November 12, 2025
Community legal centres deplore youth justice sentencing reforms that will make communities less safe
The Federation of Community Legal Centres strongly opposes the Victorian Government’s proposed youth justice sentencing reforms, which would introduce life sentences for aggravated home invasions and aggravated carjackings, escalate certain cases from the Children’s Court to the County Court, and expose children to adult sentencing powers in the County Court for a number of offences.
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October 31, 2025
Victoria takes a historic step towards a Treaty agreement for First Nations Peoples
The Victorian Government has passed the Statewide Treaty Bill, in a momentous step towards reconciliation and justice for First Nations Peoples in Victoria. The Statewide Treaty commits Victoria to a renewed relationship with First Nations Peoples that is informed by respect for First Nations Peoples’ relationship to Country, Culture and Community and their authority to self-determine decisions that impact their lives. It is a vehicle for moving forwards in equal partnership with mutual respect, reciprocity, transparency and a commitment to justice, equality and healing for First Nations Peoples.
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September 09, 2025
Community legal centres learning and connecting at the National Community Legal Centre Conference in Canberra
During the first week of September, representatives from community legal centres across the country descended upon Canberra to learn from and connect with sector experts and peers at CLCs Australia’s National Community Legal Centre Conference.
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September 03, 2025
Community legal centres urge Government to reconsider rushed Bill – which will pave way for mass deportations to Nauru
The Australian Government has introduced legislation to expand its powers to enforce deportation, by removing peoples’ right to natural justice (or fair decision making). If passed, the legislation would see people deported to third countries like Nauru without notice, where they may be face violence, medical neglect and family separation.
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August 27, 2025
Victorian Government passes more amendments to bail laws, rather than investing in initiatives to stop people offending
Despite many months of powerful advocacy from human rights and other expert community groups and Aboriginal organisations, the Victorian Government has passed the Bail Further Amendment Bill 2025. This will unreasonably restrict access to bail and increase the already skyrocketing number of unsentenced people in Victorian prisons.
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