Civil rights

Assessments in the field of civil rights

Effectiveness of imprisonment

The Society's paper entitled "Effectiveness of Imprisonment", 2nd edition, was released in May 1993. A copy is available on request to the PPAS secretariat (polsoc@mpx.com.au).

Abstract: The effectiveness of imprisonment in protecting the community is assessed by examining available data on outcomes - ie, on recidivism following release from prison.

Citizen initiated referendums

In September 1994 the ACT Legislative Assembly's Select Committee on Community Initiated Referendums advertised for public submissions. A copy of the Society's submission dated October 1994 is available from the Society secretariat (polsoc@mpx.com.au).

Jury service

In November 1994 the Law Reform Committee of Victoria (35 Spring St, Melbourne, Vic 3000) published Issues Paper No. 1 entitled "Jury Service in Victoria" and invited public submissions. The Society made a submission dated January 1995. In November 1995 the Committee published Issues Paper No. 2 entitled "Jury Service in Victoria" and invited public submissions. The Society made a submission dated January 1996.

Public assemblies & street offences

In January 1993 the ACT Attorney-General directed the Community Law Reform Committee of the ACT (GIO Building, City Walk, Canberra ACT 2601) to review the law relating to behaviour in public places and the right of freedom of public assembly. In March 1994, the Committee published its Issues Paper No. 10 entitled "Public Assemblies and Street Offences", and invited submissions from the public. A copy of the Society's Submission to the Committee, dated July 1994, is available from the PPAS secretariat (polsoc@mpx.com.au).

The Land Fund Bill

On 28 November 1994, the Senate established the Select Committee on the Land Fund Bill to examine certain matters concerning the Senate's amendments and request for amendment to the ATSIC Amendment (Indigenous Land Corporation and Land Fund) Bill 1994. The Society made a submission dated December 1994.

Privacy Act - credit providers

In July 1994 the Privacy Commissioner (Human Rights Australia, GPO Box 5218, Sydney NSW 2001) advertised that he had received a request that he make a determination under s 11B(1)(b)(v)(B) of the Privacy Act to enable a corporation which takes assignment of a loan provided by a credit provider to be regarded, in relation to that loan, as a credit provider for the purposes of the Act. The Commissioner invited public comment. The Society responded with a submission to the Privacy Commissioner dated July 1994.

Child support charter

In December 1994 the Child Support Agency of the Australian Taxation Office (2 Constitution Avenue, Canberra ACT 2601) announced its intention to develop a charter informing Agency clients of their rights. Submissions were invited from the public. The Society responded with a submission dated December 1994. A copy is available from the PPAS secretariat (polsoc@mpx.com.au).

Litigation costs rules

In October 1994 the Australian Law Reform Commission (GPO Box 3708, Sydney NSW 2001) published its Issues Paper No. 13 entitled "Who Should Pay? A review of the litigation costs rules." The Society made a submission dated February 1995.

Euthanasia

The Society has issued a Position Paper on Euthanasia, dated March 1995.

The right to protest or demonstrate on national land

In April 1995 the Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories (Parliament House, Canberra ACT 2600) announced its inquiry into the right to legitimately protest or demonstrate on national land. The Society made a submission dated April 1995.

Consent to medical treatment of young people

In May 1995 the Queensland Law Reform Commission (PO Box 312, Roma Street, Brisbane Q 4003) published its Discussion Paper No. WP 44 entitled "Consent to medical treatment of young people". The Society made a submission dated July 1995.

Disability services legislation

In August 1995 the Australian Law Reform Commission (GPO Box 3708, Sydney 2001) published its Discussion Paper No. 60 entitled "Commonwealth disability services legislation". The Society made a submission, dated November 1995. A copy is available from the PPAS secretariat (polsoc@mpx.com.au).

Legal liability of health service providers

In January 1996 the Law Reform Committee of Victoria (80 Collins St, Melbourne, Vic 3000) published Issues Paper No. 1 entitled "Legal Liability of Health Service Providers" and invited public submissions. The Society made a submission, dated March 1996. A copy is available from the PPAS secretariat (polsoc@mpx.com.au).

Discrimination

The Society has issued a Position Paper entitled Discrimination law - Time to review the rationale, dated April 1996.

Children and the legal process

In March 1996 the Australian Law Reform Commission (GPO Box 3708, Sydney NSW 2001) published its Issues Paper No. 18 entitled "Speaking for ourselves. Children and the legal process." The Society made a submission dated July 1996.

Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from their Families

In November 1994 the Society issued a Research Paper entitled "Aboriginal deaths in custody - Details of separation from family in childhood".

In 1995 the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (GPO Box 5218, Sydney NSW 2001) established the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from their Families. The Commission invited submissions from the public, and the Society responded with a submission dated July 1996.

Racial discrimination

In May 1996 the Race Discrimination Commissioner (Human Rights Australia, GPO Box 5218, Sydney NSW 2001) commenced a review of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975, and issued a Community Consultation Guide. The Society responded with a submission to the Race Discrimination Commissioner dated August 1996.

Privacy protection in the private sector

In September 1996 the Attorney-General's Department (National Circuit, Barton, ACT 2600) published its Discussion Paper entitled "Privacy protection in the private sector." The Society made a submission dated November 1996.

Freedom of religion and belief

In February 1997 the Human Rights Commissioner (GPO Box 5218, Sydney NSW 1042) published his Discussion Paper No. 1 entitled Free to Believe?: The Right to Freedom of Religion and Belief in Australia, and invited responses. See Information Paper. The Society submitted a Position Paper dated June 1997.

Immigration: Family reunification

In January 1998 the Society issued a Report entitled "Immigration rules applying to family members".

Immigration: Discrimination

In July 1998 the Society issued a Report entitled "Discriminatory aspects of Australia's immigration program".