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Keywords: Human Rights Act

  • AUSTRALIA

    Labor and the Coalition's cruel credentials

    • Kerry Murphy
    • 20 August 2013
    9 Comments

    Labor is subcontracting our international obligations to poor neighbours who do not have the resources to resettle refugees who may well have trauma issues. Not to be outdone in the cruelty stakes, the Coalition has four proposals, each of which has serious flaws. Neither party has a policy that respects relevant human rights issues, or an administrative system designed to ensure the correct decisions are reached.

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  • AUSTRALIA

    How to fix anti discrimination law

    • Moira Rayner
    • 25 January 2013
    21 Comments

    Anti-discrimination acts are meant to protect vulnerable people, not corporations or dominant ideologies. The employers I represent reap the benefits of understanding that diversity and inclusion are brilliant for business and productivity. The Government's new human rights consolidation bill has missed simple opportunities for real improvement.

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  • INTERNATIONAL

    East Timor's lessons for our abuse Royal Commission

    • Pat Walsh
    • 29 November 2012
    7 Comments

    Two principal conclusions can be drawn from the East Timor experience. First, a victim-friendly process is desirable, achievable and productive. If East Timor after decades of war and devastation could do it, Australia certainly can. But victims should not take for granted that the high level of public and political support the Royal Commission currently enjoys will translate into action.

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  • RELIGION

    Law and justice for abuse victims, Indigenous Australians and asylum seekers

    • Frank Brennan
    • 01 November 2012

    'Even without the political static which is drowning us all out down there in Canberra, there is real doubt whether the Gillard bluff 'Don't get on a boat because you might end up in Nauru' can do what the Howard bluff could not deliver.' Full text from Fr Frank Brennan SJ's Law and Justice Oration at the Law and Justice Foundation 2012 Justice Awards Dinner, Parliament House, Sydney.

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  • RELIGION

    Exempting churches from anti-discrimination laws

    • Frank Brennan
    • 07 September 2012
    18 Comments

    Church groups in Australia have vigorously campaigned to protect themselves from particular equal opportunity laws. While there is agreement about a faith community's right to employ practising believers, there is plenty of room for disagreement as to how most prudently and charitably to exercise that right.

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  • RELIGION

    Houston report's high cost of deterrence

    • Frank Brennan
    • 14 August 2012
    27 Comments

    Amending the Migration Act to make the old style Pacific solution less susceptible to judicial review errs on the wrong side of decency. The Coalition and the Greens should unite in the Senate to oppose it. In the protection of the human rights of asylum seekers, deterrence must come second to decency and accountability, even when we are trying to beat people smugglers.

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  • AUSTRALIA

    Best of 2011: Thousands of men and no groping

    • Trish Madigan
    • 06 January 2012
    3 Comments

    One website proudly proclaimed that Egypt's protests were a safe space for women. In fact women were on the frontline. They were part of a long history of women who have struggled for recognition of their human rights in Egypt. Published 15 February 2011

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  • EUREKA STREET TV

    Moira Rayner's 'spiritual' fight for justice

    • Peter Kirkwood
    • 21 October 2011

    'We can not achieve justice by acting unjustly.' Throughout her long and colourful legal career, Moira Rayner has been an unwavering advocate for human rights. A series of personal and professional crises in 2005 led to a reappraisal of her life, which included the discovery of a totally new spiritual direction.

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  • RELIGION

    Towards health equality

    • Frank Brennan
    • 24 August 2011
    10 Comments

    Factors such as education, housing and connectedness have a big impact on health. There is no point telling an unemployed homeless person: 'Don't smoke, it's bad for you.' It's time the Government made a concerted effort to address the health needs of marginalised groups.

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  • AUSTRALIA

    Thousands of men and no groping

    • Trish Madigan
    • 15 February 2011
    21 Comments

    One website proudly proclaimed that Egypt's protests were a safe space for women. In fact women were on the frontline. They were part of a long history of women who have struggled for recognition of their human rights in Egypt. 

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  • RELIGION

    Human Rights Act door still swinging

    • Frank Brennan
    • 07 June 2010
    13 Comments

    When the Government announced that its response to the National Human Rights Consultation would not include a legislative Charter of Rights, many activists despaired. I am more sanguine. We knew from the beginning that a Human Rights Act would be a big ask.

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  • RELIGION

    Human rights framework only a start

    • Frank Brennan
    • 23 April 2010
    19 Comments

    There is no getting away from the public's interest in a human rights act. But the Labor Government has baulked at the recommendation for such an act. While many Australians enjoy adequate human rights, we can do better.

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