Media Releases
19/03/2026
States and territories outright rejecting CTG commitments, new data shows
The latest Closing the Gap update shows that without decisive action from the Albanese Government, there is no hope for reaching Australia’s 2031 targets, says the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (NATSILS).
13/02/2026
PM glosses over child incarceration crisis – not good enough
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (NATSILS) says theFederal Government’s failure to acknowledge the mass incarceration of Aboriginal andTorres Strait Islander people in yesterday’s annual Closing the Gap update is not goodenough.
05/02/2026
MEDIA RELEASE: AIC confirms punitive bail laws driving First Nations over-imprisonment
A new study from the Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) confirms what Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services have been warning for years: a dangerous push towards punitive bail laws from state and territory governments has hit First Nations people the hardest.
11/12/2025
NATSILS Media Release: “Our people are paying with their lives”: Aboriginal deaths incustody reach record high
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.
27/11/2025
NATSILS Media Release: Prime Minister must show leadership on youth justice as NSW makes it easier to lock children up
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.
24/11/2025
NATSILS statement on Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Technical Changes No 2) Bill 2025 – Schedule 5
The Federal Government’s Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Technical Changes No 2) Bill 2025 is back before the Senate today. The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (NATSILS) and more than 40 other organisations have spoken out about Schedule 5 of the bill, which seeks to grant police and ministers new powers to withhold Centrelink payments for people accused ... Read More
04/11/2025
NATSILS statement on Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Technical Changes No 2) Bill 2025 – Schedule 5
Karly Warner, Chair of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (NATSILS): “The Government is trying to pass legislation that would allow police to cancel Centrelink payments for people who have not been found guilty of any offence. ”This is an unprecedented attack on fairness and due process which will shake public confidence in our legal system. Under ... Read More
16/09/2025
NATSILS & JEC Joint Media Release: Prime Minister has the power to ensure children are safe and protected – it’s time for action.
Advice obtained from Senior Counsel by the Justice and Equity Centre makes clear that the Commonwealth has the Constitutional power to act on youth justice reform.
15/09/2025
JOINT MEDIA RELEASE: Scrap SA’s Street Gangs Bill – rushed, baseless and dangerous
NATSILS and Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement (ALRM) are concerned that the Street Gangs Bill, which is expected to be debated in South Australia’s Parliament this week will criminalise children for life, drive more children into prison, and ultimately make communities less safe.
18/08/2025
NATSILS & ALRM JOINT MEDIA RELEASE: SA youth legislation is meant for ‘bikie gangs,’ will not prevent crime and will harm children
New legislation proposed in South Australia will have dire consequences for communities and will put more children through the criminal justice system.