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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 2026

[Edited extract from public address]
Content Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised the following includes the names of First Nations people who have passed away. This email also includes distressing content.

 News and Updates 

Kumanjayi White’s family learn police chose not to prosecute officers over his death

More than a year after Kumanjayi White died in police custody, his family has learned that police chose not to prosecute the officers involved. The family are now left with even more questions about what happened and why the decision was made.

Major changes to mental health crisis response

NSW has announced a major new approach for people experiencing mental health distress. While the government says the  $270 million investment will provide better support, we still have questions about what this will mean for people in crisis.

What happens after Yoorrook Justice Commission?

Victoria’s truth-telling commission, Yoorrook, heard from First Nations people about their experiences of injustice. But what happens now? A new project looks at what it will take to turn Yoorrook’s recommendations into action.

One legal case can change the future

A legal case can deliver justice while changing the future for everyone who comes after. Our UTS Clinic students are exploring powerful cases where legal action has changed government policy, held institutions accountable and helped prevent the same injustice from happening again.

Holding police power to account

Between 2017 and 2022, 43% of critical incidents involving NSW Police happened during a mental health crisis. People in crisis need support, not force. The Alternative First Responders campaign is calling for a NSW Human Rights Bill to prevent harm and hold governments accountable.

Your complaint needs careful guidance, not guesswork.

Hear Me Out is a project brought to you by the National Justice Project and is available to users making New South Wales, Victorian or federal-based complaints.

 Events 

Jogging for Justice - Take on a challenge

Over the next few months, there are some amazing running events across the country where you can take on a personal challenge while supporting the National Justice Project. Every kilometre helps power our work to advance justice and protect human rights.

 In the Media 


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 | August 2026

[Edited extract from public address]

When policing causes harm, what needs to change?  

Videos of police violence, stories of misconduct and growing calls for accountability have once again forced a national conversation about policing and public trust.

But alongside questions about what happens when policing causes harm, communities across Australia are asking something much bigger: what does genuine public safety look like?

For many people, safety means more than enforcement. It involves access to housing, healthcare, community support, youth services and systems that respond to harm without causing further harm.

In this edition of the Justice Journal, we explore both sides of that conversation. We look at the reforms needed to strengthen police accountability, and we hear from people working to build community-led approaches to safety.
 

Prioritising care over force

We work alongside people, families and communities seeking answers and accountability after harmful interactions with police. We’ve seen the lasting impact these experiences can have when the systems meant to keep people safe instead cause harm.

That's why we've contributed to the NSW Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) review, calling for stronger oversight, greater transparency and more effective accountability.

Accountability matters, but it's only part of the picture. Building safer communities also means investing in approaches that prevent harm before it happens and make sure people get the support they need when they need it.
 

Communities leading the way: Beyond Survival Project

Every day, community organisations are already doing the work and supporting people across Australia who have been failed by the system.

At our Alternative First Responders’ recent Action Webinar: VIC Elections 2026, Lauren Caulfield from the Beyond Survival Project spoke about the project's work supporting people who have experienced family violence policing harms through legal assistance, family violence support and community advocacy.

Lauren also shared findings from the Harm in the Name of Safety, a report based on a survey of more than 270 family violence workers across Victoria. The report highlights widespread concerns about policing responses to family violence and reinforces the need for greater investment in community-led responses that keep people safe.

Watch the full webinar to hear Lauren and other advocates discuss the community-led solutions already making a difference across Victoria.
"We are calling for a redistribution of resources to frontline and family violence services, to build and strengthen community pathways, and for funding for an Alternative First Responders pilot in Victoria." – Lauren Caulfield, Beyond Survival Project
 

In conversation with... the Alternative First Responders team

As communities question whether police should be the default response to every crisis, the Alternative First Responders campaign is calling for community-led, health-focused alternatives that prioritise care over force.

What gives this movement its momentum?
People are wanting to grow the conversation. This isn’t just about personal opinions. This is common sense approaches and policy and people can see that. The deep desire people have to have those in their communities responded to with care and dignity gives me hope that this will become the status quo for what shapes policy investment.
– Jacinta Wright, Policy & Projects Officer

Why are more people questioning policing as the default response?
The growing use of force by police is institutional, cultural and strengthened by a growing ‘tough on crime’ policy agenda. We are not experiencing a rise in crime across the country. We are experiencing a safety net crisis where people are being allowed to fall through widening cracks. While social, community and health supports remain underfunded, governments continue to invest in policing as the primary response. More people are questioning this approach because they're seeing its impacts firsthand.
– Chloe Fragos, Project Lead

What gives you hope as you work towards alternatives to policing?
Seeing people come together to drive change, and the immense efforts that are in action and happening on the ground. There's so much love in this space, and there's a lot of grit too. I am constantly in awe of organisations and individuals who fiercely embody the principles of alternative first responders, who have done so for a very long time and who we continue to rally alongside in the call for dignity and care in the first response. The people united will never be defeated.
– Zoe Edema, Campaign Content & Advocate
 

How to take action

  • Join hundreds of people who are calling for care, not force by signing the Alternative First Responders pledge. Sign
  • Download the Kitchen Table Conversation Toolkit and start meaningful conversations about community safety. Read
  • Tell your local MP why community-led, health-focused crisis responses matter using our ready-made templates. Write
 
Kind Regards,
The National Justice Project Team

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 | July 2026

[Edited extract from public address]
Content Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised the following may include the names of First Nations people who have passed away. This email also includes distressing content.

Welcome to the July issue of the Justice Brief.

 News and Updates 

TAKING | Strategic Legal Action – speaking out leads to lasting change

One family's decision to speak out has led to change across the Australian Electoral Commission. Barkindji Koori man Murray Benton and his family lodged the complaint following traumatic experiences at a polling booth during the 2023 Voice Referendum. The AEC has now introduced major reforms to improve the experience of First Nations peoples engaging with the Australian electoral system.
 

EXPOSING | Powerful evidence ongoing racism in Australia through Public Inquiry

Powerful evidence of racism, hate and violence targeting First Nations people has been shared through a Parliamentary Inquiry. Together with Call It Out, in partnership with Jumbunna Research, and the Alternative First Responders Campaign, we've called for urgent change.

REPORTING | Appeal – Thank you to supporters this End of Financial Year

Because of generous supporters, we raised more than $205,000 to help protect children experiencing harm in Australia. Support helps us to stand alongside our clients, advocate for change and work towards a future where every child feels supported and cared for.

NAIDOC – Celebrating trailblazers this NAIDOC week

This NAIDOC Week, we celebrated the First Nations trailblazers who have shaped Australia's future and whose achievements continue to inspire communities. Through their courage and leadership, they have paved the way for future generations. Meet some of the trailblazers leading change like Chair of the Board Larissa Behrendt.

IMPACTING | Community – Having a mental health crisis is not a crime


The Alternative First Responders team stood alongside BEING - the peak body for mental health consumers in NSW, as well as families, advocates and community organisations to honour lives lost following police responses to mental health crises. Find out why we're calling for greater investment in community-led alternatives.
 

JOGGING | For Justice – Take on a challenge

Over the next few months, there are some amazing running events across the country where you can take on a personal challenge while supporting the National Justice Project. Every kilometre helps power our work to advance justice and protect human rights.

HIGHLIGHTING | In the Media


SUPPORTING | Social Justice

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

As a Public Benevolent Institution, The National Justice Project is 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.

Kind Regards,
The National Justice Project Team


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 | UPDATING | Community News | June 2026

[Edited extract from public address]

Seeing our work recognised in a national news story is something we can all be proud of.

I wanted to share this ABC News article featuring our Pertame Language Nest and our vision of becoming Australia's first total immersion Indigenous school.
The article highlights the impact the Language Nest is having on our children, families, Elders and community, and the importance of creating strong Pertame speakers for future generations. The story also shares our ambition to establish an independent total immersion school so that children can continue learning through Pertame beyond preschool. This recognition comes after years of hard work from many people.
 
I want to sincerely thank our supporters for the role donors play in making this happen every day. This program would not function without all the different support systems you provide behind the scenes. 
 
The success of the Language Nest belongs to all of us. Every child learning Pertame, every family reconnecting with language, and every step we take towards our school vision is the result of the collective work of our team, elders, families, and community.
 
Thank you to supporters for all for your dedication and for believing in this vision. I'm excited about what we can achieve together in the years ahead.
 
Vanessa, Lee and the Pertame Language Nest Team

MORE:

Pertame School (PESC)
Centre for Australian Languages and Linguistics (CALL)
Desert Peoples Centre Campus, Alice Springs

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 | June 2026

[Edited extract from public address]
Content Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised the following includes the names of First Nations people who have passed away. This email also includes distressing content.

We're reflecting on the children and families we’ve stood alongside, and the urgent work still ahead.

Across Australia, children are being harmed by the government and systems that are meant to protect them, through racism, over-policing, detention and denied healthcare.

At the National Justice Project, we work alongside families to challenge these injustices and push for lasting change.

With just one week left until the End of the Financial Year, gifts are currently being doubled and will help us continue taking on cases, holding institutions accountable and pushing for a future where every child is safe to simply be a child.
This month, we're also sharing what the Mark Haines findings mean after almost 40 years, and how you can support alternatives to police-led crisis responses.

 News and Updates 

APPEALING | Every child deserves the freedom to just be a child.

Every child deserves the freedom to just be a child. Yet across Australia, government policies and systems continue to harm children through racism, over-policing, detention and family separation. We work alongside families to challenge these injustices, seek accountability and push for change. This EOFY, your support is being doubled and will help us continue standing with communities and working towards a future where all children are safe and cared for.

REPORTING | Coroner rules out suicide in death of Mark Haines

The Coroner has ruled out suicide as the cause of death of Gomeroi teenager Mark Anthony Haines and strongly criticised the way NSW Police investigated his death. Mark was 17 when he was found on train tracks outside Tamworth on 16 January 1988. The Coroner also found that racial bias likely influenced the response to his death. For decades, Mark’s family has fought for answers about what happened to him, showing extraordinary strength, dignity and perseverance in their fight for justice.

BUILDING | Momentum for alternatives to police

More than 200 people joined our Alternative First Responders: Turning Ideas into Action webinar from across Australia to discuss practical alternatives to police-led crisis responses. Speakers shared how health workers and grassroots organisations are already responding safely to health and social crises without the need for police interactions. The conversation focused on the urgent need for governments to invest in community-led models that are already keeping people safe.

RAISING | Concerns over rushed child protection reforms

Children's connections to family, community and culture are at risk under proposed changes to NT child protection laws. In a submission to the Legislative Scrutiny Committee, we have raised concerns that the reforms are being rushed through without meaningful consultation with First Nations communities.

NSW | GOV | HEARING | Your say: Mental health and policing interactions in NSW | survey closes 30 June 2026

When someone is in crisis, they deserve care, not force. Right now, the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission is reviewing how NSW Police respond to mental health call outs. Lived experience is powerful evidence and it matters. Share your perspectives.


The impact of racism on First Nations children

Speaking on SBS's The Point this month, National Justice Project's Ariane Dozer discussed the rise in racism across Australia and the growing number of reports involving First Nations children. Ariane highlighted the devastating impact racism has on children captured by the Call It Out First Nations Racism Register delivered by the Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research and the National Justice Project.

HIGHLIGHTING | In the Media


SUPPORTING | Social Justice

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

As a Public Benevolent Institution, The National Justice Project is 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.

Kind Regards,
The National Justice Project Team


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 Justice For Children Impacted By Incarceration

[Edited extract from public address]

Thanks to a generous matched giver, every dollar you donate before midnight on Sunday 14 June 2026 will be matched dollar for dollar, doubling your impact.  

For the next five days, every donation to the National Justice Project will be doubled.

That means when you give today, you'll send twice as much support to children and families seeking justice.
  • $25 becomes $50.
  • $50 becomes $100.
  • $100 becomes $200.
  • $250 becomes $500.
Right now, we're seeking justice for children impacted by the government’s cruel offshore detention policies, standing alongside First Nations families challenging discrimination and fighting for young people harmed in youth detention.

But we can't do this work without supporters.

Our goal is to raise $200,000 before 30 June 2026 so we can take on more cases, support more families and continue holding governments and institutions accountable for harming children.

Until Sunday 14 June 2026, your donation will go twice as far. Please make the most of this opportunity to double your support for children’s safety.

Because every child deserves the freedom to simply be a child.
As a Public Benevolent Institution, The National Justice Project is 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.
 
With sincere gratitude,
The National Justice Project

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 2026

[Edited extract from public address]
Content Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised the following may include the names of First Nations people who have passed away. This email also includes distressing content.

'Reconciliation is not a spectator sport' is the message behind this year's National Reconciliation Week theme.

This is a direct call for all of us to stand alongside First Nations people and commit to reconciliation every day.

Held from 27 May–3 June, the week recognises the journey to secure First Nations rights, and is a powerful reminder of how far we still have to go.

With Reconciliation Week just around the corner, now is the time to reflect on how we show up, because reconciliation doesn't stop when the week ends, and the weight of this work shouldn't fall on First Nations people.

Read on for ways to support First Nations people beyond National Reconciliation Week, plus the latest news and updates.

 News and Updates 

STANDING | Alongside First Nations people every day

Standing alongside First Nations people doesn’t mean just watching from a distance. While the weight of reconciliation has always fallen on the people it's meant to serve, there are practical steps every non-Indigenous person can take right now to change this. From supporting First Nations businesses, to calling out racism when you see it, and amplifying voices that continue to be ignored, it’s time to act!

LAUNCHING | Kitchen Table Conversation toolkit

We launched the Alternative First Responders Kitchen Table Conversation Toolkit, a resource designed to spark meaningful conversations about alternatives to policing and community safety. At an event organised by The Law Reform and Social Justice program, we gathered with supporters to ask: what does real community safety look like? And what are the alternatives to police?  

ANSWERING | What it means to volunteer with us

We're celebrating National Volunteer Week by spotlighting four incredible people who gave their time to the National Justice Project over the past year. During their time with us, volunteers gain hands-on experience in strategic litigation and advocacy, while helping drive real change with communities. We asked them about the moments that stayed with them, what they learned, and why it mattered.

REPORTING | Bold legal ideas to tackle the climate crisis

A new report captures the bold legal strategies developed by teams of experts to tackle the climate crisis at our third LawHack. The winning team from Gadens proposed an innovative compensation scheme to protect communities from climate harm. Other standout ideas from the legal teams included pathways for people with disability to access recovery support during extreme weather, and new approaches to increase the use of electric vehicles.

CONGRATULATING | Our UTS Law students on their first Moot Court

It’s a proud milestone for our UTS Law students as they’ve just completed their very first Moot Court with us. We partnered with the UTS Faculty of Law and the Jumbunna Legal Strategies Hub to launch a program which gives students real-world experience of how the law can be used to make change. It enables students to work on high-impact cases and gives them the practical skills needed to push for law reform. We can't wait to see what next semester brings.

REMINDING | Action Webinar Alternative First Responders | Thursday 28 May 2026 | 11-12.30pm AEST

Join us for a free online webinar to explore how we can demand real change and advocate for alternative first responders to police.

Ahead of the Victorian state election, we’re bringing together leading advocates and grassroots organisers who are rethinking police-led first responses and driving the work in community-led solutions.

Speaker List:
  • Apryl Day, Dhadjowa Foundation
  • Harm Reduction Victoria
  • Footscray Mall Friends
  • Beyond Survival Project
  • Southside Justice
You’ll then take part in on-the-spot actions to turn ideas into real, meaningful change.

Together, we can build momentum and put alternative first responders firmly on the state agenda.

Sign up now to listen, learn, and take action.
  • Where: Online event is held via Zoom. Access Link will be provided via email one day before the event.
  • Cost: Free
  • Bookings: online via Humanitix

UPDATING | Privacy Policy

We've recently updated our Privacy Policy. Questions? Contact us at info@justice.org.au
 

HIGHLIGHTING | In the Media


SUPPORTING | Social Justice

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

As a Public Benevolent Institution, The National Justice Project is 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.

Kind Regards,
The National Justice Project Team


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 2025 Annual Report | May 2026

[Edited extract from public address]

Ketjeye Mangkem Pertame Ngetjek (Growing the Next Generation of Pertame speakers).

As we share our 2025 Annual Report, we want to take a moment to sincerely thank each of our donors for the many ways this has supported Pertame Projects over the past year.

Whether your support came through funding, partnership, advocacy, collaboration, advice, or simply walking alongside us and sharing our work, every contribution has mattered. Each act of support has helped strengthen community‑led language, culture, and education outcomes, and has made it possible for our work to continue with pride and integrity.
 
The past year has been one of progress, learning, and reflection. Together, we have seen important milestones reached, relationships deepened, and community aspirations continue to guide our direction. None of this happens in isolation, it is made possible by the collective commitment of people and organisations who believe in the importance of Pertame language, culture, and self‑determination.
 
A central part of this work is our Language Nest, a place where young children are immersed in Pertame language from their earliest years, learning through culture, Country, and the guidance of Elders and fluent speakers. Through the Language Nest, we are not only teaching words; we are nurturing identity, strengthening belonging, and raising the next generation of Pertame speakers. Because of your support, our Elders are seeing their dream come to life, as babies are once again speaking their first words in Pertame. This work is long-term and deeply relational, and it is only possible because of the support that stands behind it.
 
As with previous years, in 2025 Pertame consistently shared our successes with other First Nations communities across Australia. Last year we co‑hosted with First Languages Australia, a highly successful Fluency Transfer System conference in Mparntwe with over 100 attendees, as a result 25 Aboriginal language groups are now using the Fluency Transfer system and looking to the triumph of our Pertame adaptions and approaches.

We are building a recognised example of how to grow new language speakers as a thriving form of language revival. With your help, we will continue to openly share our journey to show other language groups that if we can do it, so can they. 
 
Our Annual Report reflects not only what was achieved, but the shared effort behind it. We are deeply grateful for your trust, your generosity, and your belief in this work.
As we approach the end of the financial year, we warmly invite those who are able to consider supporting Pertame Projects through a donation. Financial contributions play an important role in sustaining our community‑led programs and ensuring this work can continue into the future. All donations are greatly appreciated and directly support Pertame language, culture and education initiatives.

To donate:
Direct deposit details:
Account Name: Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education
Bank: NAB
BSB: 085 933 
Account Number: 19 211 5207 
Reference: Pertame 
 
Please let us know once you have made a deposit be emailing us back and referencing that you have donated to Pertame Projects at Batchelor, so we can issue your tax‑deductible receipt and track our ongoing support.
Thank you again to Donors for standing with us throughout 2025. We look forward to continuing this journey together.
 
With sincere thanks,
Lee Causer, They/them, Pertame School and The Pertame Community

MORE:

Pertame School (PESC)
Centre for Australian Languages and Linguistics (CALL)
Desert Peoples Centre Campus, Alice Springs

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 | WEBINAR | Alternative First Responders Campaign: Action Webinar | Thursday 28 May 2026 11am-1.30pm AEST

[Edited extract from public address]

Join National Justice Project (NJP) for a free online webinar to explore how we can demand real change and advocate for alternative first responders to police.

Ahead of the Victorian state election, we’re bringing together leading advocates who are rethinking police-led first responses and driving the work in community-led solutions. Speakers to be announced soon!

You’ll then take part in on-the-spot actions to turn ideas into real, meaningful change.

Together, we can build momentum and put alternative first responders firmly on the state agenda.

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 2026

[Edited extract from public address]

Real change starts with community voices and community-led solutions.

Content Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised the following may include the names of First Nations people who have passed away. This email also includes distressing content.

Across health, youth justice and anti-racism work, change happens when communities lead and shape the solutions that affect their lives.

This can mean building culturally safe models of care, pushing for better first responses for young people, and demanding accountability when institutions are harming families.

In this edition of the Justice Brief, we’re sharing stories of community-led solutions, powerful advocacy and the people driving change across Australia.


 News and Updates 

RECOMMENDING | Young people deserve support, not police force

Last month, we shared our recommendations with the NSW Select Committee on Youth Justice, calling for urgent investment in alternative first responders for young people. Police-first responses are not working, and children’s lives are being shaped by the justice system before they’ve had the chance to be children. Research from Australia and around the world shows that young people need early engagement, family support and community-led solutions. Communities already know what works, and when they lead, outcomes are stronger.

REPORTING | Human Rights Commission accepts racism complaint against NSW Police

The Australian Human Rights Commission has accepted a racial discrimination complaint against NSW Police and Belgravia Leisure after several First Nations families were forced from the Inverell public pool last year. After staff called police over claims some children were “not following the rules,” families say they were threatened with trespass and escorted out. This decision is a huge step toward accountability and lasting change.

UPDATING | Final days of support available for submissions to the Racism Inquiry

A national inquiry into racism, violence and hatred towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is underway, and there are only a few days left to make sure community voices are heard before the 1 May deadline. Call It Out, a Jumbunna Research Institute initiative supported by the National Justice Project, is supporting people to share their stories. If you would like support, please get in touch before 24 April 2026.

TALKING | What Health Justice means for First Nations families

What does it take for healthcare to feel safe, respectful and free from racism? Across Australia, First Nations people are still being denied culturally safe healthcare, with laws, policies and systems creating barriers to access. In this month’s Justice Journal, we explored what Health Justice means in practice, why community-led healthcare matters, and how First Nations communities are leading solutions that work.

CELEBRATING | The National Justice Project team

Huge congratulations to Isabella, who has been admitted as a solicitor after joining the National Justice Project in 2024. Inspired while volunteering at Redfern Legal Centre, Isabella knew that working in social justice was her calling. As she takes the next step in her career, Isabella says her admission also brings a responsibility to approach legal practice in a way that recognises the importance of First Nations customary laws and the harm often perpetuated by Australia's formal legal system.

WEARING | National Justice Project Tee to Support us

Support our work by purchasing one of our brand new t-shirts or tote bags. Featuring our beautiful Justice Blossom Tee, 100% of the profits power our fight for justice.

AUST | NJP | WEBINAR | Alternative First Responders Campaign: Action Webinar | Thursday 28 May 2026 11am-1.30pm AEST

Join us for a free online webinar to explore how we can demand real change and advocate for alternative first responders to police.

Ahead of the Victorian state election, we’re bringing together leading advocates who are rethinking police-led first responses and driving the work in community-led solutions. Speakers to be announced soon!

You’ll then take part in on-the-spot actions to turn ideas into real, meaningful change.

Together, we can build momentum and put alternative first responders firmly on the state agenda.

HIGHLIGHTING | In the Media


JOGGING | 4 Justice


SUPPORTING | Social Justice

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

As a Public Benevolent Institution, The National Justice Project is 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.

Kind Regards,
The National Justice Project Team


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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 2026

[Edited extract from public address]

What does Health Justice actually mean?  

Health Justice means being able to walk into any hospital or clinic and know you will be treated with respect and receive the care you need, without fear of racism, bias or stereotyping.

But across Australia, First Nations people are still being denied safe healthcare, with laws, policies and structures that disempower communities from accessing health services. For families who experience these barriers, the consequences can be devastating.

Achieving Health Justice means dismantling these barriers to make sure care is safe for everyone.

Following World Health Day this week, National Justice Project (NJP) explores what Health Justice means and how it impacts First Nations women, families, and communities.
 

TALKING | With Professor Juanita Sherwood on building evidence with community

We spoke to Aboriginal Elder Professor Juanita Sherwood, a registered nurse, researcher at Jumbunna Research, and Vice-Chair Director of Waminda. With over three decades of experience, Professor Juanita has spent her career building evidence with communities to create solutions that strengthen First Nations health and wellbeing. She tells us why this work is crucial:
“I have been fortunate to be able to work with our First Nations Communities across Australia in urban, rural and remote settings over the last 30 years. These experiences have been both breathtaking and grounding, reminding me of the multiple strengths of our Peoples across Australia. Building evidence through research our way has established some vital solutions to contexts for community and their organisations that make a significant difference to their circumstances and the wellbeing of their Communities.

“The context of strength-based strategies grown in our communities in response to ongoing colonial injustices and injury are the strengths our people wish to share. Through research focused on our circumstances and strategies for improving our outcomes, using our ways of knowing, being and doing require funding based upon community research. Research is a tool for building our evidence, and telling our stories, and exploring ways forward that work for us. This is the work I am gifted to undertake and become inspired so often by the way our people care about our people, to make a difference for all.” 

SPOTLIGHTING | Birthing on Country program a powerful example of community-led healthcare

For more than 40 years, Waminda, South Coast Women’s Health and Wellbeing Aboriginal Corporation, has been providing culturally safe, holistic healthcare for Aboriginal women and their families.

Founded in response to the barriers First Nations women face when accessing health services, Waminda’s work shows what care can look like when it is community-led.

A major study released March 2026 found Waminda’s rural Birthing on Country model led to significantly more normal vaginal births, higher rates of exclusive breastfeeding at hospital discharge, and strong engagement with wrap-around wellbeing supports.

Their Birthing on Country program is a powerful example of health justice in action, supporting Aboriginal women through pregnancy and birth with culturally safe care.

GATHERING | The Partnership fighting for Health Justice

“Justice in healthcare means being treated with dignity, it means equity, it means not being targeted or stereotyped or turned away.” – Ariane Dozer, Head of Projects and Innovation
To achieve Health Justice, we need to work both inside and outside the courtroom.

Together with our partner organisations in the Partnership for Justice in Health (P4JH), we’re advocating for systemic cultural and policy change to eliminate racism from our health and justice systems.

The P4JH brings together First Nations health leaders, academics, legal experts, and civil society organisations to improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and justice outcomes.
 

HIGHLIGHTING | More on Health Justice


SUPPORTING | Social Justice

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

As a Public Benevolent Institution, The National Justice Project is 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.

Kind Regards,
The National Justice Project Team

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 National Justice Project | February 2026

[Edited extract from public address]

REMINDING | UN World Day of Social Justice Friday 20 February 2026 that injustice doesn’t happen in a moment, and neither does justice. 

For thousands of people, harm unfolds over years. Discrimination goes unchallenged, systems fail repeatedly, and voices are ignored. Making change takes people willing to stand alongside families affected, day after day.

For more than a decade, the National Justice Project has worked alongside people facing discrimination, using the law as a tool for truth-telling, accountability and systemic change.

Together, we challenge discrimination, expose systemic harm and ensure Australia lives up to its promise of equality and fairness for all.

We do not accept government funding, nor do we charge our clients, so regular support matters. Today we’re asking you to stand with people seeking justice in a powerful way. Join the Justice Allies and become a regular donor.


When you become a regular donor, you help us:
  • Show up consistently with clients on the frontline
  • Respond to impactful and strategic cases that can take years of support
  • Support courageous families seeking truth and accountability
  • Challenge discrimination and work to change the systems that allow injustice.

Your impact quadrupled
To mark World Day of Social Justice, any donations until 21 March 2026 will be matched. You can quadruple your impact by inviting a friend to donate too - when both of you give, your combined support goes even further.

Justice is more powerful when we stand together. All donations until 21 March will be matched thanks to our generous matched giver

DISCUSSING | Why the climate crisis is one of the greatest human rights challenges of our time

The Facts: The climate crisis is not just an environmental issue, it’s one of the greatest human rights challenges of our time.  

This World Day of Social Justice, we’re launching a new series that takes a deeper look at the issues behind our fight for justice and what needs to change, starting with global heating.  

Australia has already warmed by 1.5°C since 1910, with even small increases in temperature driving more extreme heat, storms, droughts, and floods.

The people least responsible for causing the climate crisis are often the hardest hit, with First Nations communities facing devastating impacts to land, water, and food systems, as well as deep cultural losses tied to Country.

People with disability face higher risks during climate disasters, as well as children and young people, who often face reduced access to basic needs such as food and safety.
Without meaningful government action and accountability falling short, urgent change is needed to protect communities from further devastation.

SYDNEY | NJP | GATHERING | LawHack 2026 | 26 March 2026

On 26 March, the National Justice Project will be co-hosting it's third LawHack in Sydney with the Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research.

LawHack 2026 brings together teams of legal professionals who will be asked to develop a strategic legal strategy to advance climate justice and pitch it to a panel of experts.

Through LawHack, we are laying the groundwork for climate justice work that holds governments and corporations to account and centres the leadership and lived experience of affected communities.


HAVING | Q&A with Principal Solicitor Ashleigh Buckett

Q: Why is the climate crisis a human rights issue?
A: "The climate crisis impacts the most basic rights people need to live safely and with dignity. Extreme heat, floods, and bushfires put lives at immediate risk, while negative impacts on health, food and water security can be just as dangerous."

Q: Why is the National Justice Project stepping into climate justice work?
A: "The communities the National Justice Project serves are being disproportionately affected by the climate crisis. Climate justice work is a natural extension of our mission to fight systemic injustice."

Q: What’s next for the National Justice Project in the climate justice space?
A: "LawHack 2026 will be our first major project in this space. It brings together teams of legal professionals to develop strategies to support climate justice, hold governments and corporations to account."


HIGHLIGHTING | Climate justice cases and movements in Australia

  • Pabai Pabai Case (2021) - Uncles Pabai Pabai and Guy Paul Kabai, from the Guda Maluyligal Nation, gave evidence that rising seas threaten their homes, culture, identity, and future on Country.
  • SchoolStrike4Climate - part of a global movement of student strikers committed to ending fossil fuel extraction and securing a safe and livable future.  
  • Seed Mob - A youth-led movement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people advocating for social, economic, and environmental justice.
  • Australian Youth Climate Coalition - A national network of young people campaigning for climate solutions and government accountability to address the climate crisis.
 
Kind Regards,
The National Justice Project Team


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 | January 2026

[Edited extract from public address]
Content Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised the following includes the names of First Nations people who have passed away. This email also includes distressing content.

The National Justice Project (NJP) acknowledges 26 January as a day to honour the survival of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures.

Invasion Day is a reminder that racism is not a thing of the past, it continues to shape everyday experiences for First Nations people in workplaces, schools, hospitals and public spaces. It’s also reinforced by the governments’ continued refusal to change ‘Australia Day’, despite the pain, violence and dispossession it represents.

In solidarity with First Peoples, the National Justice Project office will stay open on this day, and many of the team will attend marches and cultural events across the nation.

If we want a future free from racism, we must unite and Call It Out, online, in real life and within the systems that affect us all.
  • Read our latest blog to find out more on why January 26 matters, and what it means to stand up against racism today.
As we carry that commitment into 2026, we’ll be sharing a new series, Justice Journal, exploring the issues, cases and campaigns that drive our fight for justice.

Read more about our latest stories of impact below.

 News and Updates 

HONOURING | David Dungay Jr with New Annual Scholarship

A new $5,000 annual scholarship has been established in honour of David Dungay Jr to support Aboriginal health professionals working in the NSW criminal justice system. David died in Long Bay Prison Hospital in 2015 after being restrained by six guards. For nearly a decade, his mother Leetona Dungay has fought for accountability within a system that continues to fail Aboriginal people.

REPORTING | Racism targeting First Nations children increase

Following International Day of Education on Saturday 24 January 2026, new data reveals a shocking rise in reports of racist incidents targeting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people. The 2024-25 Call It Out Annual Report shows 26% of reports submitted involved children and young people aged 0–19. This is a 10-point increase from last year.  

SPOTLIGHTING | Inquest into death of 10-year-old First Nations boy

An inquest into the death of a 10-year-old boy who was under the care of the WA Department of Communities opened in December at Perth Coroner’s Court. The young boy, who cannot be named, died on 12 April 2024 in Perth while living with a relative. The National Justice Project is representing the child’s parents throughout the inquest process as they seek answers.

MARKING | 10 years of the National Justice Project

We are marking ten years of the National Justice Project with our newly released Impact Report 2015-2025. This reflects a decade of work securing accountability, driving systemic reform and standing alongside people who have been harmed and ignored.

PUBLISHING | Human rights report calls for Alternative First Responders

The newly released Alternative First Responders Human Rights Report exposes where Australia’s emergency response systems are falling short and why community-based alternatives are urgently needed.

HIGHLIGHTING | In the Media


SUPPORTING | Social Justice

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

As a Public Benevolent Institution, The National Justice Project is 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 2025

[Edited extract from public address]

As we reach the end of a brutal year, I would like to take a moment to express my deep gratitude for ongoing support of Donors.

I am incredibly moved that despite how challenging life can be, donors still make time to stand with us in defending human rights and fighting for justice.

Not only have donors partnered with us in 2025, but many of you have been involved for much longer. Some of you have been backing us since our first day back in December 2015.

We are truly grateful for donors' ongoing commitment. I want to demonstrate to you how much your support matters by sharing the first look at our 10-year (2015–2025) Impact Report.
 

Impact report

Together, we have called out systemic discrimination and spoken bold truth to power.

Through strategic thinking and innovation, our work has achieved life-saving policy and law reform, secured a historic parliamentary apology, overturned harmful government practices, reformed healthcare and policing systems, and secured life-changing compensation for hundreds of people.

Beyond this, we have led a national campaign for more compassionate responses to crises, launched world-first justice technology, and helped train the next generation of social justice leaders.

Some of our team, with the help of production company GUILTY, have reflected on what 10 years of the National Justice Project means to them.

Because of donors, 2025 has been one of the most impactful years in our organisation's 10-year history.

A huge thank you to everyone who supported our ‘10 Days of Human Rights’ end-of-year campaign – if you haven’t had the chance yet, it’s not too late to support.

Donors can still make a gift and help the fight for justice.

Every contribution, big or small, allows us to remain independent and increase our crucial work, supporting people who have been harmed and ignored for too long, and dismantling barriers to justice.
 
We wish you a wonderful holiday season filled with love and cherished moments. Rest well. Hold your family close. And know that we will keep fighting to create a fairer, more just society together with you.

The National Justice Project team will be taking a break from 19 December 2025 to 5 January 2026. We look forward to another year of impact in 2026.

With sincere gratitude,
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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BRISBANE | THSE | GATHERING | National Justice Forum | Tuesday 2-Friday 5 December 2025

[Edited extract from public address]

Breaking the cycle of incarceration via systemic reforms, cross-sector collaboration and lifelong support

Third Sector (THSE)’s 4th National Justice Forum is your essential platform for tackling the drivers of incarceration through bold systemic reforms, powerful cross-sector partnerships, and targeted, practical interventions. This dynamic program puts cultural safety, lived experience leadership, and community-led solutions at its core, moving beyond talk to real, lasting change.

Through inspiring keynotes, practical workshops, and meaningful networking, you’ll gain the strategies, partnerships, and insights you need to deliver more effective, equitable, and culturally safe justice responses for every community. 

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Third Sector (THSE)
Level 11, 155 Castlereagh Street, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia.
Tel: 02 9247 6000 or 02 9247 6333

Third Sector acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

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