2 November 2020  The Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) Limited (‘ALS’) continues to closely monitor the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and to follow the advice of NSW Health and ACT Health.    Over the past few weeks, we have seen a reduction in COVID-19 cases across the country, as well as low community transmission in NSW and ACT, and strong contact tracing measures in place. As a result, we...

Coroner refers Dwayne Johnstone's death to the DPP MEDIA STATEMENT - 29 October 2020  Statement from Dwayne’s partner Kirsty Pepper, Dwayne’s father George Johnstone and Dwayne’s stepmother Jenny Johnstone: We are very pleased with the outcome of the proceedings so far.We would like to thank Counsel Assisting Dr Peggy Dwyer and the Coroner for their preparation, professionalism and sensitivity.We also note our...

Reynolds Family – Media Statement   MEDIA RELEASE - Wednesday 28 October 2020    On the 1st September 2018, we lost our much-loved brother Nathan Reynolds. He died in custody, after having an asthma attack - just one week before he was due to be released.  On that day, our lives changed forever. Nathan made a lasting impression on everyone he met. He was our brother, but...

Inquest into death of Dwayne Johnstone begins MEDIA RELEASE - 27 October 2020    The coronial inquest into the death in custody of Aboriginal man Dwayne Johnstone commences at Lismore Court House today.   Forty-three-year-old Dwayne Johnstone was shot and killed about 7:30pm on March 15, 2019, in the custody of Corrective Services NSW officers.  “Dwayne was a much-loved partner, son and stepson. He will be remembered by those...

Nathan Reynolds death in custody inquest begins MEDIA RELEASE - 19 October 2020    MEDIA EVENT  WHEN: 9am Monday 19 October 2020 WHERE: NSW State Coroner’s Court – 1A Main Ave, Lidcombe, NSW 2141  WHO: Members of the Reynolds family and representatives from the Aboriginal Legal Service NSW/ACT WHAT: Smoking Ceremony, Didgeridoo player and dancing will be followed by members of the Reynolds family reading out a prepared statement and ALS CEO Karly Warner providing comment. The family...

Legal organisations remain concerned about the impact of secret policy on children and young people MEDIA RELEASE - 13 October 2020A coalition of NSW legal and social justice organisations have reiterated serious concerns about the application of the NSW Police’s Suspect Targeting Management Plan (STMP) to children and young people.The NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research has today released its evaluation...

2 October 2020 The Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) Limited (‘ALS’) has today welcomed a commitment by the ACT Greens to set an ambitious target to end the disproportionate imprisonment of Aboriginal people within 10 years, and called on other parties to follow suit. “Aboriginal people are strong, smart and resilient. Yet everyday our people are forced into the quicksand of the criminal legal system at vastly disproportionate rates due to discriminatory laws,...

Custody reporting made more effective UTS and ALS to develop UX platform for greater functionality 1 September 2020 The Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) Limited (‘ALS’) is collaborating with Rapido Social at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) to improve its Custody Notification Service (CNS), following project funding from the National Indigenous Advancement Agency (NIAA). The Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody...

ALS urges NSW and ACT governments to lead, adopting 10 year justice targets to end imprisonment   7 August 2020 The Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) Limited (‘ALS’) is calling on the NSW and ACT governments to voluntarily adopt ambitious jurisdictional-based justice targets to reduce the imprisonment of Aboriginal people.“We welcome the release of the new Closing the Gap Agreement last week, however the State and Territory Governments have an opportunity...