Liberty Victoria, together with Pride in Law, is proud to present our joint submission to the ‘Inquiry into anti-LGBTIQA+ hate crimes in Victoria’. Our submission examines the challenges and limitations of existing legal frameworks and mechanisms available to respond to anti-LGBTQIA+ hate crimes, highlighting critical gaps in current systems and recommending reforms to better support […]
Liberty Victoria opposes the measures contained in the Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Bill 2026 (Cth). This Bill – which has not been the subject of meaningful consultation or expert feedback – is unlikely to reduce the risk of future violence or hate. Instead, it proposes poorly-considered measures that will create further division and significantly […]
Author: Liberty VictoriaSpecial Envoy Report Response Liberty Victoria has carefully reviewed the Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism’s plan to combat antisemitism. Sadly, it is evident that the report is not a genuine or serious inquiry into prejudice and discrimination. Instead, the report appears designed to bring about a particular outcome, namely, to stifle criticism of […]
Author: Liberty VictoiraSubmitted To: Legal and Social Issues Committee, Parliament of VictoriaLiberty Victoria has consistently advocated for the reform of Victoria’s cannabis laws. Consistent with previous submissions, we consider that the best way to protect the health of those adults who use cannabis, to protect public health and safety, and to prevent criminal activity relating […]
Author: Liberty VictoiraSubmitted To: Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human RightsLiberty Victoria welcomed the opportunity to provide a submission to the Inquiry into Antisemitism at Australian Universities. We support actions of government and universities to address antisemitism on university campuses and in Australia generally, and believe the best way to protect the human rights of all […]
Author: Liberty Victoria Submitted To: Senate Standing Committees on Environment and CommunicationsThere needs to be a more considered approach. Liberty Victoria advocates for more targeted interventions that aim to minimise harms while preserving social media’s benefits for children under the age of 16. A blanket ban will be ineffective and indeed will make matters worse […]
Author: Liberty VictoriaSubmitted To: Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs CommitteeThis Bill should be withdrawn without delay. Politicised attacks on people based on their visa status must end. The harms inflicted are severe, generational, and go to the heart of Australian culture and community. We must all be equal before the law. Refugees and migrants are […]
Committal hearings have long served as a critically important part of the protections afforded in Victoria to persons accused of serious crimes. The current system holds significant value in ensuring adequate disclosure, promoting the early resolution of cases, minimising the impact on vulnerable witnesses and ultimately easing pressure on the criminal justice system. Author: Liberty […]
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 […]
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 […]
Author: Liberty VictoriaSubmitted To: Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs CommitteeOn 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 […]
Author: The Visa Cancellations Working GroupSubmitted To: Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural AffairsRecent political and media attacks on legal procedures governing visa cancellation are of immense concern. They threaten the rule of law and the integrity of institutions and outcomes. The Tribunal is an expert body established by the Government as a vital check […]