Please direct all media enquiries to the ALS media team on 0427 346 017 or [email protected]
Government frozen on Ice Inquiry response for two and a half years
JOINT MEDIA RELEASE Issued in partnership with the Law Society of NSW and the NSW Bar Association Thursday 1 September 2022 The NSW Government’s enduring neglect in failing to respond to the multi-million dollar Ice Inquiry is condemning drug users to ongoing legal and health impacts while the damage to communities continues. President of the Law Society of NSW Joanne van...
READ MOREMore than 63,000 community members, lawyers and advocates call on New South Wales to #RaiseTheAge
JOINT MEDIA RELEASE Issued in partnership with the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) Thursday 11 August, 2022 A petition calling for the age of legal responsibility to be raised to at least 14 will be delivered today to NSW Attorney General Mark Speakman, Labor representative Michael Daley MP, and Greens representative Sue Higginson MLC. The petition demands an end to the...
READ MORECoroner 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...
READ MOREAboriginal 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...
READ MORECoronial 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...
READ MOREAboriginal 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...
READ MOREA 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...
READ MOREAboriginal 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...
READ MOREFollowing 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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