News
New report released into the impact of the “Permanency Amendments” and their effect upon vulnerable children
A new report containing an analysis of the data for outcomes for children since the "permanency amendments" made in Victoria in 2016 has just been released by Victoria Legal Aid. We provided several case studies for the report highlighting the experiences of our...
Victoria to have a Spent Convictions Scheme
Victoria is finally introducing a spent convictions scheme, which means that after 10 years for adults, and 5 years for juveniles, minor offences will no longer appear on a police record check. Minor convictions particularly impact on those who are disproportionately...
Fears of a COVID generation of kids in State care
Kids in State care are unable to have face to face contact with their parents, creating a COVID generation of kids who will most likely never return to their families. This situation is exacerbated by strict 2 year time frames enshrined in law, with no ability for the...
Metro Children’s Court goes virtual – New Practice Direction
The Children's Court of Victoria has issued a new practice direction commencing on Monday 13 July 2020 and running for the next 6 weeks switching all cases to online hearings in an effort to minimise court users attending court. This immediately effects the Children's...
Kids As Young As Ten To Be Charged With A Crime.
"In Victoria, the law allows for kids as young as ten to be charged with a crime, brought before the court, and locked up. The age a child can be held criminally responsible in every Australian state and territory is ten—one of the lowest in the Western world and in...
Use Of Force
Use of force against children is not OK. If you dehumanise kids, then it seems OK to tear gas them in a cell. Don Dale case in the High Court at the moment. Read more on the Sydney Morning Herald