The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (NATSILS) will give evidence today at the Senate Youth Justice Inquiry and highlight the failure of the federal government to keep communities safe by presiding over the mass incarceration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.

Last week the Federal Government responded to the United Nations Universal Periodic Review (UPR), where the international community evaluates human rights records and provides recommendations for how to improve. Of the 322 recommendations to improve its human rights standing, the Federal Government only accepted 128 recommendations.

The Northern Territory’s proposed child protection reforms will harm children and families. NATSILS stands with NAAJA, the NT Children’s Commissioner, the National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People, and other Aboriginal community-controlled organisations and community leaders in calling for the Care and Protection of Children Legislation Amendment Bill 2026 to be scrapped.

The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (NATSILS) says the Federal Budget has ignored Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, with no new investment in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (ATSILS).

The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (NATSILS) shares its deepest condolences for the family of Kumanjayi Little Baby and stands in solidarity with the community in Mparntwe who mourn this tragic loss.

The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (NATSILS) is calling for an emergency summit on youth justice to be on the Prime Minister’s agenda at the inaugural National Indigenous Labor Conference, taking place this weekend.

The government’s response to an open letter from hundreds of organisations released today is entirely untrue and ignores legal advice obtained and shared with the Prime Minister last year.

206 organisations and leaders from across civil society have penned an open letter to the Prime Minister, urging him to call an emergency summit on youth justice where governments can listen to the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander legal experts and leaders.

The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (NATSILS) extends its condolences to families and communities who have lost loved ones to deaths in custody, following news that Australia has recorded the highest number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander deaths in custody in at least four decades.

NATSILS urges the Prime Minister to show leadership by putting an end to state and territory governments pursuing punitive policies that put more children behind bars.