Category: Charter of Rights
Vulturous ATO preys on the grave
Article posted on Thursday 26 August 2010
As the Actor represents Everyman, so Paul Hogan represents us all over the bureaucratic inequities of oppressive legality and secrecy laws in Australia. He is now locked in the debtor's prison the nation is becoming, reverting to its penal role two centu… more »
Reform committee needs more time,
resources and publicity, CLA says
Article posted on Monday 23 August 2010
The processes of an almost 'secret' Senate Select Committee on Reform of the Australian Federation (SCRAF) should re-start completely, CLA says. SCRAF's inquiry was totally swamped by the August 2010 federal election: the questions asked of the committee… more »
Victoria adopts automatic enrolment
Article posted on Monday 09 August 2010
The Victorian Legislative Council has passed the Electoral Amendment (Electoral Participation) Bill 2010, which introduces automatic electoral enrolment for all school students on their eighteenth birthdays, and allows election-day enrolment for everyone… more »
Students help frame debates
Article posted on Monday 26 July 2010
CLA works with advanced and honours students on topics of mutual interest, where the student gains credits for 'internship' programs or honours studies, and CLA benefits from excellent research papers which help to shape a current or future dilemma. See… more »
Govt shuts off open debate
Article posted on Monday 26 July 2010
The Gillard/Conroy connection has closed off debate on internet censorship by releasing, under FOI, an secret industry consultation document with more than 90% blacked out. The reason for the blackout: fear of "premature unnecessary debate". Read more… more »
Do the 'bikie laws' breach rights?
Article posted on Saturday 12 June 2010
Do the 'bikie laws' breach rights?What does CLA think of the SA legislation - the 'bikie laws' - now being considered, on appeal, by the High Court. Does the Act breach an individual's human rights, we were asked by a student?Dear Ms XXXXX,Serio… more »
Because we're the
United States
of America...
Article posted on Sunday 30 May 2010
If you're planning a trip to the USA, you might to hear this tale of how one Canadian husband and wife team, intent on a shopping trip, ran into language difficulties. Click for more »... more »
Debate over burqa
highlights need
for bill of rights
Article posted on Wednesday 19 May 2010
The burqa debate involves complex questions of individual and group rights, Dr Chris Michaelsen told the Australian Federation of Muslim Councils conference in Sydney in May 2010, speaking on behalf of CLA. But in Australia, there's no national »... more »
Australians lose over rights
Article posted on Wednesday 21 April 2010
Australians have been denied the opportunity to restrict the power of the political elite by the Rudd Government's failure to enact a national Bill of Rights, CLA says. Federal MPs who believe in individual rights should coalesce across political boundar… more »
SAS man speaks out for liberty
Article posted on Thursday 11 March 2010
A former SAS soldier, the newest member of the WA Parliament, delivered a telling commentary on the erosion of civil liberties in Australia when he gave his maiden speech in March. "...a speech capable of making the hairs on the back of your neck stand u… more »
Proud nation can be compassionate
Article posted on Tuesday 26 January 2010
Being proud of Australia is a good thing on Australia Day, but embedded in nationalism always lurks the danger of an exclusionary attitude to people who are not exactly like us, says James Dunn. The best nationalist is an internationalist, who knows that… more »
Does the Pacific need special charter?
Article posted on Thursday 17 December 2009
As Australia considers its own rights instrument, the question arises: should we encourage a Charter of Rights for Pacific Island nations? In a CLA-ANU internship paper which received high marks, Kelly Haines-Sutherland analyses whether such a document w… more »
Uighurs are truly 'special' refugees
Article posted on Friday 20 November 2009
The Uighurs from Guantanamo Bay, innocent of anything other than fleeing persecution, should be viewed with compassion by the Rudd government, Chris Michaelsen writes. A large Uighur population in Australia can help them, whereas their confinement on the… more »
Should we entrench a Bill of Rights?
Article posted on Thursday 19 November 2009
As Australia awaits the government's decision on a Bill of Rights, the debate is switching to whether such a Bill should be 'entrenched' in the Constitution, or an ordinary Act of Parliament. Here's the view of Prof Brian Opeskin, of Macquarie Uni.So… more »
CLA welcomes human rights report,
calls on MPs for bipartisan action
Article posted on Friday 23 October 2009
CLA congratulates the National Human Rights Consultation Committee for an excellent report and recommendations after an exhausting process. Now it is time for the politicians to respond in a bipartisan way to what the people clearly want - a clear and un… more »
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