Inquiry Into The Use of Cannabis in Victoria

In our view 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 have a controlled legalisation of cannabis possession, use, and limited cultivation as has recently occurred in the ACT. This should be in combination with a responsible health and education-based response, as opposed to the current pathway into the criminal justice system.

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Liberty Victoria deeply concerned about expanded use of Protective Services Officers in Victoria

Submitted by Liberty Victoria on Sun, 07/06/2020 - 00:00

Liberty Victoria deeply concerned about expanded use of Protective Services Officers in Victoria

 

Liberty Victoria is deeply concerned about the Government's desire to vastly widen the use of Protective Services Officers (PSO's) in areas around the state. PSO's were introduced to provide a visible presence of policing on the public transport network and associated areas. They are not members of Victoria Police. They have a limited role and receive far less training than members of Victoria Police. 

 

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PSO
Human Rights
covid-19

LIBERTY VICTORIA VOLTAIRE HUMAN RIGHTS AWARDS 2019 - CALL FOR NOMINATIONS BY 3 MARCH 2019

Liberty Victoria Voltaire Awards,

The Liberty Victoria Voltaire Human Rights Dinner is an important event in the human rights calendar in Australia.

Voltaire Award Dinner 2015

Peter Greste receives on behalf of his colleagues Baher Mohamed and Mohamed Fahmy Liberty Victoria's Voltaire Award 2015

On the 12th of September, at our annual fundraising dinner at the San Remo Ballroom, the Liberty Victoria 2015 Voltaire Award was made to the "three brothers", Al Jazeera journalists Peter Greste,

Joint letter from the Presidents of NSW Council for Civil Liberties and Liberty Victoria relating to the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza

Dear Prime Minister,

We write as Presidents of Australia’s leading, membership based human rights and civil society organisations, about the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. We are non-political, non-religious and non-sectarian.

Since October 7, 2023, Australians have witnessed over 12,520 people die in the ongoing conflict in Palestine (including the Israeli civilians), with approximately 11,320 of these deaths caused by Israel’s military operation in Gaza. Alarmingly, an estimated 40% of these deaths have been children.

Liberty Victoria supports the right to protest

Submitted by Liberty Victoria on Thu, 16/11/2023 - 10:31

Liberty Victoria understands that there are moves by the Opposition to introduce anti-protest laws to the Victorian Parliament. The proposed law would give police the power to break up protests and ban some protesters from rally sites.

The right to protest is a fundamental component of a robust democracy, and Liberty Victoria categorically opposes the introduction of any new anti-protest laws in Victoria. 

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Freedom to protest
protests

2023 Voltaire Empty Chair Award Winner

Submitted by Liberty Victoria on Wed, 08/11/2023 - 11:33

Liberty Victoria is awarding the 2023 Voltaire Empty Chair Award to Mr Victor Yeimo, a strong advocate for West Papua’s independence from Indonesia and an international spokesperson for the National Committee for West Papua (KNPB) and the Papuan People’s Petition.

Established in 2016, the Voltaire Empty Chair Award is presented to a person who is worthy to receive the Voltaire or Young Voltaire Award but cannot be present to receive the award due to the consequences of their exercise of or advocacy for human rights, free speech or civil liberties.

Voltaire Human Rights Awards Dinner

Submitted by admin on Wed, 01/11/2023 - 15:53

We’re pleased to announce that Nick McKenzie, award-winning investigative journalist and author of “Crossing the Line:

The explosive inside story behind the Ben Roberts-Smith headlines” will be speaking at the Voltaire Human Rights Awards Dinner on 10 November 2023 at the Sofitel Melbourne. 

Tickets have been selling fast, you can book here:

Liberty Victoria Members Week

Submitted by Liberty Victoria on Mon, 30/10/2023 - 11:14

Dear Members and Supporters of Liberty Victoria,

I’m pleased to say that this year we’re launching “Members Week”. Keep an eye out for quotes from current and former members of Liberty Victoria on the value of membership, including the below from Sister Brigid Arthur AO.

Strengthening Victoria's Anti-Vilification Laws

This submission concerns the problem of harms caused by vilification and proposes ways to prevent or deal with those harms and those who cause them. It begins with the 2019–20 parliamentary inquiry—the Legislative Assembly Legal and Social Issues Committee’s Inquiry into Anti-Vilification Protections—and its report on that Inquiry tabled in March 2021 (the “Committee Report” or just “Report” for short).

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