Freedom of speech at sporting events
Andrew Vincent
With flagship events like the Melbourne Cup and the Formula 1 Grand Prix, Victoria has long been regarded as the premier state for major sporting events. In order to cement that position, the Brumby Government has introduced the Major Sporting Events Bill 2009.
Royal Commissions, ensuring independence
Georgia King-Siem
In January 2009, the Attorney-General announced that the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) would review the operation and provisions of the Royal Commissions Act 1902 (Cth). The ambit of the inquiry extends to all federal government ad hoc non-judicial non-executive public inquiries.
In particular, the ALRC is to consider:
Inquiry into surveillance in public places
Georgia King-Siem
As part of its broader inquiry into surveillance regulation in Victoria, the Victorian Law Reform Commission (VLRC) has now turned its attention to surveillance in public places. Previously, the VLRC has looked at surveillance in the workplace.
Free speech and inter-communal conflict
Dr Larry Stillman
The past year or so has seen pressure from some lobby groups in the Jewish community against a number of public events in Melbourne and Sydney as well as Fairfax media or the ABC for what it claims is anti-Israel bias.
Understanding and applying human rights
Dr Diane Sisely
December 10, 2008, marked the day 60 years ago when the world agreed on the principles and values necessary to safeguard if people are to be able to live a decent life, with dignity and respect.
Domestic violence and the duty to protect
Nerida Mulvey
In 2006, the UN General Assembly mandated an in-depth study on all forms of violence against women. The study outlines due diligence obligations of states, asserting: ‘States have an obligation to protect women from violence, to hold perpetrators accountable, and to provide justice and remedies to victims.’
It's time to write in our human rights
Michael Pearce SC
THE Committee held its annual planning day on Sunday 22 February 2009. The planning day is an opportunity for the Committee to think strategically about the year ahead, to reflect on goals and policies and plan without the distractions of the normal monthly meeting agenda.
The dangers of internet censorship
Larry Stillman
I GLANCED through an old book before I started to write this article. It’s nearly 40 years since Geoffrey Dutton and Max Harris published Australia’s Censorship Crisis, and aside from the fact that electronic systems of communication are now pervasive, nothing much seems to have changed in how governments behave and react to communications that appear to threaten our morality or national security.
Attack on free speech: Harry Nicolaides' case
Joshua Bernshaw
In Franz Kafka’s The Trial, Josef K wakes one morning to find he has been arrested for a mysterious and unidentified offence. I have always imagined Josef K might have thought himself to be dreaming; that somehow what was happening to him, his conversations with interrogators, his trial and ordeal, was just the manifestation of a fevered mind.
Volunteer for Liberty — ways to get involved
Philippa Briglia
Hi! I’m Philippa, the new volunteers coordinator. I’m currently in my fifth year of a Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws at Monash University, and my third year of a Diploma in Language (Arabic) at Deakin University. Previously I have volunteered for Wednesday Night Tutoring and Monash-Oakleigh Legal Service.
