Intelligence Services Amendment Enhanced parliamentary Oversight of Intelligence Agencies) Bill 2018Liberty Victoria is essentially supportive of the reforms contained in the Bill. We note that there has been a significant expansion in the powers and activities of Australia’s national security and intelligence organisations over the past two decades, without a corresponding increase in review... |
Public ,
September 3, 2018
Liberty Victoria is strongly opposed to the amendments to the Corrections Act 1986 (Vic) (the Act) made by the Corrections Amendment (Parole) Act 2018 (Vic) (the amendments). The effective imposition of imprisonment for life without parole constitutes cruel, inhuman and degrading... |
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Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee ,
August 22, 2018
In summary, the Bill introduces an important change to the way in which family law proceedings are conducted, so that there is no undue stress and trauma caused to victims of family violence. However, the Bill does not adequately ensure that legal representation will be guaranteed and in its... |
Public ,
August 21, 2018
Liberty Victoria strongly opposes the abolition of de novo appeals. These significant reforms have been introduced without evidence-based support. The last investigation in 2006 by the Law Reform Committee of the Parliament of Victoria recommended that de novo appeals should be retained. Since... |
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Joint Select Committee on Constitutional Recognition ,
June 18, 2018
Liberty Victoria fully supports constitutional recognition of Australia's First Peoples, in the form set out in the Uluru Statement from the Heart: a constitutionally enshrined, First Nations Voice to the Parliament, and a Makarrata Commission, which will supervise a process of agreement-making... |
Public ,
May 26, 2018
This Bill proposes to expand the detention and supervision order regime under the Serious Sex Offenders (Detention and Supervision) Act 2009 (Vic) to non-sexual violence offences. Under the scheme, offenders can be detained or subject to onerous supervision orders at the conclusion of their... |
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Public ,
April 24, 2018
The Guardianship and Administration Bill 2018 is a necessary reform to update and bring Victoria’s personal guardianship and administration laws into line with modern expectations and human rights. Guardianship and administration orders provide important protections for people with... |
Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security ,
March 21, 2018
Joint Councils of Civil Liberties submission on the Identity-matching Services Bill 2018 and the Australian Passports Amendment (Identity-matching Services) Bill 2018 which will authorise the Department of Home Affairs to collect, use and disclose identification information in order to operate... |
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Public ,
March 7, 2018
The portal that has been created does meet many privacy standards. The entry point stores minimal information – once the identity (ID) has been established only a token certifying that level of ID is kept on the website. The department or instrumentality being accessed is told that the ID is... |
Public ,
March 6, 2018
In principle Liberty supports the Children Legislation Amendment (Information Sharing) Bill 2017. However, Liberty Victoria’s view is that the proposed regime goes too far and needs to be amended to ensure that the range of information that can be stored is clearly defined, that children have... |
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Public ,
February 19, 2018
As previously stated in our submission to the Bail Review and commentary in respect of the Bail Amendment (Stage One) Bill 2017,... |
The Expert Panel on Religious Freedom ,
February 14, 2018
Freedom of religion is properly understood to mean the freedom for an individual to have, or not have, a religious belief, to join a religion and take part in its rites and rituals, or change religion, or leave a religion, and not to be discriminated against because of their having or not having... |
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Public ,
February 13, 2018
Last week, the Victorian Parliament passed the Firearms Amendment Bill 2017 which contained a series of significant amendments to the Firearms Act 1986. The aspect of the Bill of most concern to civil liberties and human rights is the introduction of Firearm Prohibition Orders. Did... |
Inquiry into the Electoral Legislation Amendment (Electoral Funding and Disclosure Reform) Bill 2017A submission was made to this inquiry by the councils for civil liberties across Australia (New South Wales Council for Civil Liberties, Liberty Victoria, Queensland Council for Civil Liberties, South Australia Council for Civil Liberties and the Australian Council for Civil Liberties). ... |
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Sentencing Advisory Council ,
January 22, 2018
As noted in the Sentencing Advisory Council (SAC) issues paper, the Victorian Government announced in May 2017 that it would introduce legislation in 2018 to establish a sentencing guidelines council in Victoria. In July 2017, the Attorney-General requested the SAC to advise him on the most... |
Department of Health ,
November 16, 2017
Liberty Victoria had the opportunity to consider the detailed submission by Future Wise and respectfully endorsed it and its recommendations. |
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Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security ,
October 31, 2017
This was a combined submission of the NSW Council for Civil Liberties, Liberty Victoria, Queensland Council for Civil Liberties, South Australian Council for Civil Liberties and the Australian Council for Civil Liberties. |
Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security ,
October 30, 2017
This was a combined submission of the NSW Council for Civil Liberties, Liberty Victoria, Queensland Council for Civil Liberties, South Australian Council for Civil Libertiesand the Australian Council for Civil Liberties. |
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Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee ,
October 20, 2017
The Bill amends the Migration Act 1958 (Cth) to empower the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection to ban mobile phones and other items in immigration detention centres. It also expands immigration officers’ warrantless search and seizure powers, and authorises them to use dogs... |
Public ,
October 5, 2017
The Federal Government and States have entered into an Inter-Government Agreement to set up a national database to hold driver's licence photographs and identity information. The database may be used to conduct surveillance using facial recognition technology at public places such as airports or... |
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Public ,
August 10, 2017
Liberty Victoria made a comprehensive submission in June 2017 on why the Sentencing Amendment (Sentencing Standards) Bill 2017 (Vic) is unnecessary and threatens to undermine... |
Public ,
August 10, 2017
Liberty Victoria is opposed to the Crimes Amendment (Ramming of Police Vehicles) Bill 2017 (“the Bill”). We note that the Bill has been introduced by the Coalition Opposition. There is simply no need for the Bill. It forms part of the law and order auction leading up to... |
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Australian Human Rights Commission ,
August 7, 2017
We support the Commonwealth Government’s commitment to ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT). The Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 (Vic) (the Charter) imposes... |
Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade ,
August 7, 2017
Time did not permit Liberty Victoria to address in full all aspects of the Terms of Reference for this Inquiry. Our concerns therefore centred on “3 — The relationship between the freedom of religion or belief and other human rights, and the implications of constraints on the freedom of... |
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Department of Justice and Regulation (Vic) ,
June 14, 2017
Liberty Victoria supports the Supreme Court’s objective of minimising delay in the criminal justice system, particularly in the period between charge and the listing of trial. However, Liberty’s view is that the Supreme Court’s current proposal will not be effective in reducing delays and... |
Public ,
June 5, 2017
Liberty Victoria is opposed to the proposed expansion of the powers of Protection Services Officers (PSOs) through the measures set out in the Justice Legislation Amendment (Protective Services Officers and Other Matters) Bill 2017. PSOs are sworn officers of Victoria Police who have... |
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Public ,
June 5, 2017
Updated comment - 9 August 2017: Liberty Victoria made a comprehensive submission in June 2017 (see below) on why the Sentencing Amendment (Sentencing Standards) Bill 2017 (Vic) is unnecessary and threatens to undermine the separation of powers. Unfortunately it appears... |
Public ,
May 31, 2017
In relation to the Sex Offenders Registration Amendment (Miscellaneous) Bill 2017, we repeat our previous criticisms of the sex offenders registration regime made in our submission on the Sex... |
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public ,
May 30, 2017
As made clear in our submission to the Bail Review, Liberty Victoria is opposed to the State Government’s proposal to reverse the presumption of bail in a wide number of... |
Open Courts Act Review ,
May 30, 2017
Liberty Victoria had the opportunity to consider the detailed submission by Victoria Legal Aid (‘VLA’) and we respectfully endorse it and its recommendations. We also make the following brief observations on overarching principles that can be applied to all Acts that contain provisions... |
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Law Reform, Road and Community Safety Committee, Victorian Parliament ,
May 24, 2017
Liberty Victoria welcomes the opportunity to contribute to this timely inquiry. Clear evidence from other jurisdictions, the medical profession and respected human rights organisations demonstrates that drug reform is a health... |
public ,
May 19, 2017
The introduction of laws to govern how convictions are removed from a criminal record is a simple and straightforward reform. All other jurisdictions in Australia have laws that provide for the removal of certain less serious convictions from the records of past offenders who have not gone on to... |
| public , May 4, 2017 |
Acting Independent National Security Legislation Monitor ,
April 28, 2017
Liberty Victoria has made a submission to the Independent National Security Legislation Monitor’s (INSLM) Statutory Deadline Review of:
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public ,
April 13, 2017
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Legal and social issues committee, Parliament of Victoria ,
April 8, 2017
Government should reject calls for a more punitive approach to child prisoners, and should focus on the promotion of the rehabilitation of children and the removal of children from detention. In its submission to the Inquiry into Yourth Justice Centres in Victoria, Liberty noted that both major... |
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Sentencing Advisory Council ,
April 3, 2017
Liberty Victoria is mindful of the profound, pervasive, often catastrophic impacts of family violence in Victoria, and the need to develop holistic and sustained strategies to prevent and reduce family violence. Our organisation’s core concern is maintaining a society in which people’s rights,... |
Melbourne City Council ,
March 21, 2017
In Liberty's view the City of Melbourne’s proposed Activities (Public Amenity and Security) Local Law 2017 (“Amending Laws”) are draconian in their nature and target some of the most vulnerable persons in our community. Liberty Victoria has had the opportunity to read and consider the... |
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Engage Victoria for Victorian Department of the Premier and Cabinet ,
March 17, 2017
Liberty Victoria's submission to the Bail Review focuses on five topics related to the Bail Act 1977 (Vic):
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Open ,
March 14, 2017
Liberty Victoria and the unmanned systems industry are seeking answers to such questions as: is it legal for a neighbour to fly a drone over your backyard? Can you stop someone filming you from above at the beach? To mark the Privacy Awareness Week 2015, Liberty Victoria and the... |
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Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services ,
March 9, 2017
A lot of what we know about the harm being caused by our immigration policies comes from whistleblowers. However, many stay silent, deterred from speaking out. Their silence is harmful. It is harmful to those in our care and to our democracy. Here is the submission YLLR made to the Senate... |
Department of Communications and the Arts / Attorney General's Department , February 20, 2017 |
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Select Committee on the Exposure Draft of the Marriage Amendment (Same-Sex Marriage) Bill ,
January 20, 2017
Liberty Victoria welcomes the government's exposure draft marriage equality bill, but calls for religious exemptions to be removed, not expanded. Announced along with the failed plebiscite legislation, it is now subject of a Senate Inquiry. Liberty is pleased the bill would replace the... |
Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights ,
January 13, 2017
On 8 November 2016, the Attorney-General referred to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights for inquiry and report, whether the operation of Part IIA of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth) (including sections 18C and 18D) impose unreasonable restrictions on freedom of speech; and... |
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Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee ,
November 7, 2016
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... |
Public ,
November 4, 2016
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... |
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Public ,
October 31, 2016
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. This Bill... |
Public ,
October 12, 2016
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... |
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United Nations ,
September 23, 2016
Joint Submission for the United Kingdom’s Universal Periodic Review in 2017 submitted by a coalition of the following international human rights, fair trial and jurist organisations:
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Public ,
September 14, 2016
Liberty Victoria is deeply concerned about the gradual erosion of judicial discretion in sentencing and the move towards mandatory and/or more prescriptive models of sentencing. Part of that concern stems from the need for the legislature to carefully protect the separation of powers so that a... |
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Public ,
August 17, 2016
The Victorian Police Minister has foreshadowed laws to ban masks at protests. There have been reports that such laws may be of two kinds:
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Independent National Security Legislation Monitor ,
August 17, 2016
The Councils for Civil Liberties (“CCLs”)[1] have made a joint submission to the Independent National Security Legislation Monitor’s (INSLM) inquiry into certain questioning and detention powers (CQDPs) in relation to terrorism.... |
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Public ,
August 5, 2016
Liberty Victoria has in recent days been contacted by a number of persons concerned about the 2016 Census and the privacy implications for them. Liberty acknowledges that the collection of statistical data is a necessary and useful means for governments to plan for the... |
Public ,
June 10, 2016
'What we don't know, can hurt us’ Liberty Victoria's Young Liberty for Law Reform (YLLR) has released a report shining a light on a dark corner of our democracy. The report recommends fundamental and urgent changes to the laws that apply to whistleblowers in our immigration system, and... |
| Public , June 9, 2016 |
The Victorian Law Reform Commission ,
April 26, 2016
Liberty Victoria welcomed the opportunity to make this submission in relation to the Victorian Law Reform Commission’s (Commission) review of the Role of the Victims of Crime in the Criminal Trial Process (Review). Central to the Commission’s review is the question: what should the role... |
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Senate Standing Committees on Community Affairs ,
April 22, 2016
The legal apparatus that provides for a person with a cognitive disability to be detained, without review and on an indefinite basis, is concerning. The right to liberty, and the associated right to humane treatment while being deprived of liberty, are core tenets of Liberty Victoria... |
Public ,
April 18, 2016
Liberty Victoria opposes the enactment of the Serious Sex Offenders (Detention and Supervision) Amendment (Community Safety) Bill 2016 (Vic) (“the Bill”). The principal issue is whether the measures proposed to be introduced by the Bill are reasonably adapted for the purpose of making the... |
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Public ,
April 18, 2016
Liberty Victoria does not support the Infant Viability Bill 2015. We believe that the regulation of abortion has been dealt with appropriately under the Victorian Law Reform Act 2008. The Act already provides for abortion post-24 weeks which, in any case, are extremely rare and only undertaken... |
Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee ,
April 8, 2016
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Public ,
April 6, 2016
After working with Julian Burnside QC in his fight against unfair Myki fines, Young Liberty for Law reform created www.mykifines.org.au to help people understand their options when they are confronted by an Authorised... |
Public ,
March 29, 2016
Liberty Victoria is opposed to the Bill which:
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Public ,
March 17, 2016
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Public ,
March 8, 2016
Liberty Victoria opposes the Bill which proposes an amendment to the Corrections Act 1986 (Vic) (the Act) by insertion of a new provision that would, in effect, render a prisoner serving a prison sentence for murder, or conspiracy to commit murder, ineligible for parole... |
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Attorney-General's Department ,
March 8, 2016
The draft Privacy Amendment (Notification of Serious Data Breaches) Bill proposes to make amendments to the Privacy Act 1988 (Privacy Act) to introduce mandatory data breach notification provisions for regulated agencies, organisations and other entities (entities). Liberty... |
Public ,
March 4, 2016
Liberty Victoria is strongly opposed to the Bill and has submitted a comment to the Legislative Council of Parliament of Victoria. |
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Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee ,
March 4, 2016
Liberty Victoria would have preferred the opportunity to provide a more detailed submission but the time frame allowed for their provision was impossibly short. We hope that in future more time is allowed to make submissions on such important issues. In general terms, Liberty Victoria... |
Public ,
March 1, 2016
What happens to people when they are released from prison? This video explores some of the many issues facing people leaving the prison system. |
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Victorian Legislative Assembly ,
February 16, 2016
Liberty Victoria is opposed to the mandatory minimum sentence provisions in the Sentencing Act 1991 (Vic), and accordingly is also opposed to the expansion of those provisions to alleged offences against custodial officers through the Crimes Legislation Amendment Bill 2016 ("the Bill"). ... |
Sentencing Advisory Council ,
February 8, 2016
As an organisation Liberty Victoria is deeply concerned about the gradual erosion of judicial discretion in sentencing and the move towards mandatory and/or more prescriptive models of sentencing. Part of that concern stems from the need for the legislature to carefully protect the separation of... |
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Australian Parliament ,
November 23, 2015
The Presidents of the NSW, Victorian, Queensland and South Australian Councils for Civil Liberties and the Australian Council for Civil Liberties have put together a statement calling on the Australian Parliament to abandon the radical and misguided Australian Citizenship Amendment (Allegiance... |
Open ,
November 16, 2015
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Australian Law Reform Commission ,
October 18, 2015
The Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) received Terms of Reference on 19 May 2014. The ALRC released an Issues Paper and called for submissions on 10 December 2014. Submissions closed on 27... |
Open ,
September 14, 2015
‘Age determination’ is the process by which a person’s age is assessed. In the immigration context, it refers to the processes used by the country receiving asylum seekers to determine whether a person is a minor or an adult. In Australia, the role of assessing the age of children is performed... |
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Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee ,
September 4, 2015
Liberty submits that neither a referendum nor a plebiscite is an appropriate method to address matters of equality and human rights. Liberty urges the committee to reject the proposal, but to recommend instead that a Bill to amend the Marriage Act 1961 - to provide for equality in access to its... |
Victorian Government Legal and Social Issues Committee ,
August 5, 2015
Liberty Victoria supports a terminally ill person’s right to die with dignity. As early as 1998 Liberty Victoria produced a booklet titled The Final Choice – Considerations on Choosing to Die, and has in the past supported voluntary euthanasia Bills. Liberty Victoria has had... |
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Victorian Law Reform Commission ,
August 3, 2015
In October 2014 the Victorian Law Reform Commission (the Commission) was asked to examine and report on how the law can better prevent organised crime and criminal organisations from infiltrating occupations and industries. Regulatory regimes include licensing, registration requirements... |
Liberty Victoria / YLLR Report ,
July 31, 2015
Religious groups are allowed to provide dogmatic religious instruction to primary students in government schools. Is this acceptable in secular Australia? A sustained campaign against this practice from parents, educators and academics has long argued it is not. A new report from Liberty... |
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Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security ,
July 22, 2015
The councils for civil liberties across Australia (Liberty Victoria, New South Wales Council for Civil Liberties, Queensland Council for Civil Liberties, South Australia Council for Civil Liberties and the Australian Council for Civil Liberties) collaborated around this submission because the... |
Attorney-General, Department of Justice and Regulation Victoria , June 27, 2015 |
| Senate Finance and Public Administration Committee , June 4, 2015 |
Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee ,
May 7, 2015
Liberty Victoria is deeply concerned about the following aspects of the Bill:
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The Acting Independent National Security Legislation Monitor ,
April 22, 2015
Liberty Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australian and Australian Councils for Civil Liberties made a joint submission to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security on the Independent National Security Legislation Monitor (INSLM). The inquiry sought public... |
Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee ,
April 21, 2015
Liberty Victoria has had an opportunity to consider the recommendations of the Law Institute of Victoria and we fully endorse them. Liberty Victoria would have preferred the opportunity to provide more detailed submissions but the time frame allowed for their provision was impossibly... |
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Minister for Equality (Victoria) ,
April 1, 2015
The Review: The Victorian Government commissioned a review to consider the legislative amendments required to permit adoption of children by same-sex couples under Victorian law. The review is being conducted by Eamonn Moran PSM QC, former Chief Parliamentary Counsel and a current... |
March 21, 2015
Legal funding for asylum seekers was drastically cut on 31 March 2014. Asylum seekers need lawyers. The refugee determination process in Australia is highly complex.... |
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Senate Standing Committees on Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport ,
March 19, 2015
This bill seeks to prevent unnecessary delays in the reporting of animal cruelty and what are described as ‘illegal interferences in the lawful operation of animal enterprises.’ Whilst Liberty Victoria is broadly supportive of measures aimed at protecting animals against acts of malicious... |
Joint Select Committee on Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples ,
February 10, 2015
The Joint Select Committee on Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples has been accepting submissions as part of its duties to inquire into steps required for a successful referendum on constitutional recognition of Australia’s indigenous population. The... |
| Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security , January 20, 2015 | Victorian Ombudsman , January 12, 2015 |
| Criminal Law Review Department of Justice State Govt Victoria , December 16, 2014 |
Victorian Department of Justice ,
December 9, 2014
Overview 1. None of the reforms proposed by the Children, Youth and Families (Disclosure of Youth Offending) Bill 2014 are necessary. They reflect an erosion of the longstanding, important and internationally-recognised principle that children who offend must... |
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Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee ,
November 6, 2014
For the following reasons, Liberty Victoria is opposed to this Bill: 1. The Bill seeks to repeal entirely the scheme for Freedom of Information (FOI) Review set in place in 2010. It is a return, therefore, to a system of external review that had been found wanting only four... |
Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee ,
October 28, 2014
Liberty Victoria wishes to endorse the submission made by the New South Wales Council for Civil Liberties to the Inquiry into the Migration Amendment (Character and General Visa Cancellation) Bill 2014. Of particular concern to Liberty is the increase in the Minister's personal... |
| Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security , October 3, 2014 |
Open ,
September 15, 2014
Liberty Victoria is strongly opposed to the Sentencing Amendment (Coward's Punch Manslaughter and Other Matters) Bill 2014. The Bill seeks to enact mandatory sentencing (a 10 year mandatory minimum non-parole period for manslaughter in circumstances of a "coward’s punch/ strike" and/or... |
| Open , September 5, 2014 | Open , September 5, 2014 |
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Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee ,
September 5, 2014
Liberty Victoria is pleased to make the following comments on the Medical Services (Dying with Dignity) Exposure Draft Bill. Our organisation is fully supportive of the Bill, while wishing to suggest some minor amendments to its terms. Liberty Victoria has a long and proud... |
Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee , August 22, 2014 |
| Parliamentary Joint Committee On Intelligence and Security , August 16, 2014 | Attorney-General's Dept, Human Rights Policy Branch , May 8, 2014 |
| Department of Justice, Victoria , April 24, 2014 | Victoria Legal Aid , March 7, 2014 |
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Victorian Department of Justice ,
January 24, 2014
Submitted to the Victorian Department of Justice |
Victorian Law Reform Commission ,
January 24, 2014
Submitted to the Victorian Law Reform Commission |
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Victoria Police Community Consulation ,
September 1, 2013
Submitted to Victoria Police Community Consultation - Cultural Training and 'Field Contact' Policies and Processes. |
Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee ,
July 1, 2013
To the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee |
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Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee ,
June 1, 2013
Submitted to Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs |
Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee ,
April 1, 2013
Submitted to Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee |
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Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee ,
February 1, 2013
Submitted to Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee |
The Senate Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee , November 23, 2005 |
