Liberty Victoria previously made a submission to the Inquiry into the Conditions and Treatment of Asylum Seekers and Refugees at the Regional Processing Centres in the Republic of Nauru and Papua New Guinea (former Inquiry). This submission into the serious allegations of abuse, self-harm and neglect of asylum seekers in relation to the Nauru Regional Processing Centre and Manus Regional Processing Centre updates the Committee on Liberty Victoria’s position regarding the healthcare provided to asylum seekers in Regional Processing Centres (RPCs).

This Bill seeks to amend the Working with Children Act 2005 (Vic) (“the Act”). We recognise that the amendments in this Bill arise in part out of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, and that the protection of children is paramount in consideration of the implementation of this Bill. However, it is our view that the Bill goes beyond the limits of what is reasonable and practicable in balancing the interests of children with the rights of people to be involved in the lives of children.

Liberty Victoria strongly opposes the Sentencing (Community Correction Order) and Other Acts Amendment Bill 2016 (Vic) (‘The Bill’). It is an unnecessary reform to the Community Correction Order (‘CCO’) regime that further entrenches mandatory sentencing in Victoria.

Liberty Victoria is very concerned about the Victorian Government’s announcement on proposed reforms to the Community Correction Order (‘CCO’) regime. The reforms should be strongly opposed.

The announcement reflects a fundamental misconception that by sentencing more persons to imprisonment Victorians will be made safer.