Joint letter to Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus urging freedom of information reform
Dear Attorney-General,
Freedom of information reform is long overdue.
We write to urge the Government to act on the recommendations made in the recent report of the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee’s inquiry into the operation of the Commonwealth Freedom of Information (‘FOI’) laws.
As you will be aware, the Committee unanimously acknowledged the need for urgent reform to the FOI system. The Committee’s report describes a highly dysfunctional, under-resourced FOI regime, citing multi-year delays, excessive use of exemptions, problematic interpretations of FOI laws, prohibitive expenses, and cultural issues within the Australian Public Service (‘APS’) and at the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (‘OAIC’).
While in opposition, Labor rightly decried a culture of secrecy and impunity that thrived under the Morrison Government. Now in government, your department has taken positive steps toward remedying this, including establishing the National Anti-Corruption Commission and introducing legislation to establish the new Administrative Review Tribunal.
While we welcome these reforms, we note that the Albanese Government has continued to under-resource and under-prioritise the reform of FOI— a core transparency function, vital for restoring integrity and public trust in government.
The recommendations contained in the Senate Committee’s report represent a comprehensive, actionable blueprint for reform, and an opportunity for the Albanese Government to demonstrate its election commitment to open government and a strong democracy.
Read moreCityHub: New LGBTQ+ legislation is welcome, but not enough, says Dr Amanda Cohn
The long-awaited legislation to ban LGBTQ+ conversion practices was finally tabled by the Attorney General on Wednesday.
Dr. Amanda Cohn, spokesperson for NSW Greens spokesperson for LGBTQIA+ affairs described the changes as "overdue" and "welcome," yet emphasised the need for further progress. She highlighted the legislation's origins in the tireless advocacy of conversion practice survivors over the years, noting that while it now aligns NSW with standards seen in other states and territories, NSW still harbors the worst laws for LGBTQ+ individuals.
"As one example, NSW is the only jurisdiction that forces people to have invasive and medically unnecessary genital surgery to change their gender on official documents,” she said.
Read moreOpen letter: Refugees still languishing on PNG - we need answers
We understand that there are approximately 64 refugees remaining in Papua New Guinea, people we put there and have seemingly forgotten.
We believe that to say that Australia has fully complied with the mutually agreed arrangement to support PNG’s independent management of people remaining in PNG is meaningless if it is not backed up with actual information about the welfare of this group.
Australia has an obligation to the people who remain in PNG. To believe otherwise would be dishonest and a failure of leadership, after all, we sent them there in the first place.
Read moreOpen Letter: Seeking clarification on the absurd decision to cancel Palestinian refugee visas
We think the Department of Home Affairs conduct towards the refugees from Palestine who have had their visas cancelled is outrageous. Not only does conduct like this undermine public confidence in the Department, the Government and the entire immigration process, it further punishes a group of traumatised people how have been through the most horrendous imaginable ordeal. We wrote to the Minister to ask why?
Read moreMedia Statement - NSW laws should not harm children
NSW Council for Civil Liberties is horrified about the announcement by the Minns Government to tighten NSW bail laws for children.
Tightening bail laws to keep children locked up hasn’t worked in a single place it’s been tried. Prisons are no place for children and young people, this is a step backwards for criminal justice in NSW not a step forwards.
Read moreSydney Criminal Lawyers: Mardi Gras May Have Passed, But NSW Police Remains a Rogue Force
The Mardi Gras Board recently requested members of the NSW Police Force to refrain from participating in the 2024 parade, to allow for a period for collective mourning after the tragic shooting of two gay men allegedly by Senior Constable Beau Lamarre-Condon.
Despite this, pressure from the NSW Premier Chris Minns and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese resulted in a compromise where LGBTIQA+ officers participated in the parade wearing plainclothes. On the night of the parade, their section was additionally accompanied by armed riot squad officers.
This compromise sparked debate and scrutiny, underscoring broader issues within the NSW Police Force that extend beyond the recent tragedy.
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Guardian: Calls for independent review of police weapons after alleged murders of Sydney couple
Sen Const Beau Lamarre allegedly used a force-issued firearm to murder Jesse Baird, 26, and Baird’s partner, Luke Davies, 29, in Paddington on the 19th February. On February 16th Lamarre retrieved the firearm from Miranda police station for a protest policing assignment, according to police statements.
This will be the subject of an internal NSW police review with oversight from the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (Lecc) and the Victoria police.
Civil liberties advocates are calling for the review of firearm regulation within the NSW police to be independent to ensure transparency, accountability, and impartiality in the investigation process.
Read moreStarObserver: Activists angered by Mardi Gras board’s backflip decision
The recent charges laid on Senior Constable Beau Lamarre for the murders of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies had previously prompted the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras board to request the NSW Police to not march in the parade.
Last Wednesday this decision was altered, allowing police to march out of uniform in Mardi Gras
This change has angered activists who feel it is a betrayal to the community and who claim the decision was made because of pressure from the police.
Pride in Protest have said they are “horrified and outraged” at the board’s new decision, "Whether in uniform or not, police participation in the Mardi Gras parade is unacceptable".
The Greens similarly called for the police force to exclude itself “as a sign of respect, deference, and commitment to change.”
Liz Atkins, Greens Councillor has said the decision to backflip was “really disappointing” and has outlined “NSW Police are still marching as an institution, even if they’re not in uniform, LGBTQI cops are part of the community like the rest of us. But take part with their community, not as part of the institution of NSW Police.”
Read moreHoni Soit: Queer and civil rights groups hold a conference after NSW Police’s disinvitation from Mardi Gras
The recent disinvitation of the NSW Police from the Mardi Gras parade following the murder of Luke Davies and Jesse Baird by a police constable has sparked significant discussion concerning accountability and justice within the NSW Police, as well as safety within the LGBTIQA+ community.
On the 27th of February, NSW Council for Civil Liberties gathered at Taylor Square with Pride in Protest, Blak Caucus, Latoya Aroha Rule, and the NSW Greens to discuss this topic. This event happened in the wake of reports that the bodies of Luke Davies and Jesse Baird were discovered near a property in Bungonia.
Charlie Murphy from Pride in Protest opened the conference, welcoming the Board's decision, stating that disinvitation is the “bare minimum in terms of addressing police oppression.”.
Read moreSubmission: Review of the Ethical Clothing Extended Responsibilities Scheme 2005 (NSW)
In New South Wales, the Ethical Clothing Trades Extended Responsibility Scheme operates as a mandatory scheme for protecting the entitlements of outworkers in the textile clothing and footwear industries (TCF). The term ‘outworkers' refer to workers who perform work outside conventional business premises and factories, and instead in their own residential premises. The problem with the scheme is that it hasn't been operational since around 2014 and in the ensuing years the functions of Scheme have been incorporated by the legislative regime created by the Fair Work Act and employment and workplace safety legislation. The devil is the detail. Our submission urges that the government ensure suitable resourcing is available for reporting and enforcement in Australia AND we do more, much more, to ensure that international supply chains are free from modern slavery.
Read moreSubmission: Access to Australian Parliament House by lobbyists
At present in Australia we rely on a public lobbyist Register and a Code of Conduct that does not cover the majority of lobbyists. Third party, or commercial lobbyists are paid professionals who are engaged by clients to make representations to influence public officials on their behalf, while in-house lobbyists are those that seek to influence public officials on behalf of their employer. Industries hire professional in-house lobbyists and former politicians for their connections, paying fees well outside the budget of non-corporate actors. This is simply NOT good enough!
Fossil fuel industry lobbyists have included former Liberal Party, National Party and ALP ministers. We know that lobbying by the fossil fuel industry to hinder effective climate action has been successful in slowing down Australia’s response to the Climate Crisis. Recent history shows us that relentless lobbying knocked out Australia’s chance to have an effective emissions trading scheme, a mining tax and price on carbon. If the halls of Parliament are saturated by industry lobbyists and not counterbalanced by community voices, politicians’ views will be skewed to favour industry.
Safeguarding our democracy from the pressures of big money and big influence will improve the functioning of government and ensure that political outcomes are in the public’s best interests. The Australian public deserve those who they have elected to serve their interests – and their interests alone.
Australians are at risk of further losing faith and trust in our civil institutions, our political institutions and our elected politicians if Governments do not embrace transparency and accountability advocated in our submission.
Read moreSubmission: Inquiry into the administration of the 2023 NSW state election & other matters
Misinformation and disinformation in political advertising is a widespread problem in Australia. We think, that NSW should have truth in political advertising laws for NSW state elections and believe that such laws would enhance the integrity and transparency of the electoral system. Misleading political advertising can cause serious societal harms including:
- the erosion of trust in democratic processes;
- the weakening of trust between and among public and private entities;
- the weakening legitimacy of the social contract between voters and elected representatives; and
- the undermining of an informed populace.
In our submission to Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters (Committee) regarding the administration of the 2023 NSW state election and other matters. We express views in respect of:
- political donations from property developers, including through shell companies and charities;
- truth in political advertising;
- the timeliness of political donation disclosures; and
- electoral participation and enfranchisement, particularly regarding imprisoned persons and people living with disability.
More information in this inquiry can be found here.
CityHub: Calls for independent review of police weapons after murder of Sydney couple
The recent tragic deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies have sparked demands for an immediate, impartial examination of the connection between law enforcement practices and the use of weapons.
The alleged murdered Senior Constable Beau Lamarre-Condon, who has been accused of the crime and was affiliated with the youth command, reportedly used a police firearm to shoot victims.
Additionally, further concerns have been raised around firearm regulation within the NSW police as Lamarre-Condon allegedly checked out a gun for a period of 3 days whilst on recurrent leave and sick-leave.
Read moreSydney Criminal Lawyers: NSW Police Out of Mardi Gras Has Been a Long-Time Coming, as March Requests Cops Not Attend
Recently the NSW Police Force were disinvited of the from this year’s Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.
This comes after NSW police senior constable Beau Lamarre-Condon allegedly shot 26 year old Jesse Baird and 29 year old Luke Davies on the 19th of February. The incident involving Senior Constable Beau Lamarre-Condon, underscores longstanding concerns regarding police violence. Additionally, Lamarre-Condon's history, including a prior incident of excessive force, raises serious questions about the culture within the NSW Police Force.
This incident, coupled with ongoing concerns about institutional prejudice, prompted the Mardi Gras Board to act.
The recent tragedy also sheds light on the broader issue of intimate partner violence, affecting both the queer community and society at large. The tragic deaths serve as a reminder of the crisis of violence, particularly within marginalized communities.
Ultimately, the Mardi Gras Board's decision reflects the community's demand for accountability and justice in the face of tragedy. It marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing struggle for inclusivity and safety within the LGBTIQA+ community.
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Community Vigil: Jesse Baird and Luke Davies, Friday, March 1 @ 6.30pm
Jesse Baird and Luke Davies had their lives taken far too soon in the most tragic of circumstances. With the permission of Jesse and Luke’s families, our community is invited to come together and honour their memories. To the family and friends of Jesse and Luke, we are so sorry – our hearts are with you.
Condolence books will be available onsite.
Where: Green Park, Darlinghurst
When: Friday, March at 6.30PM
Read moreLetter: NSW Policing and the queer community
The Hon. Michael Daley
Attorney General
The Hon. Yasmin Catley
Minister for Police
Commissioner Karen Webb APM
All via webform
Dear Ministers and Commissioner,
RE: NSW Policing and the queer community
We write on behalf of the NSW Council for Civil Liberties (NSWCCL) to express concern about the alleged murder of a gay couple by a serving NSW Police Officer. This tragic case ought to cause you to pause and consider if the settings around policing in NSW are appropriately calibrated, especially in relation to the queer community. In our view, they are not and your urgent attention is required.
Read moreMedia Statement: Let's talk about police reform and weapons
On 26 February NSWCCL wrote to the Attorney General, Minister for Police and Police Commissioner to register our concern about systemic policing issues which are brought into focus again by the alleged murder of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies.
Our letter is attached and calls for three things: the disarming of general duties Police Officers; an independent inquiry into police use of force and weapons; and, an end to the practice of police investigating police for misconduct and excessive use of force.
Read moreCityHub: Three overdose on tablets sold as MDMA but were actually potent opioid
Recently three people in Sydney were hospitalised after taking pills that they believed to be MDMA but actually contained a powerful opioid, nitazene. Individuals taking as little as half a tablet were hospitalised.
In response to these hospitalizations, NSW Health issued an urgent warning about the tablets, describing them as orange or red, rectangular in shape, featuring a red bull logo and text.
This incident has reignited calls for drug testing.
Read moreCityHub: Remembering TJ Hickey amidst government failures in closing the gap
The twentieth anniversary of the passing of TJ Hickey, a young Indigenous individual, serves as yet another stark reminder of the numerous First Nations individuals who have lost their lives due to encounters with law enforcement or correctional systems.
This anniversary coincides with the release of an update on the Closing the Gap report by the Federal Government, marking the sixteenth anniversary of the National Apology to Indigenous People. This report has shown that progress on some target have gone backwards.
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