Liberty Victoria continues to oppose the of the Australian Citizenship Amendment (Allegiance to Australia) Bill 2015, in light of their subsequent operation. While limited public information is available about the application of the provisions, we understand that a number of individuals have had citizenship stripped under section 35 of the Australian Citizenship Act 2007 (Cth) (Citizenship Act).
We express particular concern over the establishment and operation of the Citizenship Loss Board, which represents a threat to the rule of law and basic civil liberties.
Submitted by Liberty Victoria on Tue, 11/06/2019 - 12:38
Liberty Victoria are seeking volunteers to assist in running our annual Voltaire Awards on Saturday 27 July, which celebrate individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to free speech and advocating for human rights.
We would love to have your support at this event. You can download position descriptions for each of the volunteer roles by clicking on the links below.
Submitted by Liberty Victoria on Tue, 14/05/2019 - 14:25
Liberty Victoria honours Nasrin Sotoudeh with the Voltaire 'Empty Chair' Award 2019
Nasrin is an Iranian lawyer and human rights defender, renowned for her work representing abused women and children, dissidents, journalists, and people sentenced to death for offences committed as children. Her courageous advocacy has brought her into contact with Iranian authorities on numerous occasions, and she has been harshly punished for her work as a human rights defender.
Submitted by Liberty Victoria on Thu, 09/05/2019 - 14:32
Liberty Victoria honours the Ngaga-Dji project ( Hear me!), a collaborative project of the Koorie Youth Council led by Anna Cerreto and Indi Clarke, with the Young Voltaire Award.
The Young Voltaire Award honours a person or group no older than 30 at the date of their nomination for an outstanding contribution to or action on free speech, human rights or civil liberties, with particular emphasis on progressing freedom, respect, equality and dignity. It celebrates those who speak out, write, campaign, whistle-blow, take action or stand against authoritarianism.
Submitted by Liberty Victoria on Thu, 02/05/2019 - 14:14
This year Liberty Victoria honours Debbie Kilroy, the founder of Sisters Inside, with the Voltaire Human Rights Award.
The Voltaire Award honours a person or group for an outstanding contribution to or action on free speech, human rights or civil liberties, with particular emphasis on progressing freedom, respect, equality and dignity. It celebrates those who speak out, write, campaign, whistle-blow, take action or stand against authoritarianism. Previous winners include Magda Szubanski, Gillian Triggs, Waleed Aly, David Marr, Peter Greste, Baher Mohamed and Mohamed Fahmy.
Submitted by Liberty Victoria on Tue, 26/02/2019 - 10:38
Liberty Victoria believes fervently in the importance of impartial, independent legal advice and representation.
Liberty Victoria is an organisation made up predominately (though not solely) of legal practitioners. We believe that public confidence in the legal profession is integral to the proper administration of justice.
As the integrity of the legal profession in Victoria is under enormous scrutiny, we reiterate our individual and collective commitment to independent, ethical professional conduct and to the duties we each assumed upon admission to the legal profession.
If enacted the Justice Legislation Amendment (Police and Other Matters) Bill 2019 (“the Bill”) would, amongst other things:
a. Create new powers in the Crimes Act 1958 (“the Crimes Act”) for police to take a DNA sample from certain suspects and offenders without a court order, including in some cases children; and
b. Introduce new criminal offences and sanctions in the Crimes Act, Sentencing Act 1991 and Bail Act 1977 for acts that harm or threaten harm to police officers, protective services officers (“PSOs”) and police custody officers (“PCOs”).
Submitted by Liberty Victoria on Thu, 07/02/2019 - 09:15
The proposed spent convictions bill introduced by Reason Party leader Fiona Patten MP would transform the lives of many Victorians. If passed, the proposed scheme would bring Victoria in line with every other Australian state and territory, including Queensland, which has had a legislated scheme since 1986.
Ms Patten today introduced a bill into the Legislative Council that would automatically remove the convictions for minor offences if people have not reoffended for a period of time.
The proposed scheme will introduce the following changes:
