A wise Australian polity has told its parliament: "You must do better". Given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, political parties and independents have the chance to improve structures and streamline operating systems for the good of the peo… more »

It's a sorry choice facing liberties and rights people as Australia heads into the 2010 election. Three years of Labor have been disappointing, but the Liberals are unlikely to offer improvement.  Meanwhile, unnoticed, the Senate is still operati… more »

The takeover by Julie Gillard as Prime Minister of Australia in June may mean there are opportunities to re-visit some issues thought dead under former PM Kevin Rudd's agenda. Among these is a bill of rights nationally. Such a bill has new momentum becau… more »

The 2010 federal budget papers show the Rudd Government is spending more than $500m to "further strengthen security" this year...but has allocated zero funds to further safeguarding the liberties and rights of Australians. The massive spending imbalance… more »

As the Rudd Government fails to honour traditional Labor policy to introduce a Bill of Rights, there's hope that the new Tasmanian Government may lead the other states by introducing just such a bill, already supported in a widespread consultation proces… more »

A major report into aged care is ringing loud alarm bells in a sector of health care often not usually closely watched or supervised. CLA is preparing a campaign to help protect the rights of older people, and the mentally ill. Meanwhile, police car cha… more »