Author Archives: Youthlaw

MEDIA RELEASE: 5 November 2020

Youthlaw welcomes the Federal Government’s proposal to establish a national anti-corruption body, but says that Victoria still needs to do more to strengthen its own Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC).

“We support the establishment of a federal oversight body, but it won’t replace the need to strengthen the anti-corruption system right here in Victoria,” said Ariel Couchman, CEO, Youthlaw.

MEDIA RELEASE – 13 October 2020

Youthlaw, Victoria’s free legal service for young people, has criticised new laws to expand the reach of armed Protective Services Officers (PSOs) that are expected to pass the Legislative Council this week, saying many laws were being introduced “under cover of COVID”.

This article originally appeared in the Law Institute Journal of Victoria’s Law Journal in October 2020. View the PDF of the article here.

Most of us take it for granted that our family will be there to help when we’re facing financial difficulties, problems with a job or relationship, or even just guide us through the basics of independent living such as signing a tenancy agreement or breaking a lease.

Youthlaw, Victoria’s youth legal centre and YACVic, the state’s youth peak body, have condemned a Bill to expand the reach of Protective Services Officers (PSOs), saying that there is no evidence that PSOs improvecommunity safety, and that young people and Aboriginal Victorians are among those who will bear the brunt of the increased policing of public space.