On Friday, 6 February 2026, we had the privilege of welcoming the new cohort of first year law students starting at the University of Technology (UTS), as part of O-Week. Side-by-side with …
March 19, 2026
This World Storytelling Day – Pledge Your Story
March 19, 2026
In the Alternative First Responder position paper we share the data and research behind the issues and harms caused by status quo policing and the impacts that can have on individuals and whole communities. These patterns of police …
March 9, 2026
More than ambulances replacing police: What does better crisis response look like?
March 9, 2026
Dr Chris Maylea is a social worker, lawyer, and Professor of Law at La Trobe University. He has practice experience in mental health services as a social worker and manager, …
Dr Chris Maylea and Dr Panos Karanikolas – Blog, Opinion Piece
January 29, 2026
Alternative First Responders in Australia: Impact, Advocacy and Lessons from 2025
January 29, 2026
As we arrive in 2026, we wanted to reflect on how far this work has come, the lessons learned along the way, and the collective effort that brought us here. Alternative First Responder …
AFR Team – Blog
January 13, 2026
Beyond police in mental health crisis: centring First Nations leadership and community-driven care
January 13, 2026
When someone is experiencing psychological distress, the response they receive can mean the difference between safety and traumatisation. For too long, Australia has defaulted to the police as first responders …
Danelle Lever, Knowmore Legal Services – Blog, Opinion Piece
November 10, 2025
Building an Ecosystem of Care
November 10, 2025
When looking at the numerous contexts and communities that stand to benefit from the establishment of alternative first responders, the area of mental health is hard to ignore. It is …
AFR Team – Blog
September 8, 2025
Housing not hyper-policing
September 8, 2025
Across the world, cities that have reduced punitive enforcement and increased funding into social services, housing and community, have seen decreased numbers of people experiencing homelessness. Makes sense, doesn’t it? …
August 4, 2025
Grounded insight from the frontline: Keeping people safe and supported with the right response
August 4, 2025
When we began exploring the scope and impact of current criminal justice responses, people experiencing domestic, family and sexual violence – and the organisations that support them – were pivotal …
AFR Team, CAAFLU, CTBMCLC – Blog
July 7, 2025
The school-to-prison-pipeline
July 7, 2025
When we place police in schools, what message are we teaching? Everyone has the right to a culturally safe and responsive education. The school system in Australia is boasted as …
AFR Team & NIYEC – Blog
June 5, 2025
Life doesn’t stop at 5pm so why do our support services?
June 5, 2025
The 24/7 nature of policing has had a significant influence on their perceived legitimacy as a first response. When we need support at any stage, or we find ourselves in …
AFR Team – Blog, Conversation
RELATED MEDIA
- Kimberley Aboriginal community sets new blueprint for health and wellbeing, 16 March, National Indigenous Times
- AFR Campaign Lead Interview with 4ZZZ Radio, 7 March, 4ZZZ Radio
- Knife-wielding man shot dead by police at private home in Tingalpa, 3 March, 7News
- Officer ‘didn’t have time’ to turn on body-worn camera before shooting Sydney man having psychotic episode, inquest hears, 3 March, The Guardian
- ‘Less lethal’ deaths: courts examine role of controversial police weapons before three Australians died, 2 March, The Guardian
- Indigenous leaders back care-led response as alternatives to policing in South Australia, 20 February, National Indigenous Times
- New mental health support teams hit the ground in Lismore 20 February The Lismore App
- Youth justice experts warn over-policing of residential care children is ‘manufacturing criminals’ 20 February, ABC News
- United Nations critical of Australia’s age of criminal responsibility, incarceration rates 27 February, ABC News
- Centring community and care: why Australia needs an alternative to police-first responses 11 October, Cheek Media
