Media Releases
19/08/2026
MEDIA RELEASE: Prime Minister refuses to meet with Aboriginal delegation to receive open letter on youth justice crisis
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (NATSILS) calls on the Prime Minister to fulfil his moral responsibility to keep communities across Australia safe by putting an end to the mass incarceration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. The Prime Minister has refused to show any leadership amidst the country’s youth justice crisis, even when more children ... Read More
11/08/2026
MEDIA RELEASE: Aboriginal children imprisoned at alarming rates and in worsening conditions makes communities less safe
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.
30/07/2026
MEDIA RELEASE: More Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children behind bars without a sentence
The Productivity Commission’s Annual Data Compilation Report, released yesterday, shows Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people continue to be locked up at disproportionate rates, the majority unsentenced.
07/07/2026
MEDIA RELEASE: PM ignores human rights obligations
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.
25/05/2026
MEDIA RELEASE: NT child protection reforms will harm children, not protect them
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.
13/05/2026
MEDIA RELEASE: Federal Budget fails to ensure access to justice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
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).
08/05/2026
MEDIA RELEASE: UN calls out Australia for racial discrimination while PM missing in action
The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination has handed down a scathing statement on the overrepresentation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in Australia’s so-called criminal justice system.
06/05/2026
MEDIA RELEASE: Children pay the price for justice system failures
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.
17/04/2026
MEDIA RELEASE: “Don’t waste this opportunity” – Emergency summit on youth justice must be on PM’s agenda for Indigenous Conference
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.
08/04/2026
MEDIA RELEASE: Entirely untrue – federal government’s response to open letter ignores legal advice
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.