Uncategorised - NATSILS

NATSILS MEDIA RELEASE: SA Premier – Handing out NAIDOC awards with one hand and writing laws to lock up First Nations children with the other  

Melissa Clarke, General Manager of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (NATSILS), says the Premier has joined the race to the bottom in his approach to youth justice. 

NATSILS MEDIA RELEASE: NATSILS calls on PM Albanese to act on emergency justice

With more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in prison than ever before, National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services is calling on the Prime Minister to take a leadership role to transform the justice system.

NATSILS MEDIA RELEASE: Immediate action and independent investigation required following NT death in custody

The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (NATSILS) is supporting the call by family and community for an independent investigation into the death of Kumanjayi White in Northern Territory Police custody last week.

NATSILS MEDIA RELEASE: National trend of policies to lock up kids will destroy lives and increase crime

A frightening national trend of governments deciding to lock up children will destroy lives and make communities more dangerous. 

NATSILS MEDIA RELEASE: Federal Budget ignores repeated, urgent calls for critical funding for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services

The 2025-26 Federal Budget ignores repeated, urgent calls for critical funding for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services, undermining access to justice and perpetuating inequality.

NATSILS MEDIA RELEASE: Australian children under threat as dangerous laws pass in Queensland

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services have condemned the passage of Queensland’s ‘adult crime, adult time’ laws, which will backfire and make communities more dangerous.

NATSILS MEDIA RELEASE: New Queensland laws guarantee permanent harm to our children and more dangerous communities

The dangerous laws introduced in Queensland Parliament last week ignore all evidence about what works to make communities safer and reduce crime.

NATSILS MEDIA RELEASE: “Jail has never once helped a child”: Day of sadness as NT pushes ahead with attack on vulnerable children

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (NATSILS) says the passage of new laws lowering the age of legal responsibility will increase crime and cause permanent harm to vulnerable children.

NATSILS MEDIA RELEASE: Aboriginal Legal Services warn against national ‘child jail crisis’

NATSILS is bracing for a dramatic increase in child incarceration around the nation, as multiple governments shift back to failed, punitive policies and abandon commitments under Closing the Gap.

NATSILS MEDIA RELEASE: Insufficient funding for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services will fail to close gap between need and help available

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (NATSILS) says the funding announced for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services today means no new services or representation will be possible.