The New South Wales Council for Civil Liberties (NSWCCL) wholeheartedly supports the establishment of a Truth and Justice Commission to address injustices suffered by First Nations Peoples in Australia. The proposed Bill, currently before a Parliamentary Inquiry, represents a crucial step towards implementing the Uluru Statement from the Heart—a document NSWCCL endorses in full.

The Truth and Justice Commission, as outlined in the Bill, will have investigative powers to examine historic and ongoing injustices experienced by First Nations Peoples. Its primary aim is to provide recommendations to Parliament based on truth-telling about Australia's colonial history, paving the way for national reconciliation.  

Refugee children who have successfully completed their Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and those who are currently preparing to sit their exams are facing insurmountable barriers in accessing higher education. These students, many of whom have no memory of living anywhere other than Australia, are being denied the opportunity to attend university on equal terms with their peers. Instead, those allowed to enrol are often categorised as foreign students, subject to exorbitant fees and additional restrictions.

This heartbreaking situation stems from the fact that these young people, despite calling Australia home for much of their lives, continue to live without permanent visas. For over 12 years—some even longer—they have been trapped in a bureaucratic limbo that strips them of basic liberties and opportunities.

Families impacted by the injustices of the devastating ‘fast track’ process or as part of the so-called ‘legacy caseload’ have children who simply want to attend university just like their peers. This temporary status affects every part of their lives, including their ability to get work or study, their access to services, and their ability to recover from their trauma.

The right to adequate housing as a fundamental human right is recognised under Australia’s international human rights obligations. All Australians should have access to adequate housing in fulfilment of their human rights. The human right to housing is also pivotal in ensuring the realisation of many other human rights.

NSWCCL supports the aims of the Bill which enshrines a human rights-based approach to housing in legislation. In Australia, the lack of a meaningful and well-informed national housing plan has undoubtedly contributed to the current housing crisis, placing millions of people under significant social and economic pressure. Home ownership affordability, an increasingly competitive rental market and stagnant public housing availability and poor housing accessibility for people living with disability are all by-products of this crisis.

The age a child can be arrested, charged and jailed in Australia is back in the spotlight.

Last year, the Northern Territory became the first jurisdiction to raise the age of criminal responsibility from ten to 12. Now its new, tough-on-crime government has pledged to return it to ten. It comes after Victoria walked back its earlier commitment to raise the age to 14, settling instead on 12.

But the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child says 14 should be the absolute minimum. It raised this age from its earlier recommendation (in 2007) of 12, citing a decade of new research into child and adolescent development.

So what does the science say? What happens to the brain between ten and 14? And how much can those under 14 understand the consequences of their actions?

Read the article here. Authors Susan M. Sawyer & Nandi Vijayakumar.

NSWCCL is seeking a passionate and self motivated Executive Officer to provide operational leadership and enhance our advocacy capabilities. The Executive Officer plays a crucial role in mobilising our members, leading campaigns, and ensuring the effective day-to-day operations of the organisation.

Guided by a management committee and supported by volunteers, the role is responsible for developing and implementing communication strategies, including engaging with and managing the media, organising and managing events and fundraising appeals to grow our membership and support from the wider community.

I am humbled to accept the inaugural NSW Council for Civil Liberties President's Award.

It’s an honour to be acknowledged for my battle to uphold journalism without fear or favour, it’s been a very difficult year given the bullying and silencing of journalists in Australia.

I dedicate this award to the journalists who have been murdered doing their jobs. Journalism is not a crime. Systematically killing journalists is.

Gaza is the deadliest place to be a journalist. The past 10 months have been the deadliest period to be a journalist. This award is for the Palestinian journalists who no longer have breath, let alone a voice.

Some might argue that calling for corporations to face the same scrutiny as the CFMEU is mere “whataboutism,” defending alleged union corruption. This topic arises follows claims of corruption and intimidation, as reported by Nine journalists. The union has been placed under administration for three years, and many officials have been dismissed due to legislation passed with Coalition support, though legal challenges may follow.

Some argue that this situation highlights a double standard. For example, why didn't the government threaten similar action against PwC when it was revealed that they leaked confidential tax information for profit?

RMIT Professor Anthony Forsyth acknowledges this double standard in the treatment of corporations versus unions but insists that the legislation was necessary due to the CFMEU's likely resistance to a court-appointed administrator. Meanwhile, Lydia Shelly from the NSW Council for Civil Liberties criticises the inconsistency in addressing corporate wrongdoing. 

The NSW Council for Civil Liberties has serious concerns with the Federal Government’s Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment (Administration) Bill 2024 and the Government’s accompanying amendments. While any allegation of criminality is serious and must be addressed, the powers set out in this bill are far-reaching and establish a dangerous precedent for the trade union movement, membership-based organisations, and the rights of individuals to natural justice and procedural fairness.

The growing list of Alcohol Free Zones (AFZs) in Sydney has been a creeping imposition on the freedom of the community to use public space without any evidence that it achieves other positive public policy objectives.

Most parks around the CBD, Kings Cross and Redfern have been designated AFZs, as well as Martin Place, sections of The Rocks and Circular Quay. AFZs cover much of Darlinghurst, Surry Hills, Redfern, Waterloo, parts of Glebe and Newtown, main city roads, and roads around the casino. The City of Sydney has an extensive and effective Street Safety Camera program in which most public places are already monitored.

The NSW Council of Civil Liberties and Scarlet Alliance, Australian Sex Workers Association submits that the Criminal Code Amendment (Deepfake Sexual Material) Bill 2024 fails to enhance the civil rights of the Australian public. Generative AI is an increasingly fast moving and adaptive technology. Any response to address the harm that can be caused through the abuse of this technology must be built on a holistic government approach, and not simply through increased criminal measures. Even where new criminal measures are enacted these must add to, and not cut across or confuse, the existing protection and legislative frameworks which already exist at federal, state and territory levels.