Please direct all media enquiries to the ALS media team on 0427 346 017 or [email protected]
Criminal law services frozen at 13 Local Courts
15 May 2023 We have been forced to freeze criminal law services at 13 Local Courts across NSW due to a workload crisis caused by inadequate government funding. Beginning from Monday 15 May 2023, the ALS is unable to act for people facing new criminal charges at the following Local Courts: Byron Bay Eden Forster Junee Lithgow Moss Vale Muswellbrook Scone Singleton...
READ MOREACT Government delays raising the age to 14, defying advice from Aboriginal, legal and human rights organisations
JOINT MEDIA RELEASE Issued in partnership with Human Rights Law Centre, Change The Record, Amnesty International, and ACT Council of Social Service Tuesday 9 May 2023 The ACT Government has been criticised for its failure to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 14 right away, with justice advocates saying the welfare of 12- and 13-year-old children cannot wait until 2025....
READ MOREFunding crisis to force service freezes within weeks
28 April 2023 Alongside other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (ATSILS) around Australia, we are facing a crisis and calling out for urgent funding relief from the Commonwealth Government. Demand for our services has almost doubled since 2018 but our core Federal Government funding has decreased in real terms. This means we are being pushed harder than ever before. We...
READ MOREEmergency funding needed to prevent imminent service freezes: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services
JOINT MEDIA RELEASE Issued in partnership with National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services, Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement South Australia, Aboriginal Legal Service of Western Australia, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service (QLD) Ltd, North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency, Tasmanian Aboriginal Legal Service, Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service EMBARGOED: 4pm, Monday 17 April 2023 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services...
READ MORECoroner to deliver findings into fatal police shooting of Aboriginal man Stanley Russell
MEDIA ALERT WHEN: Coronial findings are scheduled for 9:30am, Friday 14 April 2023; to be followed by a press conference outside the court at approximately 11:00 am WHERE: Lidcombe Forensic Medicine and Coroners Court Complex WHAT: Deputy State Coroner, Her Honour Magistrate Forbes will deliver findings into the death of Stanley Russell at 9:30am. After taking a short break to consider the findings, the...
READ MOREImportant news on the future of WATAAS
24 March 2023 Murra Mia Tenant Advice and Advocacy Service has recently been awarded the contract to provide support for Aboriginal renters and public housing tenants in western NSW. This means the ALS will cease operating the Western Aboriginal Tenants Advice and Advocacy Service (WATAAS) after its current funding expires on 30 June 2023. Murra Mia will begin operating the tenancy services...
READ MORENSW election: Aboriginal people deserve a fairer justice system
JOINT MEDIA RELEASE Issued in partnership with the NSW Bar Association and Law Society of NSW 20 March 2023 The peak bodies for NSW solicitors and barristers have joined the Aboriginal Legal Service (ALS) to call for a fairer justice system in the lead-up to the state election. CEO of the Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) Limited Karly Warner said continued commitment to...
READ MOREPolice oversight body calls for overhaul of consorting laws, disproportionately impacting Aboriginal communities
2 March 2023 JOINT MEDIA RELEASE Issued in partnership with Public Interest Advocacy Centre and NSW Bar Association A new report from the Law Enforcement Conduct Committee (LECC) shows that ‘consorting laws’ are being misused and disproportionately targeting Aboriginal people in NSW, and continue to be used against people under 18. Consorting laws allow police to charge people simply for associating with...
READ MOREPhotos from the ALS 50th Anniversary Gala Dinner
The ALS 50th Anniversary Gala Dinner was held on 11 November 2022 at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth on Gadigal and Eora land. It was an honour to celebrate our legacy of resistance, resilience and solidarity with our founders and Elders, community, the legal fraternity, staff and supporters. Thank you to all who joined us for this great event, and a special thank...
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