Please direct all media enquiries to the ALS media team on 0427 346 017 or [email protected]
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...
READ MORERemembering Douglas 'Mootijah' Shillingsworth
8 April 2022 Douglas 'Mootijah' Shillingsworth died in custody following an ear infection – otitis media, a common health issue in Aboriginal communities. He was 44 years old, a proud Budjiti and Murrawarri man. A coronial inquest heard evidence about Mootijah’s untimely death in early April 2022. The Coroner will deliver findings at a later date. Mootijah leaves behind a large and...
READ MOREPolice officer who touched Aboriginal child’s nipple must be charged
MEDIA RELEASE Tuesday 5 April 2022, 4:00pm The Aboriginal Legal Service is calling for a NSW police officer to face criminal charges after a disturbing incident in which he touched the exposed nipple and stomach of an Aboriginal boy. The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) found the officer engaged in serious misconduct in his treatment of the 15-year-old boy, who was...
READ MOREJust Reinvest NSW and Maranguka start new chapter as independent organisations
MEDIA RELEASE Tuesday 5 April 2022 After many years under the auspices of the Aboriginal Legal Service, Just Reinvest NSW and Maranguka have begun a new chapter as independent organisations. Just Reinvest NSW began in 2011 as a strategic initiative of the Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) Limited (ALS), seeking to keep Aboriginal young people out of custody by investing in community-led...
READ MOREDraconian new anti-protest law will hurt democracy in NSW
JOINT MEDIA RELEASE Friday 1 April 2022 The passing of the Perrottet government’s new anti-protest law will undermine the ability of everyone in NSW to exercise their freedom to protest, a group of environmental, social justice and human rights organisations has warned. The organisations slammed the bill, which was passed by the Legislative Council on Friday after being rushed through in less...
READ MOREAboriginal organisations urge Parliament: if you support our kids, support the Family Is Culture Bill
MEDIA RELEASE Joint release with AbSec Monday 28 March 2022 The state’s peak Aboriginal organisations for children, families and legal services are urging NSW politicians to back long-overdue reforms supporting Aboriginal kids in contact with the child protection system. The Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Amendment (Family is Culture Review) Bill 2022 has passed the Upper House and is...
READ MOREGordon Copeland’s family and community rally for justice after death in police operation
MEDIA ALERT When: From 10am, Saturday 19 March 2022 Where: Starting in Jellicoe Park, Warialda Street, Moree What: A peaceful march from Jellicoe Park through the Moree CBD The family of 22-year-old Gomeroi man Gordon Copeland, who died in a police operation last year, have invited supporters and media to join them in a rally for justice. “We are rallying...
READ MOREJai Wright’s family ask for privacy while they plan his funeral
MEDIA RELEASE Wednesday 23 February 2022, 2:30 p.m. The family of 16-year-old Thungutti boy Jai Wright, who died in a police operation over the weekend, have thanked the community for their support and asked for space to grieve. Jai’s family will not be making any further comments at this point in time. They also want the community to know they are...
READ MOREALS confirms new and returning Directors
14 February 2022 We are pleased to confirm the new ALS Board of Directors, following community elections in 2021 and an Annual General Meeting in January 2022 (which had been delayed due to COVID). The following people have been voted onto our Board for the period 2021-2024: Jason Allan (Northern Region) Avery Brown (Northern Region) Helen Brown (Northern Region) Robert Carroll (Western...
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