Civil Liberties Australia

The coming federal election result will demonstrate clearly how Australia stands in relation to a world trend towards self righteous indignation benefiting the few contrasted with greater social justice lifting the many. Even global media barons, like Rupert Murdoch, are painting themselves as much-put-upon underdogs, as we report in this issue. 

Civil Liberties Australia – in its customary Australia Day letter – has called on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to commit to a social justice program, including a Human Rights Act for Australia, if he and the Labor Party are re-elected in the coming months. After four years of active campaigning, CLA believes a re-elected Labor govt would have plenty of support from the Greens, Independents, and the ‘teals/etc” to pass such legislation. Meanwhile, recent state election results, coupled with the likely return of the govt in WA, means Australia is tilting strongly towards a nationwide police state mentality.

Long term barrister and passionate justice advocate John Lawrence has written about the ‘collapsing’ NT legal system as a new government tries to legislate to prevent crime. That hasn’t worked anywhere, and is unlikely to fare any better in the NT, which faces unique challenges.