CCL Policies - 2004

At the Annual General Meeting of the New South Wales Council for Civil Liberties on 27 October 2004, the following two motions were passed unanimously:

MARRIAGE EQUALITY
That the NSW CCL, acknowledging the fundamental civil right of equality before the law, supports the rights of gay, lesbian and transgender people to marry under Australian law other adult people of their choosing and opposes any legal restriction on the right to marry and consequent legal rights and privileges on the grounds of sex or sexuality of the parties to the marriage.

DEATH PENALTY
The NSW CCL expresses grave concern at recent comments by the prime Minister, Opposition Leader and other federal politicans in support of the death penalty. We reiterate our longstanding total opposition to capital punishment. We call on all members of the Federal Parliament to reaffirm their opposition to the death penalty under all circumstances.

AUSTRALIAN HUMAN RIGHTS ACT
On 26 May 2004 the Committee of the New South Wales Council for Civil Liberties expressed its support for an interim statutory Human Rights Act for all Australians. CCL remains committed to a constitutional Bill of Rights, but CCL accepts that in the meantime a strong statutory Human Rights Act would help to protect the rights and freedoms of all Australians.

CCL adopted a new policy document that will be sent to all CCL branches around the country for endorsement.