President's Report 2014
Our members will appreciate that Liberty is battling for the preservation of our democratic rights during a period of significant political challenge.
The 24 hour news cycle means that state and federal politicians from the major parties tend to respond in a knee jerk manner to media grabbing issues. There is little political will to take a long term and measured view when news organisations clamour for immediate action in response to some perceived public threat. An example of this approach can be seen when a highly publicised criminal is due for release from prison and moves are made to change the law from the framework under which that person was originally sentenced. These events which challenge the rule of law are the result of assessments about what will buy votes and how to manage public opinion which is often largely driven by short sound grabs.
Liberty, in defence of rule of law, sometimes finds itself by default appearing to defend unpopular causes. Liberty is frequently called upon to act in the role of the contradictor in public debate. Sometimes we accept the call, but we will not routinely assume the contradictory mantle. We need to choose our battles carefully and thoughtfully. We do not wish to be perceived as having a predictable position or allegiance or as being just another shrill voice of dissent. We practise internal consultation and try to ensure availability for media and comment on matters of public importance.
We have made it our key objective to assess the greatest threats to civil liberties from whatever their source and develop a measured response through multiple platforms. We undertake consciousness raising through media or events, submissions or evidence to Senate or Parliamentary committees, collaboration with our sister organisations and constant monitoring of the erosion of our rights and freedoms. We manage this despite the pressures created by legislation being rushed through Parliament with artificially short deadlines for consultation or no consultation process at all. Recently we have noted amendments buried in differently titled legislation, making the task of identifying what is before parliament extremely onerous. We also seek to alert the community, media and Law reformers to matters that may need to be addressed by legislative change, commissions of inquiry or greater public debate and consultation.
Recently we have liaised with Global Reconciliation Inc. to seek fair consideration for those who have been marginalised in the latest wave of global security anxiety (a climate of fear similar to the post 9/11 climate.)
Liberty submissions and commentary are respected and heeded because we are perceived as rational, moderate, and accurate in our careful critiquing of the civil and political processes which govern our affairs. People across the political spectrum view Liberty submissions as worthy of attention.
We are justly proud of our reputation and will offer views that are not simply towing a party political line (our submissions about the Racial Discrimination Act reform exemplify our nuanced approach to hot button issues). We compliment Government or Public Sector organisations when deserved, and criticise or advocate for change when necessary.
With the National Security legislation being pursued federally in large and cumbersome tranches of legislation we have collaborated effectively with other states and showed that we understand the importance of national security and the risk of terrorism whilst seeking to ensure prominence to rule of law, due process and proper review of counter terrorism powers. We await the appointment of a replacement Independent National Security Monitor with interest.
We pose the questions; are these laws necessary? What are other countries doing? Are we going too far? What is a proportionate long term response?
In the Criminal Justice Sector we raise concern that more support is needed to encourage offenders towards reform and rehabilitation rather than simply increasing prison beds.
We attend speaking engagements and use every available opportunity to educate the public about the deeper impacts of interventions in our civil rights.
It can be seen from the following pages of our innovative Annual General Meeting (AGM) bulletin that Liberty has a broad canvass covering a wide range of policy objectives. We advocate widely on issues as diverse as reproductive rights, the right to die, spent convictions and the right to be forgotten, police accountability and anti-corruption, drones and surveillance, privacy and digital privacy, accountability for institutional abuse, innocence projects, defence against torture or capital punishment, Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender and Intersexed (LGBTI) equality, the right to a secular education, defence of asylum seekers, rule of law, freedom of speech and freedom to protest, freedom of religion, Charter protection and Human rights protection, Aboriginal advancement and Constitutional recognition.
Through our Management and Policy committees and through the auspices of YLLR we bring together a wonderful and diverse mix of lawyers and non lawyers in pursuit of these goals. The connection is forged through passionate commitment to ensuring that Liberty's voice is not only heard, but actively listened to above the clamour of many.
Jane Dixon QC
President 2012-2014