Media Releases
02/03/2022
Joint Media Release: The use of spit hoods and restraint chairs on NT children, a national shame
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.
01/02/2022
NATSILS MEDIA RELEASE: “Our worst fears realised” – COVID-19 prison outbreaks risk Black deaths in custody
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.
24/01/2022
NATSILS Media Release: Genocide, dispossession, stolen children, violence and racism – January 26 is not a date to celebrate
‘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.
21/01/2022
NATSILS Media Release: One year since United Nations slams Australia’s treatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Universal Periodic Review
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.
06/12/2021
NATSILS Media Release: 500 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have died in custody since the Royal Commission 30 years ago
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.
13/11/2021
NATSILS Media Release: No more empty commitments – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kids’ lives matter
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.”
11/11/2021
NATSILS Media Release: Two deaths in three days: Gomeroi man shot dead by police, following the death of Aboriginal man in custody
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.
19/08/2021
NATSILS MEDIA RELEASE: Nearly a year and a half on and little has been done to protect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from COVID-19
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service (NATSILS) strongly opposes the over-policing, criminalisation and lack of care shown toward Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
09/08/2021
NATSILS MEDIA RELEASE: NATSILS Appoints New Executive Officer, Jamie McConnachie
NATSILS is pleased to announce the appointment of new Executive Officer, Jamie McConnachie. Born and raised in Mount Isa Queensland, Jamie is a proud Waanyi woman and has held various roles as a lawyer representing mob all over Victoria.
09/08/2021
NATSILS Media Release – NATSILS welcomes dedicated funding for Justice Policy Partnership in opportunity to see real change for our people
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (NATSILS) welcomes the announcement of new funding under the Closing the Gap Agreement announced today. While long overdue, the announcement of dedicated resources to commence the historic Justice Policy Partnership, that aims to address the ongoing overincarceratin of our people and deaths in custody, is an opportunity for government to commit ... Read More