Category: Articles

CLArion Aug 2026: Rights must underpin civic responsibilities

CLA CLArion Monthly newsletterSupport for a Human Rights Act for Australia is now solidified on the ALP election platform. Parliament should pass an Australian ‘rights’ law ASAP before handing down a greater national ‘responsibilities’ education scheme in late-2027, after the Bell Royal Commission into Social Cohesion and Antisemitism reports in December 2026. More than 75% of Australians support legislating a Human Rights Act. 

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CLArion July 2026: Changing one word for human rights

This month’s ALP election platform conference will be asked to change just one word to hasten legislating a Human Rights Act for Australia. Read all about how we got to this pivotal time after nine years of intensive efforts…and we list the rights you’re likely to get. There’s news of efforts gathering momentum in NSW and SA in particular for their own HRAs, as Tasmania also pressures the state government to take action. ASIO scarer-in-chief Michael Burgess leads the bad acting in his annual press pantomime. And even the police union lays into Queensland’s hard right – but wrong – Crassafulli government. 

CLArion June 2026: Building a fairer-kinder society

The nation-building challenge of creating a fairer and kinder society must be underpinned by legislating a national Human Rights Act in the near term, experts across the board are saying. PM Anthony Albanese can show refreshing statesmanlike leadership by backing the massive support within his own party, across the Parliament, and throughout Australia (better than 75%) for the initiative, which will be needed to support the planned civics education aiming for greater social cohesion.

Why does Australia have so many private prisons?

As states and territories plump more and more for harsh new ‘law and order’ legislation, and curtail bail options, the number of prison places needed through the nation is likely to surge dramatically. Private prison operators have sometimes been seen as a solution to curbing jail running costs…but are such companies as efficient and effective and humane as claimed? Rick Sarre takes a look.

CLArion May 2026: ALP members want Human Rights Act

Australia’s chances of gaining a Human Rights Act within 18 months have suddenly risen sharply as the newly-released draft Labor Party platform – a document reflecting the wishes of ALP members nationwide – specifically calls for the Albanese government to seriously “consider” enacting a federal HRA. July’s party conference in Adelaide could see the polite request translate into firmer and faster proposed action as official Labor policy.

CLArion April ’26: Bondi RC sub proposes twin solutions

Civil Liberties Australia’s submission to the Bell Royal Commission (see item below) proposes national civics education on people’s rights and responsibilities, underpinned by an accessible bill of rights in the form of a legislated Human Rights Act. CLA has suggested to Virginia Bell, the Royal Commissioner into the Bondi massacre, antisemitism and social cohesion, that she makes the CLA concept a core element of both her first report (an interim one, this month) and the final report in December this year covering her findings and recommendations to the Australian government.