In an era in which social media revolution has created an avalanche of disinformation and conflicts polarise communities across the world, the role of independent journalism has never been more critical to the protection of human rights and civil liberties. The role of journalists can be dangerous and come at a high personal price, particularly when reporting from conflict zones. The extreme price that journalists can pay for their commitment to their ideals has been brought into tragic focus in Palestine where, at the time of writing, over 120 journalists are reported to have been killed
Liberty Victoria is grateful for the opportunity to make this submission in relation to the inquiry into the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Vic).
Freedom of information (FOI) is a fundamental human right in itself, and a touchstone for all other rights and freedoms exercised by individuals within a functioning democratic society.
To ensure the full enjoyment of this right, there must be “free communication of information and ideas about public and political issues between citizens, candidates and elected representatives”.
In relation to the Criminal Organisations Control Amendment Bill 2024 (Vic) (the Bill), Liberty Victoria opposes the Bill in its current form. We are deeply concerned that this Bill will result in the increasing normalisation of potentially draconian orders being made in circumstances where a person has not been convicted (or even charged) for a criminal offence.
Submitted by Gemma Cafarella on Thu, 12/09/2024 - 15:24
The freedom to protest is fundamental to democracy. Protesters have the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly under the Victorian Charter of Human Rights, and are protected by the implied freedom of political communication under our Constitution.
Liberty Victoria calls on the State Government and Victoria Police to ensure that Victorians are able to protest freely.
We have seen shocking scenes of militarised police clashing with protesters in central Melbourne. Liberty Victoria denounces any and all violence used at the protest.
This year's winner of the Sophie Trevitt Human Rights Award is Samara Fernandez-Brown, a Warlpiri woman from Yuendumu who has represented her family in their long running battle for justice and reform after her cousin, Kumanjayi Walker, was shot and killed by police in the Northern Territory in 2019. Samara became a leader of the Justice For Walker campaign throughout the criminal trial and coronial inquest.
The late Peta Murphy was a Committee Member of Liberty Victoria for years where she advocated for human rights. She continued that work in Parliament, including her advocacy for gambling reform and highlighting the harmful effects of gambling advertising.
Gambling can be addictive. When it is, it tears up families, causes financial hardship, mental health issues and sometimes those addicted to gambling end up committing offences to feed their habit.
Liberty Victoria is disappointed by reports that the Federal Government has abandoned plans to introduce religious discrimination laws into Parliament. It is reported that as part of the abandoned plans, promises to protect LGBTIQA+ teachers and students have also been shelved.
If the Albanese Government reneges on its promise, religious organisations will retain the right to discriminate against LGBTQIA+ people under federal law.
It is a fundamental principle of the rule of law that no one is above the law. The law must apply equally to all of us, including those given power over citizens to act on behalf of the State.
Liberty Victoria is deeply concerned that the Allan Government intends to make those involved in the Lawyer X scandal immune from civil and criminal proceedings.
On 17 June 2024, we had the honour of giving evidence for the Inquiry into Right Wing Extremist Movements in Australia to the Commonwealth Senate’s Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee (the Committee).
When giving evidence we took three questions on notice:
(1) Responding to the submission by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) on the topic of encrypted messaging services;
(2) The extent of limits that may be placed on speech to prevent and deter hate speech and violent extremism; and
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 07/08/2024 - 17:26
Liberty Victoria is deeply concerned by recent reports in The Guardian of a 15-year-old child being charged with murder and remanded in custody for almost a year on the basis of fundamentally flawed evidence in circumstances where police had failed to disclose relevant and exculpatory evidence. The case highlights ongoing issues of Victoria Police failing to properly abide by its duty of disclosure. Disclosure is of fundamental importance in every case, however it is gravely worrying that Victoria Police failed to abide by their obligations in circumstances where a child was being held in custody as a result of, in Justice Hollingworth’s words, a “corrupted process”.
