Criminal

Vulturous ATO preys on the grave

Civil Liberties Australia — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 07:16:16 +0000

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 centuries ago.

This article was posted on the Civil Liberties Australia website.

America the brave hides behind bars

Civil Liberties Australia — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 06:23:21 +0000

In a recent series of articles, The Economist queries the sanity of the USA locking away more and more people in jails, some for almost unbelievable 'crimes', at increasingly greater cost year by year. There are lessons here for Australia.

This article was posted on the Civil Liberties Australia website.

Lindy's request should be granted

Civil Liberties Australia — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 22:01:41 +0000

The Editor, The Australian, Sir: I respond to your report by David Nason "Lindy savages police investigation of Azaria" The Australian 18 Aug 2010, p.3.

I noted at the time, 30 years ago, that the first coroner's report by Denis Barritt had cleared Mrs Chamberlain of any wrong doing. However, because of a most unprofessional police investigation, Lindy was convicted for the death of baby Azaria.

This article was posted on the Civil Liberties Australia website.

Students help frame debates

Civil Liberties Australia — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 08:53:53 +0000

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 if one of these research ideas interests you.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

Crime down, but perception up

Civil Liberties Australia — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 21:52:23 +0000

Crime is down in Australia and throughout the western world. But people think crime is rising, with some academics theorising it's because of all the cop shows on TV. Here's the official rundown for Australia - what do you think? Read more »...

This article was posted on the Civil Liberties Australia website.

Is Australia's fight for freedom only overseas?

Civil Liberties Australia — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 23:27:20 +0000

'Lateline' is on the TV, and its part 1 of a two-part program regarding Mentoring Team Alpha in Afghanistan...and I think of the Australian men killed in Afghanistan since 2001.

I reflect on my five years in Iraq and the men killed there. I think of the 'superb' BCR (battle casualty rate) of 12.5% of the 22,5000 Counter Insurgency personnel we trained in Iraq; hell how good is that! Only 2,812 (point 5) men killed. Bloody proud of that I am. Damn shame about the hundreds of thousands of women and children killed in Afghanistan and Iraq, but I guess they have to pay a price.

This article was posted on the Civil Liberties Australia website.

Building body more powerfulthan the confession cubicle

Civil Liberties Australia — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 07:04:07 +0000

The commission controlling the building industry has dictatorial powers out of place in a democracy, Prof George Williams says. A re-elected Gillard Government should legislate immediately to restore civil liberties and individual freedoms to construction workers.

This article was posted on the Civil Liberties Australia website.

Time to finalise matter of Mr Ward's avoidable death

Civil Liberties Australia — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 23:14:35 +0000

Editor, West Australian: I respond to your report 'Frustrated DPP sees flaws in quality of police probe' 29 June 2010, p7.

I have read Coroner Alastair Hope's report on Aborigine elder Mr Ward's death in custody, in the back of a prison transfer van, which includes his recommendations. In the report the coroner found that every level of authority from the Minister for Corrective Services Margaret Quirk, right down to the two drivers, in the coroner's words "failed in their duty of care".

It's important for the public to appreciate that, unfortunately, the police investigation of the matter did upset the coroner: that is, the two drivers were not kept separate before being interviewed...but that's only one of a number of aspects the coroner was concerned about.

This article was posted on the Civil Liberties Australia website.