Core concerns for this group are protecting free speech and free media from unwarranted censorship and constraint and promoting open government and whistle-blower protection.
Submission: Telecommunications Amendment (Get a Warrant) Bill 2013
NSWCCL has made a submission to Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs on the inquiry into the Telecommunications Amendment (Get a Warrant) Bill 2013.
"It has never been more important that lawful surveillance and intrusions upon privacy, which a democratic nation determines to be necessary and proportionate for its security, are subject to strong independent oversight, accountability and maximum transparency.
The amendments proposed in this Bill, if enacted, will provide a significant strengthening of these protections."
- The NSWCCL strongly supports the purpose of the Bill as set out in the explanatory memorandum
- NSWCCL supports the proposed amendments to the TIA Act in the Bill
- NSWCCL supports a more comprehensive review and amendment of the TIA Act
Key national security reports released
A number of reports have been released recently that are key for the ongoing activities of the National ASIO Campaign.
Read moreSupplementary Submission: Inquiry into Racial Vilification Law in NSW
NSWCCL recently appeared before the New South Wales Legislative Council Standing Committee on Law and Justice to give evidence relating to the inquiry into racial vilification law in NSW.
A supplementary submission has been made in response to questions posed during the committee hearing, providing more detailed discussion than possible at the hearing.
NSWCCL gives evidence at inquiry into NSW racial vilification laws
As reported by ABC news, members of NSWCCL recently appeared before the New South Wales Legislative Council Standing Committee on Law and Justice to give evidence relating to the inquiry into racial vilification law in NSW.
Secretary Stephen Blanks called for reform of the laws, stating that the bar for prosecutions has been set too high, as shown by the absence of any prosecutions.
NSWCCL believes that the sections under review have failed to legitimately criminalise serious racial vilification. Further, it is possible to reform the legislation to be more effective, whilst also maintaining the right to free speech.
Read moreSubmission: Inquiry into NSW racial vilification laws
NSWCCL has made a submission to the Legislative Council Standing Committee's inquiry into Racial vilification law in NSW.
Secretary Stephen Blanks called for reform of the laws, stating that the bar for prosecutions has been set too high, as shown by the absence of any prosecutions.
NSWCCL believes that the sections under review have failed to legitimately criminalise serious racial vilification. Further, it is possible to reform the legislation to be more effective, whilst also maintaining the right to free speech.
Read moreFree speech and the politics of hate
Over 350 people gathered in the CBD Sky Phoenix Restaurant on Friday 19 October 2012 to support the NSWCCL Annual Dinner. David Marr, delivered the keynote address on Free Speech and the Politics of Hate.
Read moreSubmission: to Wollongong City Council concerning the draft CCTV Program - Code of Practice (the draft Code)
NSWCCL has made a submission to the Wollongong City Council concerning the draft CCTV Program - Code of Practice (the draft Code)
NSWCCL expresses concerns that the draft code introduces "unjustified invasions of privacy". We commend the Council on its proposal for a proposed CCTV Camera Program Evaluation Committee for further review of the draft code.
Submission: Inquiry on the Aviation Transport Security Amendment (Screening) Bill 2012 [Provisions]
NSWCCL has made a submission to the inquiry on the Aviation Transport Security Amendment (Screening) Bill 2012 [Provisions].
CCL participated in the various consultations relating to body scanning over several years. We welcomed the significant moves that were taken to address some of the most intrusive aspects of the earlier proposals. Most significantly this included the move away from capturing raw body images to generic male and female ‘stick figure’ images and the prohibition of any storage of images or data about from the surveillance process.
Unfortunately, the proposed amendments do not deliver on all the protections for health and privacy which we understood would be Government policy.
Submission on issues paper: A Commonwealth Statutory Cause of Action for Serious Invasion of Privacy (Issues Paper) - November 2011
NSWCCL has made a Submission on issues paper: A Commonwealth Statutory Cause of Action for Serious Invasion of Privacy (Issues Paper)
The NSW Council for Civil Liberties (CCL) applauds the Government’s reactivation of the discussion on the obvious and pressing need for more effective protections for personal privacy in Australia.
The current Issues Paper is sensibly drawn from the findings of the three LRC reviews and largely directs our attention to the matters of detail that need to be resolved to allow legislation to be drafted and enacted. CCL agrees that this is the appropriate focus for what is hopefully the last round in the discussion of this important matter prior to Government action to bring forward appropriate legislation.
Submission: A Commonwealth Statutory Cause of Action for Serious Invasion of Privacy (Issues Paper)
The NSW Council for Civil Liberties (CCL) applauds the Government’s reactivation of the discussion on the obvious and pressing need for more effective protections for personal privacy in Australia. The current Issues Paper is sensibly drawn from the findings of the three LRC reviews and largely directs our attention to the matters of detail that need to be resolved to allow legislation to be drafted and enacted.
