Victoria’s First Nations body breaks new ground in support of prisoners’ ‘open air’ rights

For the first time since its creation, Gellung Warl has used its powers to challenge the Victorian government on a legislative bill that passed parliament last week. Gellung Warl is Victoria’s official, permanent representative body for First Peoples. It was established in May this year, under the state’s Treaty Act. It is opposing a bill that will remove the right of people in prison to at least one hour in the open air each day. The Labor government’s Corrections Amendment Bill 2026 gives…