The Use of Drones in Australia: An Agenda for Reform

Liberty Victoria and the unmanned systems industry are seeking answers to such questions as: is it legal for a neighbour to fly a drone over your backyard? Can you stop someone filming you from above at the beach?  

To mark the Privacy Awareness Week 2015, Liberty Victoria and the Australian Association for Unmanned Systems (AAUS) have detailed plans for reform in order to resolve these questions and tackle growing concern about the right to privacy at a time of increased private drone use.  

Tags: 
drones
Privacy
Privacy and private life
Right to privacy and freedom from surveillance
surveillance

Inquiry into the Criminal Code Amendment (Animal Protection) Bill 2015

This bill seeks to prevent unnecessary delays in the reporting of animal cruelty and what are described as ‘illegal interferences in the lawful operation of animal enterprises.’

Whilst Liberty Victoria is broadly supportive of measures aimed at protecting animals against acts of malicious cruelty, we consider that the Bill is deeply flawed and misguided.  Some of the major objections to the Bill include:

Tags: 
ag-gag
animal rights

Review to permit adoption by same-sex couples under Victorian law

The Review:

The Victorian Government commissioned a review to consider the legislative amendments required to permit adoption of children by same-sex couples under Victorian law.  The review is being conducted by Eamonn Moran PSM QC, former Chief Parliamentary Counsel and a current Commissioner of the Victorian Law Reform Commission. The scope of the review is limited to determining the technical legislative changes required to permit adoption by same-sex couples. The review seeks to establish the best ways to legislate for adoption equality – not whether it should occur or not.

Inquiry into the Copyright Amendment (Online Infringement) Bill 2015

Liberty Victoria has had an opportunity to consider the recommendations of the Law Institute of Victoria and we fully endorse them. 

Liberty Victoria would have preferred the opportunity to provide more detailed submissions but the time frame allowed for their provision was impossibly short. We would hope that in future further time is allowed to make submissions on such important issues. We would appreciate the opportunity to give testimony when the Committee has hearings on this matter.

 

Independent National Security Legislation Monitor - Inquiry into section 35P of the ASIO Act

Liberty Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australian and Australian Councils for Civil Liberties made a joint submission to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security on the Independent National Security Legislation Monitor (INSLM).

The inquiry sought public submissions on the potential impact on journalists by reason of the operation of section 35P of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979 concerning offences for the disclosure of information relating to a ‘special intelligence operation’.

 

Citizenship-stripping plan plays into the hands of extremists, says Liberty Victoria

Submitted by admin on Wed, 27/05/2015 - 16:39

Liberty Victoria press release 27 May 2015

The Federal Government is falling into a trap by harshly removing people's rights in the guise of fighting terrorism, Liberty Victoria said today.

"Giving a Minister the power to strip those with dual citizenship of their Australian citizenship if they are suspected of terrorism, with a meagre chance of review plays right into the hands of extremists," said Liberty President George Georgiou SC. "The political use of this power will inflame and incense those Australians who already feel demonised and demeaned."

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