ALHR

In July 2015 made a submission on the Bill to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (attached).  ALHR believes that Australia should deal with its citizens under its own laws and not put terrorists or other criminals beyond the reach of Australian law. Australia has legal obligations pursuant to United Nations Security Council … Read More >>

UPDATE The ALRC has released its Interim Report which reflects the law as at 17 July 2015. Attached is a copy of the report titled ‘Traditional’ rights and freedoms – Encroachments by Commonwealth Laws’.   ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ In February 2015, ALHR submitted to the ALRC that: International human rights standards are the criteria by which the … Read More >>

ALHR has made a submission in response to the OHCHR’s global consultation initiative on business and human rights (the ‘Accountability and Remedy Project’). The aim of the Accountability and Remedy Project is to gather information on corporate accountability for human rights abuses in different legal jurisdictions. The Accountability and Remedy Project seeks information on corporate … Read More >>

ALHR made a submission focusing on the human rights and rule of law implications of Schedule 6 of the Bill which proposes the insertion of new ss 360.3A and 361.5 into the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Criminal Code). The proposed sections would introduce a mandatory minimum five year term of imprisonment for the existing offences … Read More >>

ALHR is strongly opposed to this Bill and recommends that it be rejected in its entirety. The Bill gives private security officers the power to use force against people, including children, in immigration detention facilities that is greater than the force allowed in analogous State and Territory prison legislation. ALHR notes that most people in … Read More >>

ALHR has provided a submission to the Senate Inquiry into the appropriateness of residential care for young people with disabilities. ALHR addresses the adequacy of aged care for young people with serious and/or permanent mental, physical or intellectual disabilities and the options and consequences of de-institutionalising those people from residential care.

ALHR has made a submission to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security in relation to the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Amendment (Data Retention) Bill 2014.  ALHR strongly opposes the adoption of the Bill. As the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security noted in 2013: a mandatory data retention regime raises fundamental privacy issues, and … Read More >>

ALHR has made a submission to the Senate Standing Committee on Education and Employment’s inquiry into the Fair Work Amendment (Bargaining Processes) Bill 2014. ALHR’s primary concerns are that the Bill (1) should not on its face breach the human rights of persons affected by that legislation; and (2) should not be capable of being … Read More >>

ALHR has found the Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment Bill 2014 does not reflect an appropriate balance between the government’s domestic and international obligations to protect its citizens from terrorism and its international obligations to preserve and promote its citizens’ fundamental human rights. In a report to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security ALHR submits it is essential that Australian anti-terrorism laws … Read More >>

In a submission to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee on the Migration and Maritime Powers Legislation Amendment (Resolving the Asylum Legacy Caseload) Bill 2014 (attached below), ALHR has found aspects of the Bill incompatible with Australia’s international human rights obligations. ALHR recommends that the Bill not be passed. At a time when, more than ever, people require the protection … Read More >>

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ALHR has made a submission (below) UN Committee Against Torture as part of its fifth periodic review of Australia during its 53rd session from 3-28 November 2014. ALHR’s submission solely addresses issues concerning Australia’s policies, laws and practices on asylum seekers and refugees and, in particular, how Australia’s current policies, laws and practices contravene … Read More >>

UPDATE The Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee has tabled its report recommending against the passage of the Recognition of Foreign Marriages Bill 2014. The Committee concluded: 2.54 The committee notes that passage of the Bill would legislate a form of discrimination in that same-sex couples able to marry overseas would be afforded a different set … Read More >>