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Showing posts with label Appeal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Appeal. Show all posts

AUST | NJP | UPDATING | Community News | August 2025

[Edited extract from public address]

This October, we invite you to join our Alternative First Responders team for the national online symposium on Thursday 16 October 2025. 

This Alternative First Responders National Symposium Online will bring together changemakers from around the world to rethink first response beyond policing. Featured international speakers include Alexander Heaton (Policing Project, NYU) who will share his experience designing and delivering alternative first responder models in the United States and Gina M. Nagano (Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation, Canada) who will speak to community safety, restorative justice, and Indigenous self-determination, in policy and on the ground.

This month, we celebrated some important days. On 4 August, we celebrated National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day, with the theme Little Footsteps, Big Future – a reminder of the right for every First Nations child to grow up safe, loved, and connected to family, culture, and Country. The current discriminatory out-of-home care system still puts too many First Nations children at risk. Our new position statement calls for urgent reforms, joining others in demanding an end to the child removals crisis.

We also marked the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples on 9 August, with the theme "AI: Defending Rights, Shaping Futures." While technology can deepen divides, we believe it can also be used to advance fairness and justice. That’s why we created the Hear Me Out tool, informed by communities, frontline workers, and legal experts to help people report injustice and build fairer, more responsive systems.

More updates from the National Justice Project below.

WEBINAR | Alternative First Responders National Symposium Online | Tickets are Now LIVE

Join us for a gathering of local and international changemakers redefining the first response beyond police. We will showcase powerful real world models and bold policy solutions that centre community, care and diversity. 

RESPONDING | To NT Proposal Weakening Coroners' Powers

The NT Government is responding to the coroner’s report into the police shooting of a Walpiri man in 2019, by seeking to further restrict the coroner’s powers, rather than address the problems the report uncovered. The Federal Government must act now to stop this regressive proposal. 

INTRODUCING | Challenge 4 Change

The team at the National Justice Project are kicking off Challenge 4 Change with a #Jog4Justice at Run Shellharbour on Sunday 28th September. This will be a fun, feel-good activitiy where every step helps power our crucial work. 

ADVISING | Coalition bill for tougher child bail laws will backfire

The National Justice Project signed a joint statement with an alliance of legal and community experts to speak out against the Coalition's bill, which will put more children in prison. “The evidence is crystal clear that locking a child up makes them dramatically more likely to offend and return to prison in the future.”

RELEASING | Child Removals Position Statement

Our new position statement on the discriminatory and systematic removal of First Nations children calls for urgent practical, policy and legislative reforms. We join the growing chorus demanding systemic change to the child removals crisis. 


REPORTING | Grounded Insight from the Frontline

Our Alternative First Responders team have shared an in-depth interview with two coalition members who are on the frontline supporting people and families experiencing domestic, family and sexual violence. 

HIGHLIGHTING | In the Media

The National Justice Project advocates for our clients in the courts as well as in the news media, especially around issues on human rights, discrimination and justice reform.

Here are some highlights from the past month:


SUPPORTING | Ongoing Work

The National Justice Project is funded by people like you committed to the fight for social justice. 
Donate Today

The National Justice Project is a Public Benevolent Institution endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) covered by Item 1 of the table in section 30-15 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997.  Donations of $2.00 or more are tax deductible.

To keep up to date with our strategic legal action and advocacy, visit our website or follow us on your preferred social media platform.

MORE:

National Justice Project (NJP)
Address: PO Box 123, Broadway NSW 2007
Tel: +61 2 9514 4440

We acknowledge that we live and work on the lands of First Nations Peoples, and we pay our respects to their Elders past and present. Our Sydney office is located on the lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation, whose sovereignty was never ceded. This land always was, and always will be, Aboriginal land.

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NT | PESC | PUBLISHING | Pertame School Semester 1 Newsletter | 2025

[Edited extract from public address]

Werta Pertame School partners, supporters and community! Arrangkerra marra?

I hope this email finds you all well

We have had a huge first 6 months of 2025, moving into our new Language Nest space, running our Language Nest and Fluency Transfer System programs parallel four days a week with 10 parent educators, and hosting the Yuchi Immersion visit and the Salish Fluency Transfer System workshop in Alice Springs. 

We have also run two school holiday programs and created a new nursery rhyme album. We are proud of the progress of our parent trainees, our children and our babies. We know we need a whole generation of learners to make our language strong again. We are also passionate about sharing knowledge and methods with other Language groups around Australia.
A huge thanks to all our partnerships that make this work possible! We could not have done it without you.

Kela marra,
Vanessa and the Pertame School team

MORE:

Pertame School (PESC)
Centre for Australian Languages and Linguistics (CALL)
Vanessa Farrelly, Arrernte Project Officer, 
Desert Peoples Centre Campus, Alice Springs
Tel: 0421 478 262
Website | Facebook | Instagram | X

Batchelor Institute would like to acknowledge and pay respect to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sovereign people of the lands on which our campuses are located. As we share our knowledge, teaching and learning and engage in research practices within this Institution and/or conduct business with a variety of external agencies and organisations, we must always pay respect to the sovereign status of our hosts. May their Ancestors always be remembered and honoured, their Elders listened to and respected, all members treated with dignity and fairness — in the present and well into the future.
We also acknowledge and pay respect to the knowledge embedded forever with our hosts, custodianship of country and the binding relationship they have with the land. Batchelor Institute extends this acknowledgment and expression of respect to all sovereign custodians — past, present and emerging. By expressing Acknowledgement of Country we encourage all to extend and practice respect to all First Nations people wherever their lands are located.

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AUST | NJP | UPDATING | Community News | July 2025

[Edited extract from public address]

CONTENT WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this email may contain the names and images of First Nations people who are deceased. If you are experiencing distress and are in need of support, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or 13YARN on 13 92 76 for First Nations readers.

We hope you had a great NAIDOC Week and found ways to celebrate the 50th year of this national week to honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander survival, voices and culture. 

We encourage our supporters to continue to reflect and honour First Nations people, remembering that every day we walk on stolen lands. You can take action anytime by calling out racism and discrimination on the First Nations Racism Register.

This month we saw the findings from the inquest into the 2019 death of Kumanjayi Walker in Yuendumu. We pay our deepest respects to Mr Walker’s family and community who have been advocating tirelessly for justice, truth and accountability for almost six years. The Coroner delivered landmark findings vindicating what Aboriginal communities have always known – that individual police officers and the police institution itself is systemically racist. Read more at the Guardian.

We are proud to work with Yung Prodigy, an organisation led by young people impacted by incarceration. Yung Prodigy have launched a new campaign ‘Freedom on the line’ advocating to eliminate the excessive and prohibitive call costs for people in custody to promote connection, rehabilitation and social and emotional wellbeing for people who are incarcerated.

Catch up on the latest news from the National Justice Project below.


GIVING | Thanks

A huge thank you to everyone who got behind our end-of-financial-year campaign on discrimination in healthcare. Words cannot express how truly appreciative we are of your ongoing support.

Your incredible generosity helped to exceed our target of $200,000. This will have a huge impact for our courageous clients and enable us to continue the fight to dismantle discrimination in healthcare.

From the entire team, THANK YOU!


CALLING | Out Racism

The National Justice Project has supported an Aboriginal family in filing a racial discrimination claim against the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) following traumatic events at a polling booth during the 2023 Voice Referendum. Community are encouraged to share their stories of racism via Call It Out.


POLICING | In Schools

Our Alternative First Responders team collaborated with the National Indigenous Youth Education Coalition to highlight their School Exclusion Project, which documents school exclusion practices and the school-to-prison pipeline across the nation. We echo the report’s concerns about the presence of police in schools and the harm it causes. 


WELCOMING | Cindy’s Law Introduction

We were honoured to join the family of Cindy Smith as the Attorney General introduced ‘Cindy’s Law’ to NSW parliament in direct response to the 2023 inquest examining the tragic and systemic failures surrounding the deaths of two First Nations teenagers. The changes aim to close a legal loophole enabling offenders to go unpunished for assaults when the time of death is unknown.


WATCHING | Webinar Recording

If you missed our webinar last month on lessons for Australia from what is happening to due process and human rights in the United States, the recording is now available online.


ENDORSING | Human Rights Report

Australia's human rights are sliding backwards, according to a new report submitted to the United Nations today from more than 150 organisations. 
 

HIGHLIGHTING | In the Media

The National Justice Project advocates for our clients in the courts as well as in the news media, especially around issues on human rights, discrimination and justice reform.

Here are some highlights from the past month:


SUPPORTING | Ongoing Work

The National Justice Project is funded by people like you committed to the fight for social justice. 
Donate Today

The National Justice Project is a Public Benevolent Institution endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) covered by Item 1 of the table in section 30-15 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997.  Donations of $2.00 or more are tax deductible.

To keep up to date with our strategic legal action and advocacy, visit our website or follow us on your preferred social media platform.

MORE:

National Justice Project (NJP)
Address: PO Box 123, Broadway NSW 2007
Tel: +61 2 9514 4440

We acknowledge that we live and work on the lands of First Nations Peoples, and we pay our respects to their Elders past and present. Our Sydney office is located on the lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation, whose sovereignty was never ceded. This land always was, and always will be, Aboriginal land.

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AUST | NJP | UPDATING | Community News | June 2025

[Edited extract from public address]

CONTENT WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this email may contain the names and images of First Nations people who are deceased. If you are experiencing distress and are in need of support, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or 13YARN on 13 92 76 for First Nations readers.

We are all still coming to terms with the two Aboriginal deaths in custody in the Northern Territory. Our hearts are broken and we thank you for the outpouring of support that has been shown to the loved ones left behind and the communities who are surrounding them. 

We will keep you updated about the role the National Justice Project will be playing to seek justice and how you can support the ongoing fight for justice.

Deaths in custody was also the focus of a powerful series published by Guardian Australia last week. This investigation shows how Australia is failing to make prisons safe, especially for First Nations people. They reported on the dozens of inmates who died by suicide in the past two decades using ligature points that authorities knew about but failed to remove. The National Justice Project has represented the families of some of these individuals and we are saddened that findings from coronial inquests and numerous inquiries calling for ligature points to be removed continue to be ignored.

In a Full Story podcast released as part of the series, experts said investment in prison healthcare is ‘woefully inadequate’ and this is an issue where we continue to fight for systemic change. You can help us support families as they advocate about prison facilities that are no longer fit for purpose and the centres that fail to provide culturally safe care.

With your support, we can continue to fight for improved health conditions in prisons and youth detention as we highlight the critical need for reform. 
 

STANDING | With Yuendumu

National Justice Project CEO George Newhouse represented the family of Kumanjayi White at the Sydney rally in a week of national action. He shared a statement from the 24-year-old Warlpiri man’s grieving relatives. 

WEBINAR | The State of Justice in the United States | Thursday 19 June 2025 | 11.30am-1pm ACST

Human rights lawyer and co-founder of the National Justice Project Michael ‘Dan’ Mori will share his insights from the United States on June 19 as we discuss rapidly changing developments impacting due process and human rights across America.

LAUNCHING | Alternative First Responders newsletter

Our first Alternative First Responders newsletter was issued last week! We share updates of advocacy occurring nationwide and reflect on the significant gaps left by an under-resourced support sector. Thank you to all who have signed the pledge. 
 

HIGHLIGHTING | In the Media

The National Justice Project advocates for our clients in the courts as well as in the news media, especially around issues on human rights, discrimination and justice reform.
Here are some highlights from the past month:


APPEALING | EOFY Tax Donation

Our end-of-financial-year campaign on discrimination in healthcare has resonated with so many of our supporters and we are delighted you have committed to help us fight for systemic change. 
Special thanks to the generosity of long-time supporter the Hooper Shaw Foundation for matching donations up to $100,000!

The National Justice Project is funded by people like you committed to the fight for social justice. 
Donate Today

The National Justice Project is a Public Benevolent Institution endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) covered by Item 1 of the table in section 30-15 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997.  Donations of $2.00 or more are tax deductible.

To keep up to date with our strategic legal action and advocacy, visit our website or follow us on your preferred social media platform.

MORE:

National Justice Project (NJP)
Address: PO Box 123, Broadway NSW 2007
Tel: +61 2 9514 4440

We acknowledge that we live and work on the lands of First Nations Peoples, and we pay our respects to their Elders past and present. Our Sydney office is located on the lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation, whose sovereignty was never ceded. This land always was, and always will be, Aboriginal land.

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AUST | NJP | RAISING | Awareness, Support and Funds for social justice and helping dismantle discrimination in healthcare

[Edited extract from public address]

Our end-of-financial-year campaign on discrimination in healthcare has already resonated with so many of our supporters and we are delighted you have committed to help us fight for systemic change.

We are thrilled to announce that one of our long-term supporters has today made an extraordinarily generous gift and will match donations up to $100,000.

Donations will now have double the impact!

Match your commitment to fighting injustice with this matched giving opportunity!

THANK YOU to the Hooper Shaw Foundation for this amazing gift and ongoing support of the National Justice Project. We truly appreciate your faith in our ability to fight for justice and tackle discrimination.

We’re sure our supporters are also thrilled to know their tax-deductable donations will now have twice the impact.

Donate before June 30 for a tax deduction and help dismantle discrimination in healthcare.
Help make this the tax appeal that makes a difference.

The National Justice Project is funded by people committed to the fight for social justice. 

The National Justice Project is a Public Benevolent Institution endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) covered by Item 1 of the table in section 30-15 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997.  Donations of $2.00 or more are tax deductible.
 
To keep up to date with our strategic legal action and advocacy, visit our website or follow us on your preferred social media platform.
Warm regards,
Larissa Behrendt AO (Chair)  
George Newhouse (CEO)

MORE:

National Justice Project (NJP)
Address: PO Box 123, Broadway NSW 2007
Tel: +61 2 9514 4440

We acknowledge that we live and work on the lands of First Nations Peoples, and we pay our respects to their Elders past and present. Our Sydney office is located on the lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation, whose sovereignty was never ceded. This land always was, and always will be, Aboriginal land.

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AUST | NJP | UPDATING | Community News | May 2025

[Edited extract from public address]

During National Reconciliation Week we are celebrating the 2025 theme of ‘Bridging Now to Next’ as a call for reconciliation to live in the hearts, minds and actions of all Australians.

As we move forward towards creating a nation strengthened by respectful relationships between the wider Australian community, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The theme was chosen by Reconciliation Australia to remind us that as we step forward together the lessons of the past will guide us.

The National Justice Project is also looking forward as we work on the development of a new strategic plan for 2026-2030. As well as the lessons of the past and close stakeholders guiding us, we would love to hear from Justice Brief subscribers and supporters with a short survey.

Thank you to valued supporters of the National Justice Project and we look forward to hearing your opinions. 

LAUNCHING | Website

The launch of the new Alternative First Responders website has been met with overwhelming positivity. Thank you for your support and for helping get the message out. On Tuesday 27 May, the campaign was also featured on the ABC-TV national 7.30 program. 

REPORTING | WA Coronial findings

This week we have welcomed a Coroner’s recommendations for the provision of culturally safe care to Aboriginal prisoners in Western Australia following an inquest into the death in custody of a Martu woman. 

RECEIVING | Australian Web Awards

Our Hear Me Out website was recently awarded the ‘Most Innovative Website’ at the Australian Web Awards. We’re proud to have the industry recognition for innovative tech solutions. 

CONGRATULATING | Pro Bono Partner Finalist

We are excited to congratulate Ashleigh Buckett as a Finalist for Pro Bono Partner of the Year in the Lawyers Weekly Partner of the Year Awards 2025! This is well deserved recognition for one of our Principal Solicitors and we look forward to the awards night next month.  

WEBINAR | The State of Justice in the United States | Thursday 19 June 2025 | 12noon-1.30pm AEST

Human rights lawyer and co-founder of the National Justice Project Michael ‘Dan’ Mori will share his insights from the United States as we discuss rapidly changing developments impacting the rule of law, due process and human rights across America. 

HIGHLIGHTING | In the Media

The National Justice Project advocates for our clients in the courts as well as in the news media, especially around issues on human rights, discrimination and justice reform.
Here are some headlines from the past month:


RAISING | Awareness, Funds and Support for National Justice Project

This end of financial year we will be shining the spotlight on the critical issue of discrimination in healthcare and how we are fighting for systemic change. We will be launching this campaign next week so please consider making a donation to help us dismantle discrimination and fight for fair healthcare. 

The National Justice Project is funded by people committed to the fight for social justice. 

The National Justice Project is a Public Benevolent Institution endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) covered by Item 1 of the table in section 30-15 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997.  Donations of $2.00 or more are tax deductible.
 
To keep up to date with our strategic legal action and advocacy, visit our website or follow us on your preferred social media platform.

MORE:

National Justice Project (NJP)
Address: PO Box 123, Broadway NSW 2007
Tel: +61 2 9514 4440

We acknowledge that we live and work on the lands of First Nations Peoples, and we pay our respects to their Elders past and present. Our Sydney office is located on the lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation, whose sovereignty was never ceded. This land always was, and always will be, Aboriginal land.

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AUST | NJP | UPDATING | Community News | May 2025

[Edited extract from public address]

We are thrilled to report overwhelming support for our Alternative First Responders campaign after the soft launch we shared with you last month. 

The new website has now been expanded with a handy list of resources, tools and actions that everyone can take to make meaningful change.

It has been wonderful to see so many people already pledge support for this campaign and we appreciate our supporters who have shared with us why this issue is so important to you:
  • This is such an important and urgently needed initiative!
  • I have witnessed too many times when the current default first response model of police and/or ambulance escalates situations and is not appropriate.  
  • We need more care and connection in community.
  • I support any initiative that puts the focus on the need for trauma-awareness.
  • Police are not mental health care professionals and it is not ok that force or the threat of force should ever be considered.
  • Appropriate care is the appropriate first response.
As many of you are only too aware, police are currently the be-all first response to calls for help. When people need help they are being met with suspicion and force, when they are experiencing a social or mental health issue there is escalation and judgement instead of compassion.

With your support, the National Justice Project can spread the message far and wide that we need to re-think the response. We can and urgently need to reimagine how we respond to people in need. Please encourage your friends and family to make the pledge with you to join a national movement demanding safety, dignity and care in every first response.
 
We are proud to note the following organisations to date have endorsed our position paper on Alternative First Responders:
  • Change the Record  
  • Justice Reform Initiative  
  • Social Reinvestment WA  
  • National Indigenous Youth Education Coalition (NIYEC)
  • Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research
  • SANE Australia  
  • Youth Advocacy Centre QLD  
  • Western Australia Justice Association (WAJA)
  • Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council (VMIAC)
  • Justice Equity Centre (JEC)  
  • Redfern Legal Centre
  • First Nations Advocates Against Family Violence (FNAAFV)
  • Central Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Unit (CAAFLU)
  • South Australian Council of Social Service (SACOSS)
  • South Australian Network of Drug and Alcohol Services
  • NPY Women’s Council
  • StreetWork
  • The Wayside Chapel
  • The Shopfront Youth Legal Centre
  • Sydney Drug Education & Counselling Centre (SDECC)
  • Federation of Community Legal Centres VIC
 

WEBINAR | The State Of Justice In The United States | Thursday 19 June 2025 | 12-1.30pm

The Alternative First Responders project will be showcased in an online webinar next month. Human rights lawyer and co-founder of the National Justice Project Michael ‘Dan’ Mori will be guest speaker.

The event, hosted by Principal Solicitor Ashleigh Buckett, will include a discussion with Dan and Chloe about the alternative first responder models in the United States. 

SUPPORTING | Our work as  a regular giver

If you have been thinking about giving us a regular donation we’d love for you to become part of our monthly giving program. Every dollar helps us fight for a fairer society.
 
The National Justice Project is funded by people like you committed to the fight for social justice. 

The National Justice Project is a Public Benevolent Institution endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) covered by Item 1 of the table in section 30-15 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997.  Donations of $2.00 or more are tax deductible.
To keep up to date with our strategic legal action and advocacy, visit our website or follow us on your preferred social media platform.

MORE:

National Justice Project (NJP)
Address: PO Box 123, Broadway NSW 2007
Tel: +61 2 9514 4440

We acknowledge that we live and work on the lands of First Nations Peoples, and we pay our respects to their Elders past and present. Our Sydney office is located on the lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation, whose sovereignty was never ceded. This land always was, and always will be, Aboriginal land.

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AUST | NJP | UPDATING | Community News | April 2025

[Edited extract from public address]
CONTENT WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this email may contain the names and images of First Nations people who are deceased. If you are experiencing distress and are in need of support, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or 13YARN on 13 92 76 for First Nations readers.

Our Projects and Innovation team has had a busy start to this year! 

Last month saw the official launch of Hear Me Out with NSW Attorney General Michael Daley praising the AI-powered tool as an important platform to ensure people’s voices are heard and to help make people’s lives better. 

We are also proud to be helping Monash Law celebrate 50 years of Clinical Legal Education with the spotlight on supervisors at the Monash Law Clinics including our own Steven Castan who leads the National Justice Project social justice clinic with them. 

Students in these social justice clinics are helping Hear Me Out prepare for expansion to Victoria and have also assisted in launching the Alternative First Responders project. Read more below!

CAMPAIGNING | Alternative First Responders online

Thank you to our many supporters who have helped us progress a national campaign calling for alternative first responders instead of police attending to people in a health or social crisis. 

We need to re-think the response. Our project draws attention to the need for diversity and community involvement in the first response. 

Care comes first, not force. 

We are proud to share with you a first look at our new website to help reimagine how we respond to people in need. We ask you to make the pledge to join a national movement demanding safety, dignity and care in every first response.
 

REPORTING | Our OOHC advocacy  

National Justice Project lawyers have contributed to a damning Human Rights Watch report on Western Australia’s child protection system. The report highlights the overrepresentation of Aboriginal children in out-of-home care and the need for First Nations people to be central in decision-making. 

REPORTING | WA prison failings

The National Justice Project has helped expose the lack of culturally safe care in a Western Australian prison no longer ‘fit for purpose’. We supported the family of Noongar man Ricky-Lee Cound at the inquest into his death in custody and welcomed the Coroner’s call for urgent reforms.

REPORTING | 1988 mystery continues

The search for truth continues for the family of Gomeroi teenager Mark Anthony Haines as the inquest into his 1988 death is again extended. Further hearings in the coronial inquest will take place later this year and we will continue to support his siblings in their fight for justice. 

HOSTING | Innovative panel event

We were delighted to host a special event for our Sydney supporters last month with an ‘Invitation to Innovation’. New Board Chair Distinguished Professor Larissa Behrendt AO led a panel of our frontline team members in a discussion about the ways their work is reshaping our fight for justice. Thank you all for your amazing and ongoing support.  

 

HIGHLIGHTING | In the Media

The National Justice Project advocates for our clients in the courts as well as in the news media, especially around issues on human rights, discrimination and justice reform.

Here are some highlights from the past month:


SUPPORTING | Our work as  a regular giver

April is rich with public holidays and we are glad to note that our regular givers don’t take a holiday from their monthly donations to the National Justice Project. If you have been thinking about giving us a regular donation we’d love for you to become part of our monthly giving program. Every dollar helps us fight for a fairer society.
 
The National Justice Project is funded by people like you committed to the fight for social justice. 

The National Justice Project is a Public Benevolent Institution endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) covered by Item 1 of the table in section 30-15 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997.  Donations of $2.00 or more are tax deductible.
To keep up to date with our strategic legal action and advocacy, visit our website at justice.org.au or follow us on your preferred social media platform.

MORE:

National Justice Project (NJP)
Address: PO Box 123, Broadway NSW 2007
Tel: +61 2 9514 4440

We acknowledge that we live and work on the lands of First Nations Peoples, and we pay our respects to their Elders past and present. Our Sydney office is located on the lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation, whose sovereignty was never ceded. This land always was, and always will be, Aboriginal land.

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NSW | NJP | LAUNCHING | Hear Me Out | Friday 25 March 2025

[Edited extract from public address]

Australia's first AI-powered complaint platform

Hear Me Out, the first AI-powered complaint platform in Australia, and one of the world’s first direct-to-consumer, generative AI-powered, legal self-help tools, has been officially launched by the Honourable Michael Daley, Attorney General of NSW. 
The free online tool at HearMeOut.org.au is designed to improve access to justice by allowing users to enter information about their experience and receive recommendations on where and how to make their complaint. 

With an initial focus on NSW and Federal complaint bodies, the website provides a range of legal resources, factsheets and guidance about navigating more than 75 complaint bodies. 

Work is also underway to expand nationwide and we are excited to announce that the Victorian Legal Services Board is funding the next state to be rolled out with Hear Me Out in development for Victorian complaints bodies.

Hear Me Out is an initiative of the National Justice Project, developed in close partnership with UNSW’s Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law, and in collaboration with Portable Australia, Macquarie University, K&L Gates and Microsoft. 
 

SUPPORTING | The work

Help us share this innovative tool with more people in other states and territories and expand access to complaints justice across Australia. 

MORE:

National Justice Project (NJP)
Address: PO Box 123, Broadway NSW 2007
Tel: +61 2 9514 4440

We acknowledge that we live and work on the lands of First Nations Peoples, and we pay our respects to their Elders past and present. Our Sydney office is located on the lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation, whose sovereignty was never ceded. This land always was, and always will be, Aboriginal land.

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AUST | NJP | UPDATING | Community News | March 2025

[Edited extract from public address]
CONTENT WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this email may contain the names and images of First Nations people who are deceased. If you are experiencing distress and are in need of support, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or 13YARN on 13 92 76 for First Nations readers.

Thursday 20 March is National Close the Gap Day, a significant day across Australia in support of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing. 

The National Justice Project fights for health equality for First Nations people on this and every day of the year. Our advocacy for culturally-safe healthcare includes representing families at coronial inquests and this month we helped progress justice and systemic change for clients in NSW and Western Australia. Read on for updates about these important cases.   

Closing the gap measures have also come under scrutiny with the Senate Select Committee on Measuring Outcomes for First Nations Communities. We joined Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research on a joint submission to the committee as we called for a genuine shift in the settings of targets and priorities as well as their measurement and evaluation. Together we highlighted how harmful data practices cause Indigenous people to be viewed through deficit-based and discriminatory frameworks and present First Nations peoples as the problem. Our submission called for governments to move to a longer-term, generational focus on self-determination and good governance. Read our submission here.


ATTENDING | Hear Me Out Launch

We are excited to be joining the NSW Attorney-General, the Honourable Michael Daley, at the official launch Friday 21 March 2025 of Hear Me Out. Hear Me Out is the first AI-powered complaint platform in Australia and one of the world’s first direct-to-consumer generative AI-powered legal self-help tools. The National Justice Project team will join our partners from UNSW Kaldor Centre and Portable Australia, Macquarie University, K&L Gates, Microsoft and Josef to mark this milestone along with the many law firms who donated their expertise and pro bono support. Work is also underway to expand the platform nationwide with Victoria as the next state to be rolled out. 
 

REPORTING | Inquest for eight children

The National Justice Project represented the children of Martu woman Dannielle Lowe at the Perth inquest into her death in custody earlier this month. The mother-of-eight died prematurely at the age of 41 and we have supported her family in their fight for justice. 

REPORTING | Racism report released

More than 200 people joined a webinar to launch the latest annual report from the Call It Out First Nations Racism Register. The report ‘If you don’t think racism exists come take a walk with us’ also explored the impact of the Voice referendum. 


RESPONDING | Inquest NSW Health reforms

We welcomed NSW Health’s response to recommendations made by a coronial inquest into the death of Ricky ‘Dougie’ Hampson with state-wide policy changes and updated training. This is an important step towards improving the treatment of First Nations patients. 


WELCOMING | New Senior Solicitor

Gamilaroi woman and National Justice Project lawyer Karina Hawtrey stood alongside the family of Dougie Hampson for several years helping in their fight for justice and accountability. We are proud to welcome Karina into her new role as a Senior Solicitor.
 

HIGHLIGHTING | In the Media

The National Justice Project advocates for our clients in the courts as well as in the news media, especially around issues on human rights, discrimination and justice reform.

Here are some highlights from the past month:


SUPPORTING | By Workplace giving

The National Justice Project is pleased to have a number of donors supporting us through workplace giving. If you have been thinking about a regular donation we’d love for you to speak to your employer about adding us to a workplace giving program. Many workplaces also match employee donations so you could have double the impact! Every dollar helps us fight for a society that is free from discrimination.

The National Justice Project is funded by people like you committed to the fight for social justice. 
Donate Today
The National Justice Project is a Public Benevolent Institution endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) covered by Item 1 of the table in section 30-15 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997.  Donations of $2.00 or more are tax deductible.

MORE:

National Justice Project (NJP)
Address: PO Box 123, Broadway NSW 2007
Tel: +61 2 9514 4440

We acknowledge that we live and work on the lands of First Nations Peoples, and we pay our respects to their Elders past and present. Our Sydney office is located on the lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation, whose sovereignty was never ceded. This land always was, and always will be, Aboriginal land.

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MELB | SLV | TALKING | Murriyang: Song of Time With Stan Grant | Tuesday 4 Mar 2025 | arrive 7pm for 7.30-8.45pm AEDT

[Edited extract from public address]

Hear Walkley Award-winning author Stan Grant delve into the inspiration behind his newest book, Murriyang: Song of Time and join in on an audience Q&A.

Author of the bestseller Talking to My Country and former host of Q+A, Stan is renowned for his insightful political commentary and journalism.

However, in his most recent book, Murriyang: Song of Time, Stan is blurring the lines between the political and the personal, asking us to sit in the space where they overlap.

While Murriyang: Song of Time is, in part, Stan’s response to the Voice Referendum, it is also a meditation on seeing things with a new perspective. In this book, he reflects on the history, literature, theology, music and art that has shaped him.

Don’t miss out on this fascinating conversation.
  • Where: Conversation Quarter, State Library Victoria, 328 Swanston Street, Melbourne 3000 Australia or livestream
  • Considerations: This event will be Auslan interpreted. Drinks will be available to purchase on the night. Copies of Stan's books will be able to purchase from Readings at the event.
  • Cost: $45 (general admission), $36 (paid members admission), $25 (concession and under 30s admission), $20 (First Nations and livestream admission)
  • Bookings: essential, online via State Library Victoria and Eventbrite

MORE:

State Library Victoria (SLV)
Address: 328 Swanston Street, Melbourne 3000 Australia
Tel: 03 8664 7000

State Library Victoria acknowledges the traditional lands of all the Victorian Aboriginal clans, and their cultural practices and knowledge systems. We recognise that our collections hold traditional cultural knowledge belonging to Indigenous communities in Victoria and around the country. We support communities to protect the integrity of this information, gathered from their Ancestors in the colonial period. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present, who have handed down these systems of practice to each new generation for millennia.

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WORLD | AustUNHCR | RAISING | Awareness, Support and Funds for Syria's Long Road to Recovery

[Edited extract from public address]

Syria in ruins. A long road to recovery.

The future of millions of Syrians is hanging in the balance.

Despite the fall of Bashar al-Assad, the people of Syria remain trapped in a humanitarian crisis. They have endured almost 14 years of war. Their loved ones have been brutally killed. Their homes and communities have been destroyed.

Conflict is still raging in some areas, including eastern Aleppo, where Syrians are fleeing for their lives. Meanwhile, in the north-east, fuel shortages recently forced the Menij National Hospital to rely on back-up generators to power ICU machines and incubators.

The emergency isn’t over yet. Will you send vital aid to families who still aren’t safe from conflict?

 

Send Aid Now 

Bodies and minds will forever carry the scars of this war. But the Syrian spirit remains unbroken, and while hope may be tentative, it is alive for the first time in years.

Nasra Hussein Al-Saleh, 41, is a mother-of-one, with a second child on the way. Nasra and her husband spent five difficult years living as refugees in Beirut, Lebanon. They recently decided to begin the arduous journey home to Deir-ez-Zor, but the city has been heavily affected by war. There have been high numbers of casualties, 75 per cent of infrastructure is destroyed, and the lethal threat of landmines.

Despite this, after half a decade as a refugee, Nasra yearns for home.
“I want to replant my land and rebuild our house,” she says. “Even if we live in a tent, it would be precious to be in our country.”
Syrian refugees like Nasra need help to return home and begin rebuilding their lives. Will you help families on the long road to recovery? Your generous donation can provide shelter kits with timber, tarpaulin and other supplies.

Australia for UNHCR (AustUNHCR) ABN: 35 092 843 322 has tax-deductible Gift Recipient Status and is endorsed by the ATO as an Income Tax Exempt Charity. Donations over $2 are tax-deductible.
 
Thank you so much for supporting the people of Syria. Generous individuals like you have been there for Syrians through their darkest days. I urge you – please don’t stop now. Together, we have the chance to create lasting change.

Yours sincerely,
Trudi Mitchell, CEO

P.S. While Syrians finally have hope for the future, there’s still a long road to recovery. Please donate now to send shelter kits to Syrian families so they can begin rebuilding their homes and their lives.

P.P.S. By leaving a gift in your Will to Australia for UNHCR, you can make a difference for refugees well into the future. It takes just minutes to write your Will online and create a life-changing legacy.

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Australia for UNHCR (AustUNHCR)
Address: Level 8, 120 Sussex Street, Sydney NSW 2000 Australia

Australia for UNHCR acknowledges Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present.
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AUST | NJP | UPDATING | Community News | February 2025

[Edited extract from public address]

Happy World Day of Social Justice

February 20 is a day to acknowledge efforts to tackle social justice issues including gender equity, Indigenous peoples and migrants’ rights around the globe, especially at a time when the concept of equity itself seems under attack.

During February, the National Justice Project has advocated on First Nations justice by addressing two different parliamentary inquiries on joint submissions with Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research. Our CEO George Newhouse and Jumbunna’s Dr James Beaufils appeared at the Senate Inquiry in Australia’s youth justice and incarceration system.  Our Campaign Lead Chloe Fragos and Jumbunna’s Alison Whittaker appeared at this week’s Joint Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs Inquiry into a Truth and Justice Commission.

We hope that our recommendations to both inquiries are taken into consideration and will keep you updated when the final reports are released to parliament.

ATTENDING | Mardi Gras Fair Day 2025

We were thrilled to be a first-time stallholder at the 2025 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Fair Day which attracted a crowd of more than 70,000 people to celebrate equality and inclusivity. Welcome to our many new friends who subscribed to the Justice Brief at this event. More than 230 people took part in our interactive survey on the need for alternative first responders with so many responding the ‘completely agree’ category was completely covered in emojis of support. 

WEBINAR | Call It Out First Nations Racism Register annual report | Thursday 6 March 2025 | 1pm AEDT

Join us for the release of the Call It Out First Nations Racism Register annual report. Hosted by the partnership of the National Justice Project and Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research, the webinar will discuss solutions to racism targeting First Nations people. Hear from Associate Professor Fiona Allison, Professor Lindon Coombs and Professor Chris Cunneen on the role of the register to ensure people have a place to give voice to their concerns and experiences, be heard and contribute to a collective understanding that can help shape a better future.
 

ADVOCATING | Alternative responders

The National Justice Project today releases a position paper to guide an Australian campaign advocating for appropriate first responders instead of police attending where a health or social response is required. The paper has been widely endorsed by community stakeholders. 

MEETING | Social justice students

We were excited to meet with so many talented law students this month. From UTS Faculty of Law O-Week to our Social Justice Clinic at Monash University we’re delighted to support the future of human rights advocates: training the next generation of social justice lawyers.

HONOURING | Woman of Excellence

We are thrilled to congratulate our Deputy Chair Karen Iles on being named a finalist for the Premier's NSW Woman of Excellence Award. This is wonderful recognition of her achievements as a role model and inspiration to others. 
 

REPORTING | In the Media

The National Justice Project advocates for our clients in the courts as well as in the news media, especially around issues on human rights, discrimination and justice reform.
Here are some highlights from this month:

RAISING | $10 monthly for our 10th year

The National Justice Project is looking forward to celebrating our 10th year in 2025, especially with our treasured monthly givers. If you have been thinking about giving us a small regular donation we’d love for you to donate $10 a month to be part of our 10th year. Every dollar helps us fight for a society that is free from discrimination.

The National Justice Project is a Public Benevolent Institution endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) covered by Item 1 of the table in section 30-15 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997.  Donations of $2.00 or more are tax deductible.

MORE:

National Justice Project (NJP)
Address: PO Box 123, Broadway NSW 2007
Tel: +61 2 9514 4440

We acknowledge that we live and work on the lands of First Nations Peoples, and we pay our respects to their Elders past and present. Our Sydney office is located on the lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation, whose sovereignty was never ceded. This land always was, and always will be, Aboriginal land.

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AUST | JUCO | WEBINAR | Disaster Legal Toolkit for Not for Profits | Thursday 20 February 2025 | 11am-12noon AEST

[Edited extract from public address]

Disaster Legal Toolkit for Not-For-Profits is a set of 26 plain language resources to help community organisations prevent, resolve, or navigate disaster-related legal issues, keeping the focus on achieving their purpose.

Justice Connect (JUCO) are also hosting a free launch webinar to share insights from the development of the resources and provide examples of legal issues that can arise.

MORE:

Justice Connect (JUCO)
Melbourne office, Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Boon Wurrung Country
PO Box 16013, Melbourne VIC 8007
DX 128 Melbourne
Tel: +61 3 8636 4400

Justice Connect acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and pays respects to them and their cultures, and to elders, past and present. Our Melbourne office is on the land of the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation. Our Sydney office is on the land of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation.

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AUST | NJP | UPDATING | Community News | January 2025

[Edited extract from public address]

Welcome to 2025, the 10th year of the National Justice Project, and a new monthly Justice Brief newsletter!

We are looking forward to celebrating this significant year with our many partners, volunteers, supporters and donors.

This year has started with a stark reminder of why we must remain vigilant in our fight for justice and human rights, and why your support is so vital.

The 2025 Human Rights Watch World Report slammed Australia’s treatment of asylum seekers as “diabolical” and outlined an appalling record on human rights. The Federal Government continuing to evade our international obligations and ignore global standard on the most basic of human rights.  Our country’s record on youth justice also came under fire in this damning report with the global watchdog noting the disparities in Australia’s criminal justice system especially the overrepresentation of First Nations people. Read our response.

As long as Australia remains the only Western democracy without a national human rights act or charter, the work of the National Justice Project in holding our governments to account is more important than ever. Support our work.

MARKING | Survival Day 2025

Over the weekend the National Justice Project acknowledged 26 January as a day to honour the survival of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and cultures. 

We are proud to support and celebrate the oldest living culture on the continent - on this day and every day of the year. We were also proud to join the many thousands of people who marched in Invasion Day rallies around the nation with the gathering on Gadigal Country attracting a vocal crowd. 

Everyone at the National Justice Project echoes the chants from these protest marches demanding justice for First Nations people and action on racial discrimination. We pledge to continue this fight for justice in 2025 and beyond. We hope you can join us in this fight.
 

WELCOMING | New Board Chair

We are delighted to welcome Distinguished Professor Larissa Behrendt AO as our new Board Chair from January 2025. We also welcome Karen Iles as our new Deputy Chair and thank outgoing Board Chair Steven Castan for his service. 

ADVOCATING | Youth justice

Our CEO Adjunct Professor George Newhouse has been invited to address the Senate Inquiry into Australia’s youth justice and incarceration system next week. Junbunna Insititute for Indigenous Education and Research will also join him. 

HEARING | UN calls out Australia

The National Justice Project has called on the Federal Government to act on findings from the United Nations Human Rights Committee that Australia violated a human rights treaty when detaining a group of asylum seekers, including children, on Nauru. 

CALLING | Racism out

26 January again proved to be a challenging date for many First Nations people and we are all too aware of the increased incidents of racism at this time. 
  • If you witnessed or experienced this, please take a moment to report it to the racism register at callitout.com.au.

WISHING | Happy Mardi Gras

Staff and volunteers with the National Justice Project are excited to be hosting a stall at next month’s Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Fair Day. This is a great day to celebrate the 2025 theme ‘Free to be’. Please feel free on Sunday 16 February to pop by and say hi. 

FOLLOWING | Our followers

If you follow us on social media you are in good company with more than 34,000 supporters following our regular posts across platforms including LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter). We’ve also joined Bluesky and it would be great to see you there!
 

REPORTING | In the Media

The National Justice Project advocates for our clients in the courts as well as in the news media, especially around issues on human rights, discrimination and justice reform.

Here are some highlights from this month:
You can follow our media commentary

SUPPORTING | Our New Year

The National Justice Project is looking forward to celebrating our 10th year in 2025. There are many ways for you to get involved this year to show your support. From volunteering to workplace giving, you can be part of the team helping our clients fight for truth, justice and accountability. 

The National Justice Project is funded by people who are committed to the fight for social justice. 

The National Justice Project is a Public Benevolent Institution endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) covered by Item 1 of the table in section 30-15 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997.  Donations of $2.00 or more are tax deductible.

    MORE:

    National Justice Project (NJP)
    Address: PO Box 123, Broadway NSW 2007
    Tel: +61 2 9514 4440

    We acknowledge that we live and work on the lands of First Nations Peoples, and we pay our respects to their Elders past and present. Our Sydney office is located on the lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation, whose sovereignty was never ceded. This land always was, and always will be, Aboriginal land.

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    AUST | NJP | UPDATING | Community News | December 2024

    [Edited extract from public address]

    This has been an exceptionally busy year for us all at the National Justice Project and we wish to thank our many supporters for standing alongside us and fighting the good fight. 

    We have achieved a great deal for our clients and communities during 2024 and we look forward to our 10th year in 2025. 

    We end this year with some bittersweet news. Steven Castan, our Board Chair for the last five years, will be stepping down from this role in January 2025. We would like to sincerely thank and celebrate Steven for playing a vital role as Chair of the National Justice Project and being a part of our growth, fearlessly fighting for a society where all people are treated equitably and without discrimination. Steven will continue to be a Director of the Board and assisting where he can add value.

    We are pleased to announce that Distinguished Professor Larissa Behrendt OA will be appointed as our Chair, effective from 2 January 2025. Larissa is an Euahleyai/Gamillaroi woman and Laureate Fellow at the Jumbunna Indigenous House of Learning at the University of Technology, Sydney. She received an Order of Australia in 2020 for distinguished service to Indigenous education and research, to the law, and to the visual and performing arts. We have been benefiting from Larissa’s knowledge and passion since she joined our Board in 2021, and we look forward to welcoming her to her new position as Chair next year.

    We wish you all a safe and peaceful end to 2024 and look forward to celebrating 2025 with you in the new year.

     

    THANKYOU | For helping us make an impact this year

    We are delighted to share with you our Impact Report for 2024 showcasing the National Justice Project's workd to end discrimination through the power of strategic legal action, social justice education, client-centred advocacy, innovation and strong partnerships.

    Earlier this year we shared an Impact Report capturing our work in the previous calendar year. As we are now moving to produce an annual report across the financial year instead, we didn't want you to miss our advocacy and impact during January-June 2024. 

    We hope you enjoy this bonus report for the year and than you for your ongoing commitment to the National Justice Project, and the role you have played in creating this impact. 
     

    THANKYOU | For supporting our impact through fundraising

    Thank you again to the many people who supported our 10 Days to Donate in December journey. This campaign in the lead up to International Human Rights Day on 10 December will help us Finish the Fight for the refugee families who rely on us to fight for their human rights.

    This support will help our legal team push forward the 40 offshore detention cases we have before the Federal Court. There is still time to donate and help us Finish the Fight for our courageous refugee families.
    The National Justice Project is a Public Benevolent Institution endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) covered by Item 1 of the table in section 30-15 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997.  Donations of $2.00 or more are tax deductible.

    Thank you for your support in 2024
    Our office will be closed December 20 to January 6
    The National Justice Project looks forward to our 10th year in 2025
     

    MORE:

    National Justice Project (NJP)
    Address: PO Box 123, Broadway NSW 2007
    Tel: +61 2 9514 4440

    We acknowledge that we live and work on the lands of First Nations Peoples, and we pay our respects to their Elders past and present. Our Sydney office is located on the lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation, whose sovereignty was never ceded. This land always was, and always will be, Aboriginal land.

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