On 21 June 2013 the Terms of Reference paper for the Australian Government’s Productivity Commission inquiry into Access to Justice Arrangements became available. The Issues Paper was released on 16 September 2013 and the draft report was published on 8 April 2014. On 25 May 2014, ALHR President, Nathan Kennedy presented submissions. In its observations, … Read More >>
The Prime Minister and the Minister for Small Business announced a review of competition policy on 4 December 2013. The Issues Paper was released on 14 April 2014 and was open for submissions until 10 June 2014. ALHR’s submission is available below. There will be further opportunities for consultation after the release of the Draft Report (currently scheduled for release at … Read More >>
In January 2014, the NSW Government proposed a reform package to deal with drug and alcohol related violence. That package included proposals for mandatory sentencing on a range of offences. ALHR NSW campaigned vigorously against the mandatory sentencing, issuing a press release (available here) and writing to every member of the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council. … Read More >>
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights has identified deficiencies in the inquiry which the Commonwealth Attorney-General has set the Australian Law Reform Commission in relation to ‘traditional rights, freedoms and privileges’. Members of ALHR are together formulating ALHR’s submission, and have identified various problems with the TOR which are fully explained in a paper by Dr Tamsin Clarke which … Read More >>
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has made a submission to the Commonwealth Attorney-General in relation to the proposed amendments to the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth).
Here is the link to a speech given by former ALHR President Stephen Keim SC on the proposed changes to the Crime and Misconduct Commission.
The report, Island of impunity? Investigation into international crimes in the final stages of the Sri Lankan civil war, was produced by the Public Interest Advocacy Centre’s (PIAC’s) International Crimes Evidence Project (ICEP). The report sheds new light on some of the worst alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the final months of the … Read More >>
The 2014 annual general meeting of ALHR will be held on 31 March 2014 at 6pm Australian Eastern Daylight Time (ie. the time in Sydney/Canberra/Melbourne). Full details are available below. All ALHR members are encouraged to consider nominating for a position on the national committee, and to attend the AGM where elections for the 14/15 … Read More >>
ALHR made a submission to the Senate inquiry into overseas aid and development. ALHR’s submission identified the relevant international human rights standards, to which Australia has committed, and emphasised two main points. [1] Australia is able to be a more significant actor in international development, particularly when compared with the action of other countries in … Read More >>
On 16 February ALHR made a submission to the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade, in relation to the Inquiry about the Fair Trade (Workers’ Rights) Bill 2013. ALHR’s submission stated that ‘passing the Bill will assist Australia to meet its obligations as a member of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and to … Read More >>
On 23 December 2013, ALHR announced it will be making a submission to inquiry by the Australian Law Reform Commission into ‘laws that encroach upon traditional rights, freedoms and privileges’. Various ALHR members have indicated an interest to be involved in ALHR’s work on this, and the research and drafting will begin in earnest in … Read More >>
ALHR has criticised the Commonwealth’s announcement that it will cap onshore permanent protection visas for 2013/14 at 1650 already issued. ALHR’s Vice President, Nathan Kennedy, spoke on SBS condemning the Government’s decision: “It seems to be certainly within Australian domestic law an ability to do this but once you owe someone protection under the Refugee … Read More >>
