Media Releases
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.
14/08/2025
NATSILS MEDIA RELEASE: “No more Aboriginal deaths at the hands of police” – NATSILS signs open letter from Kumanjayi Walker’s family to NT Government
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (NATSILS) has joined with more than 20 organisations in signing an open letter from Kumanjayi Walker’s family to the Northern Territory Government, urging them to end Aboriginal deaths at the hands of police.
29/07/2025
NATSILS MEDIA RELEASE: NT Government’s horrific new plans to throw more children in prison and increase use of cruel spit hoods
If passed, a new bill to be introduced in the Northern Territory Parliament would see more children locked up in prison, and give prison guards more power to use force and dangerous tactics against them.
10/07/2025
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.
12/06/2025
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.
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