Fears Fundamental Rights Ousted in NSW Bail Reforms

posted on August 25, 2014

ALHR fears that proposed changes to bail laws in New South Wales threaten to breach Australia’s international human rights obligations. Under the proposed reforms for serious offences, the onus will be on the accused to “show cause” that their detention in custody is unjustified. Nathan Kennedy, President of ALHR said “The changes would undermine the … Read More >>

ALHR Welcomes Government Backdown on Race Discrimination Changes

posted on August 5, 2014

ALHR welcomes the Government’s decision to drop proposed changes to s 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act. Nathan Kennedy, President of ALHR, said: “these changes were unpopular with the majority of Australians and inconsistent with international human rights law.  The Prime Minister rightly acknowledged that the proposed changes would have undermined Australia’s social cohesion.” Mr Kennedy … Read More >>

Australia – an Exclusive Club Not for Refugees

posted on May 23, 2014

Scott Morrison’s remarks yesterday continue to reveal the Abbott government’s ongoing violation of the Convention on the Status of Refugees, Nathan Kennedy, President of ALHR said today.

Removal of Disability Discrimination Commissioner a Disgrace

posted on May 16, 2014

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has criticised the Australian Government’s decision to cease funding a national Disability Discrimination Commissioner. The Government’s budget, announced earlier this week, declared it will make ‘savings … by reducing the number of special-purpose Commissioners [at the Australian Human Rights Commission] from the current seven to six’.

Extreme CMC reforms undermine democracy in Queensland

posted on April 16, 2014

The radical changes sought by the LNP in the Crime and Misconduct and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2014 will end a golden era of anti-corruption in Queensland. The reforms will erode the rights of everyday Queenslanders and compromise their ability to hold their Government and police force accountable via our robust and independent Crime and … Read More >>

ALHR urges caution on racial discrimination changes

posted on March 26, 2014

ALHR raised concerns with the Government’s exposure draft of proposed amendments to racial discrimination laws. John Southalan, ALHR’s President, said “This proposed change to the law removes important protections against racial discrimination. We reject the Government’s suggestion that racial vilification or intimidation is acceptable if done ‘in the course of…public discussion of any political [or] … Read More >>

Newman Government’s Juvenile Injustice Proposals

posted on March 19, 2014

ALHR today criticised the Newman Government’s proposed juvenile justice laws. Queensland Convenor, Benedict Coyne, stated this morning: “The Newman Government’s proposals are inconsistent with various human rights obligations under international instruments including the Convention on the Rights of the Child which Australia was one of the first countries to ratify in December 1990”. The full … Read More >>

Amicus application in the High Court

posted on March 12, 2014

On 12 February ALHR sought leave to make amicus submissions to the High Court, on the hearing of an appeal brought by the Western Australian Government and BHP Billiton against a native title decision of the Federal Court. The Court did not grant ALHR leave, but issued its decision on 12 March 2014 dismissing the … Read More >>

Queensland’s Climate Change of fear

posted on March 4, 2014

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) said today the Queensland Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie is deliberately cultivating a climate of fear. The Attorney-General has made legal demands on an advertising company about trade union billboard advertisements. Spokesperson, Benedict Coyne, says that the approach is part of a wider campaign by the Newman Government to silence critics … Read More >>

Concerns about approach by Human Rights Commissioner

posted on February 19, 2014

Australian Lawyers for Human Rights is deeply concerned about whether newly appointed Human Rights Commissioner, Mr Tim Wilson is properly fulfilling his role following comments on ABC’s Lateline program (17 February 2014). This morning in Sydney, Vice-President of ALHR, Mr Nathan Kennedy stated: “Mr Wilson’s comments about the nature of human rights show a fundamental … Read More >>

Justice and Human Rights under attack in NSW

posted on January 24, 2014

On 24 January ALHR issued a media release in response to the proposed new NSW laws imposing mandatory minimum sentences for a range of crimes including assault and affray. ALHR’s Vice President, Nathan Kennedy, said “The deaths due to recent ‘one-punch’ attacks in NSW are tragic and the Government has a responsibility to protect the … Read More >>