Lauren, National Coordinator

I am originally from Victoria but am lucky to be living on Arrernte Country in beautiful Mparntwe/Alice Springs. I am the National Coordinator for the Your Story National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (NATSILS) team. I am passionate about First Nations justice issues and disability rights and was excited by the opportunity this role presented to combine my experience and interests in these areas.

Since being admitted to legal practice in 2007, I have been fortunate to spend 10 years working at different Aboriginal Legal Services (particularly the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service, Central Australia Aboriginal Legal Aid Service and the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency) in casework, policy and advocacy roles. I coordinated CAALAS’ response to the Royal Commission into the Protection and Detention of Children in the NT (RCPDCNT) and felt privileged to represent and assist young people and families as they shared their experiences and insights with the Commission.

I have also worked with women experiencing domestic and family violence in Central Australia and the Barkly in legal casework and community legal education roles. More recently, I worked at the Community Visitor Program, an independent statutory body based within the NT Anti-Discrimination Commission that monitors, promotes and safeguards the human rights of those receiving treatment in the mental health and disability systems.

I am strongly committed to supporting the important work being done by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services across the country, and look forward to supporting the contributions of ATSILS specialist Your Story staff and their clients to this Disability Royal Commission.