- by FK
- The Guardian
- Issue #2147
Photo: Mitchel Lensink (@mitchellens.ink) – www.rawpixel.com Public domain.
The Victorian government is celebrating a Budget they say is “Focused On What Matters Most,” but from the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service’s (VALS) point of view it appears what matters most in the justice space to this government is doubling down on repeating mistakes of the past by continuing to expand investment in police and corrections – rather than committing to long term investment in early intervention supports and culturally safe legal services, both of which would assist the Victorian government in finally meeting its Closing the Gap commitments.
VALS says they have seen “consecutive blows of regressive and punitive legislative reforms impacting Aboriginal communities since Jacinta Allan took the helm.” They warn that the government continues to ignore warnings about the “inevitable harms” Indigenous communities will experience as a direct result of ill-informed policy decisions.
While the allocation of $7.7 million over two years for Regional Justice Hubs is welcome, the short period of this funding poses significant risks for VALS’ ability to continue a high standard of legal assistance, culturally safe spaces, and a dedicated workforce. The two-year funding period is in stark contrast to much longer periods for mainstream legal services.
VALS has been calling for increased funding for Balit Ngulu, a specialised youth program. Demand for this youth practice has grown significantly due to a 300% increase of Balit Ngulu clients being held on remand since June last year. The government announced an additional $1.6b for implementing new bail laws. VALS received 0.5% of that even though Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples represent 14.5% of the prison population in this state. “This government,” VALS says, “would rather acquit $36 million staffing an empty prison for two and half years than invest in the community supports to stem the flow of numbers into the criminal legal system.”
Nerita Waight, CEO of the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service, said “The fight is not over, the work continues because our people are being disproportionately impacted by this government’s ill-informed policy and funding decisions.”
“Today the Victorian government has shown once again that the lives and futures of Aboriginal children and young people don’t matter, and this inequity is failing our kids. Postcode injustice and government inertia should not be the difference between our kids getting legal assistance and not.”
