The First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria (Assembly) has made a submission to the Victorian Government to immediately withdraw the Corrections Amendment Bill 2026 (Bill) as it is inconsistent with the spirit and intent of Statewide Treaty.
The Assembly made the submission to the State using new powers acquired under the Statewide Treaty Act, which came into effect after signing a Treaty with the State last year.
The Corrections Amendment Bill seeks to deny the right of people in prison to spend at least one hour each day outside in the open air and sunlight. The Assembly’s submission makes the point that the vague excuse of ‘operational considerations’ should not be relied upon to erode the basic rights and conditions of all people in prison.
Assembly Co-Chair, Djaran Murray-Jackson, expressed deep concern that the Parliament is being asked to enact a law that is inconsistent with the commitments of Statewide Treaty, undermining the renewed relationship set between First Peoples and the State last year.
“This Bill is not in the spirit of Treaty nor is it compatible with the Statewide Treaty Act. Our submission calls on the State to listen to First Peoples and withdraw the Bill immediately”, Djaran said.
The Assembly shares the concerns raised by First Peoples Community experts, including those with lived experience that the Bill will have a disproportionate impact on First Peoples who are significantly overrepresented in Victoria’s correctional system.
Speaking at the Stop Suffocating Human Rights rally at Parliament House on Wednesday, Assembly Member for the North East, Jarvis Atkinson, explained how there are a significant proportion of First Peoples who are currently held in remand without a formal sentence, and First Peoples are vulnerable to systemic neglect and solitary confinement.
“I’ve been there. I’ve been incarcerated. I know how much they look forward to that one hour of yard time a day. A place where they can go, they can get some fresh air, see the sky, get some sunlight and get some exercise before they return to those 4 walls” Jarvis said.
The Bill proposes to override the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 (Vic) and excludes its application from the limitation on accessing open air. The Bill also stands against those findings and recommendations of the Yoorrook Justice Commission, specifically implementing the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners.
You can read the Assembly’s Submission in full here.
Media contact: Clare Brosnan 0487 555 501 | [email protected]
