Submission on exposure draft Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Freedom of Speech Repeal of S.18C) Bill 2014 - May 2014
The proposed amendments will dramatically narrow the definition of unlawful racist speech and the contexts in which racial vilification will be allowed are so broad as to include almost every context in which public racist abuse could occur. The Act will effectively be gutted removing vital protections against racial vilification that have worked well for 20 years.
Submission to the Senate Legal and Constitutional References Committee (the committee) on the comprehensive revision of the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979 - April 2014
CCL made an extended submission to the Senate’s review of the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act (the TIA Act). We emphasized the importance of privacy as a fundamental right, central to the maintenance of democratic societies and essential for the formation of dissent and the exercise of freedom. We argued that the 330,840 authorisations made in a single year (2012-2013) for access to data about people’s internet use and telecommunications were excessive, and that agencies should be obliged to apply for a warrant before being given such authorisation.
NSWCCL makes submission to Senate review of Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act
CCL made an extended submission to the Senate’s review of the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act (the TIA Act). We emphasized the importance of privacy as a fundamental right, central to the maintenance of democratic societies and essential for the formation of dissent and the exercise of freedom. Surveillance is a tool of tyranny.
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Supplementary Submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters Inquiry into all aspects of the conduct of the 2013 Federal Election - May 2014
There is a need to reform the electoral system to ensure that it translates cast votes into a Parliament truly reflecting the collective view of voters. The following reforms must be made:
- Introducing optional preferential voting in Senate elections both above and below the line
- Abolishing group voting tickets for Senate elections
- Reforming the party registration system.
Submission to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee of the Australian Senate, concerning the Criminal Code Amendment (Misrepresentation of Age to a Minor) Bill 2013 - February 2014
As argued previously, intending to commit a crime is not itself a crime, and should not be made a crime. If crimes have occurred, they are what a person should be charged with. If they haven't, a person should not be charged for what he or she merely has in mind as a plan. NSWCCL recommends that this Bill should be rejected.
Submission to NSW Ombudsman's review of the use of the consorting provisions by the NSW Police Force - Division 7 Part 3A of the Crimes Act 1900 - November 2013
NSWCCL has made a submission to the NSW Ombudsman's review of the use of the consorting provisions by the NSW Police Force - Division 7 Part 3A of the Crimes Act 1900 - November 2013.
The current NSW consorting laws impinge on human rights to a degree that far exceeds any benefit that may be obtained from them. The NSW Ombudsman is currently reviewing the police use of these laws, these laws should be repealed and/or radically amended.
Submission to the NSW Ombudsman's review of the use of the consorting provisions by the NSW Police Force - Division 7 Part 3A of the Crimes Act 1900 (November 2013) - February 2014
The current NSW consorting laws impinge on human rights to a degree that far exceeds any benefit that may be obtained from them. The NSW Ombudsman is currently reviewing the police use of these laws, these laws should be repealed and/or radically amended.
Submission to the Senate Inquiry on the Criminal Code Amendment (Misrepresentation of Age to a Minor) Bill 2013 - February 2014
NSWCCL has made as submission to the Senate Inquiry on the Criminal Code Amendment (Misrepresentation of Age to a Minor) Bill 2013.
We make the same comments on proposed section 474.40(2) as we did on the corresponding section in the previous version of the Bill. As argued previously, intending to commit a crime is not itself a crime, and should not be made a crime. If crimes have occurred, they are what a person should be charged with. If they haven't, a person should not be charged for what he or she merely has in mind as a plan.
NSWCCL recommends that this Bill should be rejected.
Submission to the Senate Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee Inquiry into the Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Above the Line Voting) Bill 2013 - December 2013
Reform is clearly imperative and the Committee has responded with a strong and sensible set of recommendations. Most importantly, it recommends a move to optional preferential above the line voting, partial optional preferential voting below the line and the abolition of group and individual voting tickets. Together these two reforms will remove the major distorting factors by making it easier for voters to cast a vote that reflects their preferences.
Submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters on the Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Above the Line Voting) Bill 2013 - December 2013
NSWCCL has called for major reform of the Senate electoral system to ensure Senators are only elected if they have enough voter support and not due to inter-party preference deals.
We made a submission to a parliamentary inquiry calling for the introduction of optional preferential voting in Senate elections and abolishing inter-party preference deals. This would mean that voters could vote for as many or few Senate parties and candidates as they wished and their preferences would be counted exactly as the voter indicated on the ballot instead of following an inter-party preference deal.
