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 >>
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 6 March ALHR held its first meeting in SA for 2014, featuring the Honourable Catherine Branson QC speaking on the topic ‘Current human rights issues in South Australia’. The meeting, at the University of Adelaide, was well attended by around 50 members of ALHR and others, who heard Ms Branson address homelessness, disability rights … Read More >>
On 5 March ALHR held a panel discussion on the racial hatred provisions of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth) in Sydney. The speakers included Dr Tim Soutphommasane (Race Discrimination Commissioner, Australian Human Rights Commission), Ms Kate Eastman SC (human rights barrister, founding member of ALHR, member of the Bar Association’s Human Rights and Equal … Read More >>
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 >>
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 >>
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 >>
We are pleased to confirm that ALHR NSW will be holding a panel discussion on the proposed repeal of, or amendments to, the racial hatred provisions of the Racial Discrimination Act. We are honoured to have Australian of the Year, Mr Adam Goodes, attending as our guest. Confirmed panelists include: Dr Tim Soutphommasane, Race Discrimination … Read More >>
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 >>
On 17 January ALHR issued a media release welcoming the announcement by Premier Newman that the Queensland government intends to repeal the bikie laws. ALHR’s spokesperson, Benedict Coyne, stated ‘The government is obviously under pressure. Its propaganda war against bikies as a justification for passing such repugnant and undemocratic laws is clearly not working’.
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 >>
Cuts to legal services risk human rights Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) have joined national calls for the Australian Government to reconsider its cuts to legal services. ‘These cuts will undermine national efforts to protect the human rights of all Australians,’ said ALHR President, John Southalan. ALHR opposes cuts to the Aboriginal and Torres … Read More >>
