ALHR supports calls for establishment of a national commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people
Today, during National Children’s Week, SNAICC – National Voice for our Children and the Family Matters campaign are launching a joint position paper on the establishment of a national commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people. The position paper has been endorsed by over 80 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and … Read More >>
Queensland government proposal to fast-track anti-protest laws condemned
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) strongly condemns the Queensland government’s proposal to fast track the passing of anti-protest laws without full and proper public and stakeholder consultation. On Wednesday this week, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk indicated that the government will push the Summary Offences and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2019 (the Bill) through parliament … Read More >>
‘Robodebt’ violates international law
In a submission to the Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs inquiry into Centrelink’s compliance program Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has called for urgent reform, noting the system violates international law and is manifestly unjust. ALHR President Kerry Weste said, “The automated system, ‘Robodebt’, remains deeply problematic and raises significant human rights concerns, … Read More >>
WA Government introduces vital reforms
Western Australian Government applauded for Bill to cancel warrants for unpaid fines and long awaited roll out of Custody Notification Service. Last Thursday the West Australian Government tabled a bill in Parliament to cancel all unserved warrants for unpaid fines and on Wednesday, after many years of lobbying, a life-saving Custody Notification Service (CNS) went … Read More >>
Native title agreement-making process must be reformed
Australia’s leading association of human rights lawyers, has spoken out about the urgent need for reform of the native title agreement-making process, saying it must comply with international human rights standards. The comments come after the Queensland Government used its available statutory discretions to extinguish native title over 1,385 hectares of Wangan and Jagalingou (W&J) … Read More >>
Human rights lawyers welcome ACT law legalising personal cannabis possession
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has welcomed Wednesday’s passage of legislation that allows people in the Australian Capital Territory to possess up to 50 grams of marijuana and to grow up to four plants per household. ALHR President Kerry Weste said, “ALHR congratulates the ACT Parliament on the passage of these laws as an … Read More >>
Migration Amendment (Strengthening the Character Test) Bill 2019
ALHR made a submission to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee regarding the Migration Amendment (Strengthening the Character Test) Bill 2019 reiterating the concerns we raised in our submission to Committee’s 2018 inquiry in relation to the Migration Amendment (Strengthening the Character Test) Bill 2018. The effect of the Bill is to further expand the powers of … Read More >>
Inquiry into the Migration Legislation Amendment (Regional Processing Cohort) Bill 2019
ALHR made a submission to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee regarding concerns with the provisions of the Migration Legislation Amendment (Regional Processing Cohort) Bill 2019. Our submission reiterates the concerns raised in ALHR’s 2016 submission to the Committee’s inquiry in relation to the Migration Legislation Amendment (Regional Processing Cohort) Bill 2016. ALHR strongly opposes the fresh attempt … Read More >>
ALHR strongly opposes any measures to either repeal or reduce the scope of the Medevac legislation
In a submission to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee regarding the Migration Amendment (Repairing Medical Transfers) Bill 2019 (August 2019), ALHR again expressed its strong opposition to any measures to either repeal or reduce the scope of the Medevac legislation, including via the Bill. The Medevac legislation seeks to ensure that people who are currently … Read More >>
Abortion decriminalised in NSW
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has welcomed the passage today of historic laws to decriminalise abortion in New South Wales. ALHR President Kerry Weste said “We are extremely pleased that, after many, many years of advocacy the law in New South Wales will finally be updated to remove archaic provisions criminalising abortion.” “New South … Read More >>
School Strike for Climate
Leading human rights lawyers have spoken out in support of students’ right to attend Friday’s climate change strikes. Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) President Kerry Weste said, “ALHR stands with children and young people around Australia as they exercise their internationally-recognised human rights to peaceful assembly, freedom of speech and to be heard.” “The … Read More >>