Dr. Abigail Lewis
@abigaillewis.bsky.social
policy & advocacy @vacro.bsky.social | PhD sustaining tenancies in social housing | abolition, care, community | filipina/brit on stolen land
Both extraordinary and important.
Extraordinary intervention by ombudsman in Victorian youth crime crackdown
Marlo Baragwanath warns the state government's crackdown on youth offenders will result in less humane treatment in detention centres.
www.abc.net.au
November 15, 2025 at 6:11 AM
Both extraordinary and important.
Reposted by Dr. Abigail Lewis
At Vacro, we strongly oppose the proposed changes to youth justice legislation to try children in the adult system and incarcerate them, in some cases, for life.
Vacro will work with our sector colleagues to advocate against this harmful legislation being passed and push instead for what works.
Vacro will work with our sector colleagues to advocate against this harmful legislation being passed and push instead for what works.
Children to be tried as adults in youth justice overhaul
Offenders as young as 14 face life in jail under Premier Jacinta Allan’s plan to enforce “adult time for violent crime”, including home invasions, carjackings and armed robbery.
www.theage.com.au
November 12, 2025 at 6:17 AM
At Vacro, we strongly oppose the proposed changes to youth justice legislation to try children in the adult system and incarcerate them, in some cases, for life.
Vacro will work with our sector colleagues to advocate against this harmful legislation being passed and push instead for what works.
Vacro will work with our sector colleagues to advocate against this harmful legislation being passed and push instead for what works.
Reposted by Dr. Abigail Lewis
Our world-first Reintegration Practice Framework was recently cited by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in its global study on social reintegration: www.ohchr.org/en/documents...
The report was presented to the Sixtieth session of the Human Rights Council.
The report was presented to the Sixtieth session of the Human Rights Council.
October 19, 2025 at 9:47 PM
Our world-first Reintegration Practice Framework was recently cited by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in its global study on social reintegration: www.ohchr.org/en/documents...
The report was presented to the Sixtieth session of the Human Rights Council.
The report was presented to the Sixtieth session of the Human Rights Council.
Reposted by Dr. Abigail Lewis
Submissions are now pouring in and the common factor is that almost everyone – the competition regulator, manufacturers and even some in the gas industry – is pointing the finger at Santos. www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10...
Why Santos is behind your soaring electricity and mortgage costs
It was a primary force behind Australia’s inflationary surge, it’s forced businesses either to the wall or to shift offshore, undermined national industry policy and resulted in the loss of countless ...
www.abc.net.au
October 13, 2025 at 10:35 PM
Submissions are now pouring in and the common factor is that almost everyone – the competition regulator, manufacturers and even some in the gas industry – is pointing the finger at Santos. www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10...
Reposted by Dr. Abigail Lewis
How did #Housing shape the 2025 #auspol Election? Come to our free webinar.
We analyse new data to see how generation, tenure and voting shape housing politics
With @emmabaker.bsky.social @shaunratcliff.bsky.social and @everybodyshome.bsky.social Maiy Azize
events.humanitix.com/webinar-on-h...
We analyse new data to see how generation, tenure and voting shape housing politics
With @emmabaker.bsky.social @shaunratcliff.bsky.social and @everybodyshome.bsky.social Maiy Azize
events.humanitix.com/webinar-on-h...
Housing and the 2025 Federal Election: Between Crisis and Inertia
Join our free webinar for key insights into housing and politics—ideal for researchers, students, and policymakers tackling Australia's housing crisis.
events.humanitix.com
October 14, 2025 at 12:15 AM
How did #Housing shape the 2025 #auspol Election? Come to our free webinar.
We analyse new data to see how generation, tenure and voting shape housing politics
With @emmabaker.bsky.social @shaunratcliff.bsky.social and @everybodyshome.bsky.social Maiy Azize
events.humanitix.com/webinar-on-h...
We analyse new data to see how generation, tenure and voting shape housing politics
With @emmabaker.bsky.social @shaunratcliff.bsky.social and @everybodyshome.bsky.social Maiy Azize
events.humanitix.com/webinar-on-h...
Reposted by Dr. Abigail Lewis
We were proud to attend the Inner North Community Foundation Awards at Abbotsford Convent last night and celebrate the ongoing funding awarded to our Second Chance Cycles program.
October 14, 2025 at 1:48 AM
We were proud to attend the Inner North Community Foundation Awards at Abbotsford Convent last night and celebrate the ongoing funding awarded to our Second Chance Cycles program.
Reposted by Dr. Abigail Lewis
“The 20-year study also found that the increase in prison population did not correlate with an increase in individuals committing crimes, with the number of offenders per capita reaching its lowest level in 2023-24.”
Rise in Victoria's prisoner numbers outpaces population growth
Victoria's prison population has surged by 62 per cent in the last 20 years as the number of accused held on remand triples.
www.abc.net.au
October 12, 2025 at 8:28 PM
“The 20-year study also found that the increase in prison population did not correlate with an increase in individuals committing crimes, with the number of offenders per capita reaching its lowest level in 2023-24.”
My reflections at the end of #ISHF2025 Day 1:
My God, we are so behind! So many accepted norms in much of Europe – Housing First; rent control; STR regulation (/eradication!); the basic premise that market intervention is needed in a failed housing market – are considered radical in Australia.
My God, we are so behind! So many accepted norms in much of Europe – Housing First; rent control; STR regulation (/eradication!); the basic premise that market intervention is needed in a failed housing market – are considered radical in Australia.
June 4, 2025 at 7:54 PM
My reflections at the end of #ISHF2025 Day 1:
My God, we are so behind! So many accepted norms in much of Europe – Housing First; rent control; STR regulation (/eradication!); the basic premise that market intervention is needed in a failed housing market – are considered radical in Australia.
My God, we are so behind! So many accepted norms in much of Europe – Housing First; rent control; STR regulation (/eradication!); the basic premise that market intervention is needed in a failed housing market – are considered radical in Australia.
Who else out there is heading to #ISHF2025?
I'm so excited to visit Dublin for the first time (!) and learn from social housing experts from around the world!
I'm so excited to visit Dublin for the first time (!) and learn from social housing experts from around the world!
May 30, 2025 at 5:19 AM
Who else out there is heading to #ISHF2025?
I'm so excited to visit Dublin for the first time (!) and learn from social housing experts from around the world!
I'm so excited to visit Dublin for the first time (!) and learn from social housing experts from around the world!
Reposted by Dr. Abigail Lewis
Two ABC articles, one day apart. Two diametrically opposed approaches to crime prevention.
One works. The other just got three quarters of a billion dollars in funding.
If we want stronger, safer communities that can overcome the drivers of crime, we *must* invest in them instead.
One works. The other just got three quarters of a billion dollars in funding.
If we want stronger, safer communities that can overcome the drivers of crime, we *must* invest in them instead.
May 15, 2025 at 7:44 AM
Two ABC articles, one day apart. Two diametrically opposed approaches to crime prevention.
One works. The other just got three quarters of a billion dollars in funding.
If we want stronger, safer communities that can overcome the drivers of crime, we *must* invest in them instead.
One works. The other just got three quarters of a billion dollars in funding.
If we want stronger, safer communities that can overcome the drivers of crime, we *must* invest in them instead.
Reposted by Dr. Abigail Lewis
Wanna reduce crime?
Open more libraries.
"we find within the nearby proximity of the library; there is a substantial reduction in frequency of burglaries, vandalism, robberies, fraud, and assaults."
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Open more libraries.
"we find within the nearby proximity of the library; there is a substantial reduction in frequency of burglaries, vandalism, robberies, fraud, and assaults."
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Do public libraries help mitigate crime? Evidence from Kansas City, MO - Journal of Cultural Economics
We examine the relationship between public libraries and local crime rates. Previous studies have looked at different factors that could account for changes in crime, but few have focused on cultural ...
link.springer.com
May 12, 2025 at 12:50 AM
Wanna reduce crime?
Open more libraries.
"we find within the nearby proximity of the library; there is a substantial reduction in frequency of burglaries, vandalism, robberies, fraud, and assaults."
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Open more libraries.
"we find within the nearby proximity of the library; there is a substantial reduction in frequency of burglaries, vandalism, robberies, fraud, and assaults."
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Reposted by Dr. Abigail Lewis
Fentanyl deaths are up by 50 percent in San Francisco after Mayor Lurie replaced harm reduction programs with police and prisons. It's almost like you put lives in danger when you treat a public health problem like it's a crime
48hills.org/2025/05/fent...
48hills.org/2025/05/fent...
Fentanyl deaths up 50 percent in three months; why isn't this a big news story? - 48 hills
Plus: A terrible project that Yimby, Wiener and Co. has forced on San Francisco. That's The Agenda for May 11-18
48hills.org
May 12, 2025 at 11:31 PM
Fentanyl deaths are up by 50 percent in San Francisco after Mayor Lurie replaced harm reduction programs with police and prisons. It's almost like you put lives in danger when you treat a public health problem like it's a crime
48hills.org/2025/05/fent...
48hills.org/2025/05/fent...
Nearly a billion dollars magically found in this 'tight fiscal environment' to punish and harm more people.
Nearly a billion dollars that could have gone to youth and community services that *actually* build stronger and safer communities.
Absolutely infuriating.
Nearly a billion dollars that could have gone to youth and community services that *actually* build stronger and safer communities.
Absolutely infuriating.
New bail laws prompt $727m government spend on Vic jails
The Victorian government has promised to spend $727 million ramping up capacity in the state's prisons and youth justice centres, following tougher new bail laws introduced in March.
www.abc.net.au
May 12, 2025 at 11:31 PM
Nearly a billion dollars magically found in this 'tight fiscal environment' to punish and harm more people.
Nearly a billion dollars that could have gone to youth and community services that *actually* build stronger and safer communities.
Absolutely infuriating.
Nearly a billion dollars that could have gone to youth and community services that *actually* build stronger and safer communities.
Absolutely infuriating.
Do you know someone who:
🟣Is a digital comms whizz & can do socials, email, website, & even a bit of video/graphic design?!
🟣Is passionate & knowledgeable about justice system reform?!
🟣Wants flexible p/t hours at an NFP that walks the talk & truly supports wellbeing?!
Send them to me please! ⤵️
🟣Is a digital comms whizz & can do socials, email, website, & even a bit of video/graphic design?!
🟣Is passionate & knowledgeable about justice system reform?!
🟣Wants flexible p/t hours at an NFP that walks the talk & truly supports wellbeing?!
Send them to me please! ⤵️
Digital Communications & Advocacy Specialist
Position Snapshot Salary range - $85,126.08 - $91,587.60 (Pro Rata) Level 4 SCHADS Award 2010 + Superannuation (pay point dependent on qualifications and experience) Part time 0.6FTE ongoing position ...
www.vacro.org.au
April 17, 2025 at 12:58 AM
Do you know someone who:
🟣Is a digital comms whizz & can do socials, email, website, & even a bit of video/graphic design?!
🟣Is passionate & knowledgeable about justice system reform?!
🟣Wants flexible p/t hours at an NFP that walks the talk & truly supports wellbeing?!
Send them to me please! ⤵️
🟣Is a digital comms whizz & can do socials, email, website, & even a bit of video/graphic design?!
🟣Is passionate & knowledgeable about justice system reform?!
🟣Wants flexible p/t hours at an NFP that walks the talk & truly supports wellbeing?!
Send them to me please! ⤵️
Reposted by Dr. Abigail Lewis
International students are perhaps the most unfairly attacked demographic in all of Australia. We invite them here. The reason they come is to get an education. Most are incredibly nice people who benefit our country in all sorts of ways. They massively cross-subsidise domestic students.
Utterly moronic decision-making by BOTH duopoly parties - sacrificing the hugely important education sector when it should be thriving, all because they’re incapable of tough decisions on real estate investment rorts.
Cutting students is not the solution to housing.
amp.abc.net.au/article/1051...
Cutting students is not the solution to housing.
amp.abc.net.au/article/1051...
Coalition pledges to limit new international student enrolments to 240,000 per year - ABC News
amp.abc.net.au
April 6, 2025 at 10:43 AM
International students are perhaps the most unfairly attacked demographic in all of Australia. We invite them here. The reason they come is to get an education. Most are incredibly nice people who benefit our country in all sorts of ways. They massively cross-subsidise domestic students.
Reposted by Dr. Abigail Lewis
Utterly moronic decision-making by BOTH duopoly parties - sacrificing the hugely important education sector when it should be thriving, all because they’re incapable of tough decisions on real estate investment rorts.
Cutting students is not the solution to housing.
amp.abc.net.au/article/1051...
Cutting students is not the solution to housing.
amp.abc.net.au/article/1051...
Coalition pledges to limit new international student enrolments to 240,000 per year - ABC News
amp.abc.net.au
April 6, 2025 at 7:52 AM
Utterly moronic decision-making by BOTH duopoly parties - sacrificing the hugely important education sector when it should be thriving, all because they’re incapable of tough decisions on real estate investment rorts.
Cutting students is not the solution to housing.
amp.abc.net.au/article/1051...
Cutting students is not the solution to housing.
amp.abc.net.au/article/1051...
Reposted by Dr. Abigail Lewis
Australia could be taking advantage of the millions of students now too scared to go to university in America.
Instead both Dutton and Albanese are threatening to *massively reduce* intl student numbers.
Instead both Dutton and Albanese are threatening to *massively reduce* intl student numbers.
Even without ICE's horrible abuses, a pattern of arbitrarily revoking student visas makes the US no longer a viable schooling option for international students.
Bringing them to the US has been one of our strongest sources of soft power.
Everything this fucking guy does benefits Putin.
Bringing them to the US has been one of our strongest sources of soft power.
Everything this fucking guy does benefits Putin.
This is happening to students at colleges & universities nationwide. Their status is bring terminated & visa revoked. Often, the student has no obvious history to justify the govt's actions. Affected students should seek knowledgeable immigration counsel immediately.
April 6, 2025 at 7:45 AM
Australia could be taking advantage of the millions of students now too scared to go to university in America.
Instead both Dutton and Albanese are threatening to *massively reduce* intl student numbers.
Instead both Dutton and Albanese are threatening to *massively reduce* intl student numbers.
Reposted by Dr. Abigail Lewis
The VIC Government has announced plans to reverse its 2023 bail reforms.
This will hurt children, families, and communities. Harsh bail laws put thousands of people in prison who likely won’t be sentenced to a term of imprisonment and may not even be convicted of a crime.
Read our media release:
This will hurt children, families, and communities. Harsh bail laws put thousands of people in prison who likely won’t be sentenced to a term of imprisonment and may not even be convicted of a crime.
Read our media release:
March 13, 2025 at 2:34 AM
The VIC Government has announced plans to reverse its 2023 bail reforms.
This will hurt children, families, and communities. Harsh bail laws put thousands of people in prison who likely won’t be sentenced to a term of imprisonment and may not even be convicted of a crime.
Read our media release:
This will hurt children, families, and communities. Harsh bail laws put thousands of people in prison who likely won’t be sentenced to a term of imprisonment and may not even be convicted of a crime.
Read our media release:
Reposted by Dr. Abigail Lewis
Closures instead of 'reforms'.
Releases instead of transfers.
Inside the @curbprisons.bsky.social People’s Plan for Prison Closure:
Releases instead of transfers.
Inside the @curbprisons.bsky.social People’s Plan for Prison Closure:
California activists call on Newsom to close 10 prisons
Local groups are ramping up an abolitionist campaign, urging Gov. Gavin Newsom to direct funds from prisons and jails to supportive services
prismreports.org
March 4, 2025 at 5:43 AM
Closures instead of 'reforms'.
Releases instead of transfers.
Inside the @curbprisons.bsky.social People’s Plan for Prison Closure:
Releases instead of transfers.
Inside the @curbprisons.bsky.social People’s Plan for Prison Closure:
Reposted by Dr. Abigail Lewis
Australian landlords are rushing to their property managers right now to drop rents. That's how it goes yeah? #shitrentals
February 18, 2025 at 4:19 AM
Australian landlords are rushing to their property managers right now to drop rents. That's how it goes yeah? #shitrentals
Reposted by Dr. Abigail Lewis
The willingness of our politicians, institutions and corporations, from the ABC down, to allow themselves to be intimidated like this speaks to the fragility of our democracy. Lattouf, Sakr, Lalor and now Sabsabi.
By being so gutless, these organisations make us all vulnerable to authoritarianism.
By being so gutless, these organisations make us all vulnerable to authoritarianism.
February 13, 2025 at 10:01 PM
The willingness of our politicians, institutions and corporations, from the ABC down, to allow themselves to be intimidated like this speaks to the fragility of our democracy. Lattouf, Sakr, Lalor and now Sabsabi.
By being so gutless, these organisations make us all vulnerable to authoritarianism.
By being so gutless, these organisations make us all vulnerable to authoritarianism.
Reposted by Dr. Abigail Lewis
Creative Australia ditching Khaled Sabsabi as our representative at the Venice Biennale is an extraordinary denial of artistic freedom by our supposedly leading & independent arts advocate.
A week ago Sabsabi said he thought the honour "wouldn’t happen because of who I am.” Turns out he was right.
A week ago Sabsabi said he thought the honour "wouldn’t happen because of who I am.” Turns out he was right.
February 13, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Creative Australia ditching Khaled Sabsabi as our representative at the Venice Biennale is an extraordinary denial of artistic freedom by our supposedly leading & independent arts advocate.
A week ago Sabsabi said he thought the honour "wouldn’t happen because of who I am.” Turns out he was right.
A week ago Sabsabi said he thought the honour "wouldn’t happen because of who I am.” Turns out he was right.
Reposted by Dr. Abigail Lewis
#BREAKING All five artistic teams shortlisted for the 61st Venice Biennale have released a joint statement in support of winning duo Khaled Sabsabi and Michael Dagostino who were dumped by Creative Australia following media and political pressure.
The group calls for them to be reinstated.
The group calls for them to be reinstated.
February 14, 2025 at 12:28 AM
#BREAKING All five artistic teams shortlisted for the 61st Venice Biennale have released a joint statement in support of winning duo Khaled Sabsabi and Michael Dagostino who were dumped by Creative Australia following media and political pressure.
The group calls for them to be reinstated.
The group calls for them to be reinstated.
WHAT! I was literally just listening to his Full Story interview this morning. This is disgusting
Just a week after announcing award-winning Lebanese Australian artist Khaled Sabsabi as Australia’s pick for the 2026 Venice Biennale, Creative Australia has capitulated to media and political pressure and dumped him.
February 14, 2025 at 7:01 AM
WHAT! I was literally just listening to his Full Story interview this morning. This is disgusting