Objection to the use of legal torture in the interrogation of suspects and witnesses is deeply rooted in the Australian psyche, mainly on the score of cruelty. But surely its rejection extends to the basic principles of justice, not just humanity.…
Politicians opposing the planned ACT jail ("Bipartisan attack on planned ACT jail", September 26, p3) are taking a narrow not-in-my-backyard view of prisons. As well as punishing those who have committed a criminal act, a prison has the…
I have lived in Australia for six years; American-ese is my mother tongue. I am seriously worried about my ability to pass the English language test proposed for citizens. I have no clue what "fair dinkum" means. "Mateship" s…
So the Austraian Federal Police (AFP) have now signed an agreement with Thailand to co-operate in criminal matters. Ruddock has said it will allow Australia and Thailand to assist each other in the investigation and prosecution of serious crime.…
While there are sensational media reports on the minor misdeeds of criminals on parole after serving years of imprisonment, no attention is focused on the cruel, inhumane practice of keeping hundreds of prisoners in solitary confinement for 2…
So Attorney-General Ruddock is threatening to override the recent ACT terror legislation. He feels our laws are flawed because we can’t preventively detain 16 and 17-year-olds and the AFP actually has to show that uses of its detention powers are n…
To citizens who value civil liberties and democracy, the move by the Federal government to over-ride the ACT Legislative Assembly anti-terror legislation is extremely disturbing. The ACT government modified draconian federal laws to be more in line…
Civil Liberties Australia congratulates the Chief Minister for standing up for the nation’s traditional legal system at the meeting of Australian governments, COAG. Mr Stanhope said the ACT would oppose a new double-jeopardy proposal, under which a p…
As the just released report of a comprehensive review of ACT Policing ( CT July12) was based on information up to June 2005 it may not have noted that Queensland is planning to curtail police-chases of drivers suspected of minor offences,…
Medical practitioners used to take a Hippocratic Oath, affirming their obligation to do the right thing by their patients. Do/should members of the legal profession make a similar promise to respect the rule of law and honour the freedoms enshrined in th…