The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service (NATSILS) is concerned that no additional funding for legal assistance services or peak justice body will further see our people disproportionately overrepresented in the criminal legal system.

NATSILS is deeply saddened to learn of the death of young Noongar man in Perth’s Hakea prison over the weekend. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this difficult time.

Change the Record and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services have expressed their dismay that once again an Aboriginal person has died in custody with no consequences. 

Peak national justice, child welfare and advocacy groups have joined calls for the Northern Territory Government to stop using spit hoods and restraints on children. ACOSS, Change the Record, NATSILS, Save the Children and the Human Rights Law Centre call on the NT Government to implement recommendations from the Royal Commission into the Protection and Detention of Children, as promised.

The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (NATSILS) is extremely concerned at reports of growing COVID-19 infection rates in prisons across the country, and the real risk for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander deaths in custody.

‘Invasion Day’, ‘Survival Day’, ‘Day of Mourning’ – January 26 marks the beginning of genocide, dispossession, stolen children and wages, systemic violence and racism toward Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in so-called Australia. 

This week marks one year since United Nations members criticised and questioned the Australian Government’s human rights record against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people during a Universal Periodic Review, with Australia overwhelmingly called on to raise the age of criminal responsibility to at least 14 years. 

NATSILS is saddened and angered to ascertain that since the Royal Commission into Aboriginal deaths in custody in 1991, 500 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have lost their lives in custody.

NATSILS is outraged at the announcement that the Meeting of Attorneys General (MAG) “support developing a proposal to increase the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 12 including with regard to any carve outs, timing and discussion of implementation supports.” 

We are deeply upset, shocked and angered to learn that a 45 year-old Gomeroi man was shot dead by police in Sydney on Tuesday morning.