The Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024

There needs to be a more considered approach. Liberty Victoria advocates for more targeted interventions that aim to minimise harms while preserving social media’s benefits for children under the age of 16. A blanket ban will be ineffective and indeed will make matters worse – and expose children to more harm – as the use of social media by children is pushed underground.

Comment on Bills Targeting Refugees and People Seeking Asylum

Submitted by admin on Tue, 26/11/2024 - 16:51

This week the Federal Labor Government is trying to push through unprecedented and unprincipled laws without due process and scrutiny. These abhorrent laws target people solely on their visa status and will devastate individuals, families and communities across generations. If passed they will cause irreversible harm.

If enacted, the Government will be allowed to:

Liberty Victoria Warns Against Introducing Protest Permits

Submitted by admin on Mon, 09/12/2024 - 16:09

Liberty Victoria condemns the recent attack on the Addis Israel synagogue. Attacks based in antisemitism - or any kind of religious hatred or racism - are unacceptable. We acknowledge the fear felt by members of the Jewish community in the wake of this attack.

Liberty Victoria is concerned, though, to see the Premier and others cite the attacks as a justification for further limits on the right to protest in Victoria.

There is no evidence, nor even any credible suggestion, that the attack occurred as a result of any protest, either outside a place of worship or otherwise.

Inquiry into Antisemitism at Australian Universities

Liberty Victoria welcomed the opportunity to provide a submission to the Inquiry into Antisemitism at Australian Universities. We support actions of government and universities to address antisemitism on university campuses and in Australia generally, and believe the best way to protect the human rights of all people, including students at universities, would be to have robust federal human rights legislation designed to balance competing rights, which would of course include freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, freedom of religion and freedom from vilification.

Liberty Victoria response to report on antisemitism in Australian universities

Submitted by niloofar.kalantar on Fri, 14/02/2025 - 16:41

The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights has published its report on Antisemitism at Australian Universities and we are honoured for our submissions to have been quoted throughout the report.

The rise in antisemitic incidents is Australia is plainly concerning and needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency. When addressing it, we must be careful to preserve the rights of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly (together the right to protest), and to ensure Universities are places where ideas can be exchanged robustly without descending to vilification.

Submission on Use of Cannabis in Victoria

Liberty Victoria has consistently advocated for the reform of Victoria’s cannabis laws. Consistent with previous submissions, we consider that the best way to protect the health of those adults who use cannabis, to protect public health and safety, and to prevent criminal activity relating to the illegal cannabis trade in Victoria, is to decriminalise cannabis possession, use, and limited  cultivation as has occurred in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). 

An Illusion of Toughness: New proposed bail law reforms are no real response to community safety concerns

Submitted by admin on Wed, 12/03/2025 - 17:52

An Illusion of Toughness 
New proposed bail law reforms are no real response to community safety concerns 
***MEDIA RELEASE*** 

Liberty Victoria is deeply concerned about proposed changes to Victoria’s bail laws proposed by the Victorian Government under the “Tough Bail Bill” which appear to be primarily targeted at children.  

Joint Letter to Victorian Premier regarding proposed anti-protest laws

Submitted by admin on Mon, 24/03/2025 - 16:53

 

Dear Premier Allan, 

The ability for Victorians to freely assemble and participate in rallies, protests and community gatherings is a crucial democratic right. That right must not be restricted. The capacity of the community to engage in protest is foundational to a healthy democracy. 

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