Help Aborigines first, jail them last
The ever-increasing rate of Aboriginal jailing in Australia ‘shocks the conscience’ and comprises ‘unequal justice’, says WA’s Chief Justice Wayne Martin. He calls for urgent meaningful remedies. 10 July 2017
Category: Indigenous
Australia needs an Act of Contrition
The Mabo ‘legal’ decision left a lot to be desired, tidally speaking. Arguably, the wrong people sat in judgement. It’s time for an Indigenous Manifesto, says Louis Coutts. 1 Aug 2016
Fighting for abortion rights
People will be surprised to learn that, in two major Australian states, abortion is illegal. It’s time to end the subterfuge, and makes sure the law allows women choice. 14 June 2016
Paperless arrests may lead to deaths
NT police powers to make ‘paperless arrests’ are completely contrary to recommendations by the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody, says Thalia Anthony: more deaths are likely. 8 June 2015
Politics is eating away at Rule of Law
Insidiously, fundamental justice cornerstones of our society are being eaten away as government Acts and actions diminish respect for, and operation of, the Rule of Law, Lou Coutts says. 4 June 2015
We must hang on to essential freedoms
There’s a danger we could sleepwalk our way into losing our liberties, Michael Cornish says, as he examines some disturbing trends in how people are being treated. 10 April 2015
12 unite against youth jailing
A proposed harsh new mandatory sentencing law – jailing even more Indigenous children – would simply increase taxes on WA citizens without clear benefit. It should be amended, CLA says. 18 March 2015
Aborigines: resilience, courage and humour
White Australia responds to Aborigines’ resilience, courage and humour with ignorance, arrogance and entrenched disadvantage. We have much to learn, writes Dr Des Griffin after a new report. 10 Feb 2015
Gough memories: state of origin
Most people of a certain age have a Gough Whitlam story: here’s a couple more anecdotes from the quick quips and after-dinner range. Vale. 27 Oct 2014
Photos of two giants, drinking…
Many will be the national memories of Gough Whitlam. Here are some recorded in historic photos illustrating how he gave Aborigines the rights to their own land. 21 Oct 2014
They hanged Tommy…and still do
Cruel Australia hanged Tommy-types 200 years ago. Now, we imprison them in foetid cells on far-off islands, so that only sweet smells permeate our cocoons. 3 Aug 2014