The drug "war" is yet another example of hyperbolic rhetoric where political and law enforcement public relations spin has replaced practical analysis and fiscal common sense. When 'the powers-that-be' realise that the basis for tackling drugs should be economic savings to the nation – with improved health and crime prevention benefits as a by-product – we might start to get somewhere, Bill Bush writes.

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Noel McLaughlin (Letters 3 April 2012 Canberra Times) misrepresents (columnist) Jack Waterford’s position on the AFP. Jack was not criticising the personal bravery of individuals. Rather, what I understood him to be saying is that the AFP have been encouraged, both by sweeping anti-terrorism legislation, and the enthusiastic and uncritical support of a previous Attorney-General, to use their authority and resources inappropriately in a ‘win at all costs’ way. Little consideration seems to have been given to ensuring that those charged with enforcing the law, do so in accordance with what the law actually says, and not what they think it says.

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The proposed WA Mental Health Act aims to deliver "best possible treatment and care", but the Bill does not reflect these noble words, says CLA lead author Rhys Jones. Rather than enhancing people's rights, the draft Bill actually increases the the ability for the State to treat people against their will, making life easier for the health bureaucracy rather than better for the mentally ill.

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CLA has received many requests over the past few months for information about people's civil liberties and rights in relation to surveys by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The ABS is becoming more like Big Brother in its approach, it seems, in two major surveys currently under way into Health, and Financial/Utilities. Here's a report of a recent interview...

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The Australian Government's proposed National Human Rights Action Plan has some significant shortcomings, the author of CLA's submission on the plan, Rhys Michie, said. The "national" plan lacks contributions from NSW, Qld, SA, WA, Tas and the ACT; it downplays the role of human rights in counter-terrorism actions, and has few performance indicators, quantifiable targets or finite timelines.

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"Security" is the new catch-all excuse for massive, over-the-top spending without having to prove value for money, or pass a cost-benefit analysis, says economics guru Saul Eslake. From manufacturing through food to electricity and water, "security" has become the password for avoiding rigorous, independent, arms length scrutiny.

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CLA is concerned at the creeping trend throughout Australia to make more offences subject to "strict liability". That is government lawyer speak: it means that, under these new types of laws, you have to prove you are innocent rather than the government proving you are guilty, which has traditionally been the basis of Australian law. Here, in a letter responding to CLA's criticisms, is how the ACT Chief Minister tries to justify proposed new and badly-written laws over smoking in cars.

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