve how the state conducts...

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