Crispin Hull’s article "We’re all human and the next rights breach might be yours", July 1, pB7) is a salient summary of the last decade of Australia’s human rights record. Australia being signatory to various UN human rights treaties is me…
As the various state and territory governments are bit-by-bit expanding the use of DNA databases, here are two suggestions that would increase public confidence (or make politicians think a bit more carefully a) To give public confidence in…
Good on Justice Ken Crispin for reading the riot act to ACT police and magistrates over their sloppy use of police search warrants in the ACT ("ACT court again criticises search warrant procedure", May 16, p3).
No…
Attorney-General Mr Ruddock appears to have ignored the views of his own Liberal colleagues, Senator Gary Humphries and the shadow ACT attorney-general, Bill Stefaniak, in proposing to veto the ACT civil unions law.
No one in the ACT -…
We were very surprised and dismayed to read that Police Minister Hargreaves has decided not to release the police report on their part in the tragic death of Clea Rose ("Hit-run report not for public, March 25, p1).…
Katrina Williams’ letter (Letters, February 1) is strong on emotion but short on fact. She says she doesn’t know whether the judge or the law society is more wrong for the acquittal of James Cook, and she refers to the ACT’s "out of touch judges&q…
On Australia Day, when we proudly sing, "Australians all, let us rejoice, for we are young and free", we should also remember the Anti-terrorism (No2) Bill which was rushed through Federal Parliament on December 6.
Along with ma…
For over five years, David Hicks has been confined for 23 to 24 hours a day in a single cell at Guantanamo Bay, deprived of human contact, natural light and fresh air.
Years ago, similar prison practices in Australia at Katin…
I refer to Commissioner Dunn’s response (CT, January 5) to my letter regarding the power to evacuate property owners during a bushfire.
Commissioner Dunn acknowledges that the power to evacuate does "exist", but is "designed for a…
I support the call by Lance Williamson (CT January 2): the Government should heed the McLeod Inquiry recommendation that property owners should have the right to remain and defend their property against fire, if they choose.
Such bodies…