CLA’s policy on criminal justice
All Australians are entitled to protection from arbitrary arrest and unnecessary detention; to a fair, speedy and public trial; to be presumed innocent until proven guilty, and to legal advice and representation.
Sentencing should be based on the principle of rehabilitation wherever possible.
Victoria is one of the more enlightened states in looking after Indigenous people…but still the statistics are appalling, as this analysis by Keith McEwan (pictured) points out. “Life is not so good for an Indigenous person living in Victoria…or, for…
As governments worldwide cut back on prison numbers to save money, New Zealand is headed in the other direction, counter-intuitively cutting back on rehabilitation services, which will increase repeat offending and lead to more cost to the taxpayer.“To…
The relatively new Human Rights Council has created new power blocs in international affairs. Australia will come under the spotlight in the four-yearly Universal Periodic Review, in early 2011, of how well we’re doing as a nation in terms of ensuring th…
With an appeal pending in the High Court from the SA Government because of the over-turning of part of its ‘bikie’ legislation, similar laws are largely on hold Australia-wide. In WA, motorcycle groups are getting active ahead of a likely mid-year in…
Australia will not get a Human Rights Bill. Pale imitations – schools education program and PR campaign – are likely to feature in the 2010 Budget. But at least there’s hope that the most undemocratic development in Australia’s governance over the past…
The Howard and Rudd governments’ response to the threat of terrorism in Australia has been extraordinarily excessive, under any proper risk analysis. It seems all governments like to ramp up fear, to keep the community docile. Here Chris Michaelsen highl…
It’s official! The UN says that the Rudd Government is acting in a racially discriminating manner and breaching international human rights obligations with its NT intervention. So says James Anaya, the Special Rapporteur, in his Advance report.NT inter…
Who would have thought a Labor Government would introduce Big-Brother-like ID numbers for school students! With the rationale that parents could “be able to track the records of a child’s schooling” even if they move schools.
I have been/am a teacher.…
Australian drug policies are not working: criminals are getting richer, prison populations are swelling and there are major national health problems, including deaths from overdoses in every State and Territory. Surely, CLA says, it is time for the new N…
A man’s serving five years in jail in Queensland for customs duty evasion, a federal offence. Anywhere else in Australia he would be free. Is this a fair go? Here Tim Vines outlines how ‘justice’ in Australia depends on where you live. And there’s also s…