With a new style permeating the federal parliament, CLA has produced a list of suggested new laws and ways of operating which could make Australia a more liberties and rights-friendly nation.  But even as we propose change for the better, the government is considering a 'dob in a neighbour' scheme that would cut across Australia's culture and import some of the worst aspects of Americana here.

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Independent MPs have managed to force consideration of new shield laws protecting journalists and whistleblowers, which is a credit to Andrew Wilkie and Nick Zenophon. However, the government has reverted to type in re-introducing - without public consultation - proposed identity crime and aviation laws which double jail penalties in areas where there is no evidence that increased penalties will have any effect.

Other topics covered in October include:

• Fair Go: Australia's territorians want equal rights;
• former High Court judge speaks against 'freedoms';
• jail time up in one state, down in another;
• academic study shows prison time may increase crime;
• parole board under fire for applying wrong laws;
• new bill of rights consultation is under way;
• emergency laws give legal academics the shakes;
• US internet tapping powers may be cloned here;
• EU court upholds media's right to protect sources;
• Britain considers decriminalising drugs;
• Burqa ban comes into effect in France; and
• FBI spied on domestic environmental/animal groups.

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