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.
Paul Gregoire explains how the NSW Greens are highlighting the protection for tenants provided in the ACT Human Rights Act (HRA) since September 2025. The Greens want similar protection in a new NSW HRA.
Analysing what the real threat of ’terrorism’ is now in Australia, rising 25 years from the aircraft attacks on New York, may be fundamental to knowing whether many far-reaching laws are still appropriate, according to the Independent National Security Legislation Monitor, Jake Blight. CLA’s contribution, by Dr Tony Murney, to Blight’s inquiry gives the lie to the scare-mongerers and security screamers, and points out the danger of being fearful of the wrong threats, now and into the future.
Much-ballyhoed bike ’safety’ claims look somewhat different when subjected to a ‘whole-of-life(style)’ analysis by dedicated research Colin Clarke. Do helmets lead to immobility and obesity, at a greater cost to public health than accepting accidents will happen whenever you poke your nose into the great outdoors? Why have $15 fines become $240 (when they should be about $35) and become a new way for police abuse by selecting poor citizens for harassment?
An amended Human Rights Act for the Australian Capital Territory, tabled in September 2023, contains nation-leading clauses to ensure ’No Rights Without Remedy’ can become a model for a possible federal Human Rights Act in future. Celebrating the 20th anniversary of Australia’s first HR Act, the nation’s first Human Rights Minister, Tara Cheyne, has introduced changes in the ACT so that citizens from 2024 can seek formal conciliation if there is an alleged breach of their rights by the bureaucracy, which has a positive duty whenever possible to act consistently with human rights. She also praised CLA and Chris Stamford for our work in helping to make positive change happen,
