Please direct all media enquiries to Alyssa Robinson on 0427 346 017 or [email protected]
Ground-breaking gender case makes NSW courts safer for women
MEDIA RELEASE Update - Thursday 16 September 2021: NSW Police have withdrawn the strip-search charges at the centre of Lacey v AG (NSW). This is a vindication of the position of a brave young Aboriginal woman - now also a mother. 'Lacey' wasn't prepared to run an argument where a male magistrate would see video of her naked and being searched. In...
READ MOREFamily to speak at release of findings into the death in custody of Aboriginal man Nathan Reynolds
MEDIA ALERT WHEN: Thursday 11 March, 12pm (midday) WHERE: Coroner’s Court of NSW, 1A Main Ave, Lidcombe DETAILS: Her Honour Magistrate Ryan, Deputy State Coroner, will release the findings into the death of Nathan Reynolds at 10am on Thursday in courtroom 3. Nathan Reynolds’ sisters, Taleah and Makayla Reynolds, will speak to media outside the court at midday. Sarah Crellin, Principal Solicitor...
READ MOREAboriginal Legal Service calls for accountability and transparency after another two deaths in custody
MEDIA RELEASE Tuesday 9 March 2021 The Aboriginal Legal Service is calling for real accountability after the deaths of an Aboriginal man and woman in NSW prisons last week. The two deaths, confirmed by NSW Corrective Services Commissioner Peter Severin in Budget Estimates on Tuesday morning, add to over 440 deaths of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in custody nationwide...
READ MOREDanny Whitton’s family to speak outside Coroner’s Court on day 5 of inquest into his death in custody
MEDIA ALERT WHEN: Friday 26 February, 9:00 am WHERE: Coroner’s Court of NSW, 1A Main Ave, Lidcombe DETAILS: Danny Whitton’s sister, Nikita House, will read a statement on behalf of the family. Steven Rees, Solicitor with the Aboriginal Legal Service NSW/ACT, will speak about the ongoing prevalence of Aboriginal deaths in custody. MEDIA CONTACT: Alyssa Robinson – [email protected] / 0427 346 017...
READ MOREFamily demand answers at death in custody inquest for Aboriginal man Danny Whitton
MEDIA RELEASE Monday 22 February 2021, 6:00 am As the inquest for Aboriginal man Danny Whitton begins this morning, his family and the Aboriginal Legal Service are demanding accountability for his death in custody. Danny is lovingly remembered by his family as a kind man, a doting father, and a talented athlete with a promising career ahead – had his life not...
READ MOREAboriginal care experts call for their voices to be heard in the face of a new Stolen Generation
MEDIA RELEASE Thursday 11 February 2021, 9:00 am Ahead of the 13th anniversary of the National Apology to the Stolen Generations, experts across the child protection sector are calling for a greater role for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander expertise in court proceedings, to better protect kids and keep them connected with community and culture. A diverse group of child welfare practitioners...
READ MOREDwayne Johnstone’s family and lawyers welcome manslaughter charge for his death in custody
MEDIA RELEASE Friday 5 February 2021, 5:00 pm The family of Dwayne Johnstone and the Aboriginal Legal Service NSW/ACT have this afternoon welcomed the announcement of a manslaughter charge against a Corrective Services NSW officer. Mr Johnstone was 43 when he was shot and killed outside Lismore Base Hospital on 15 March 2019. He was in the custody of Corrective Services NSW...
READ MORENSW Budget fails to invest in critical services to support Aboriginal communities to thrive
MEDIA RELEASE 20 November 2020 The Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) Limited (‘ALS’) has today expressed disappointment at the NSW Budget’s lack of investment in the Aboriginal community-controlled sector and the critical services that Aboriginal people need to thrive. The 2020-21 Budget includes a $20 million commitment to support the National Agreement on Closing the Gap over the next four years. ALS CEO Karly Warner said, “Whilst this initial investment in Closing...
READ MOREALS welcomes funding for Dubbo rehabilitation facility, calls for NSW Budget to prioritise diversion
MEDIA RELEASE - 10 November 2020 The Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) Limited has today strongly welcomed the NSW Government’s announcement of a fully-funded drug and alcohol rehabilitation and detox centre to be established in Dubbo. ALS CEO Karly Warner said, “We welcome the Government’s announcement of a new rehabilitation centre. We know that without appropriate and timely rehabilitation and adequate diversionary programs, Aboriginal people proactively seeking treatment are forced into the criminal legal system, taken...
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