Australia will not get a Human Rights Bill. Pale imitations - schools education program and PR campaign - are likely to feature in the 2010 Budget. But at least there's hope that the most undemocratic development in Australia's governance over the past… more »

Is the way Australia decides to go to war appropriate for a democratic nation? What about formal reporting to the people on war progress, and parliament controlling the purse strings? These major questions will get more prominence in the lead-up to the e… more »

CLA will concentrate this year on liberties issues around mental and aged health, and water rights, as well as focusing on the trend towards greater dominance of executive government. Obviously, internet censorship will be a major issue to fight again… more »

CLA has succeeded in getting nine words inserted into the new, draconian Serious and Organised Crime Bill so that judges have discretion to overturn cases where it would obviously not be in the public interest to prosecute.  As well this month, t… more »

The Greens' have chosen a candidate for the Higgins federal by-election who is rabidly pro-censorship of the internet - directly contrary to the Greens' stance on the issue, so that they appear to be adopting the rubbery principles of other political par… more »

Requests for CLA to analyse and propose improvements to federal and state laws are increasing considerably. Current issues we're working on cover children's issues to the nation's war powers, as well as reforming our electoral laws. The pace will only i… more »