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ALHR Newsletters → 2013 → December → 20
ALHR NSW December 2013 newsletter
20/12/2013
Hi all
One last newsletter for the year! Developments in human rights arena continue to keep us busy, and we are planning a few events early in the new year, so please save the date(s).
A very big thank you to all of you who came to our final State Committee meeting. It was a great night and wonderful to meet some new people in person.
We would also like to take the opportunity thank you for your support and to wish you a safe and happy holiday season. We look forward to seeing you in 2014, and to meeting more of you in person.
WHAT'S IN THIS NEWSLETTER
1. Brief updates
2. First meeting of 2014 - President of ALHR will attend
3. Save the date - Panel discussion on racial hatred provisions - 26 February
3. Upcoming submissions - let us know if you are interested in contributing
1. BRIEF HUMAN RIGHTS UPDATES
*Funding cuts to the legal assistance sector, including cuts to the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Service and cuts to all of the law reform and policy officer positions in state and territory affiliates: http://www.natsils.org.au/portals/natsils/Media%20Releases/17-12-13%20NATSILS%20MR%20Govt%20to%20defund%20NATSILS%20and%20all%20ATSILS%20Law%20Reform%20and%20Policy%20Positions.pdf
Please email us if you would like a copy of ALHR' media release on this issue: [email protected]
*Government reneging on funding commitment for the National Congress of Australia?s First Peoples: http://www.natsils.org.au/portals/natsils/Media%20Releases/20-12-13%20NATSILS%20MR%20Government%20cuts%20support%20for%20National%20Congress.pdf
*All federal funding cut to the Environment Defenders Office: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-12-18/funding-cut-to-environmental-defenders-offices/5164934
*Appointment of Tim Wilson, previously of the Institute of Public Affairs, as the new Human Rights Commissioner and Freedom Commissioner (who is calling for abolition of the racial hatred provision): http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/18/human-rights-commissioner-calls-for-repeal-of-law-banning-offensive-speech and http://www.theage.com.au/comment/championing-human-rights-in-the-wrong-way-20131218-2zl91.html
*New "code of conduct" for asylum seekers which could lead to a cancellation of their bridging visas: http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2013/12/17/asylum-seeker-code-conduct-sparks-condemnation
*Immigration Minister has revoked his own cap on the number of protection visa grants following a High Court challenge: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/policy/scott-morrison-backtracks-on-cap-on-protection-visas-after-legal-challenge/story-fn9hm1gu-1226787280842
Please email us if you would like a copy of ALHR's media release condemning the freeze on protection visas: [email protected]
*The High Court of Australia strikes down ACT's same-sex marriage law but says explicitly that there is no constitutional impediment to the Federal government legislating to provide for marriage equality: http://www.hcourt.gov.au/assets/publications/judgment-summaries/2013/hca55-2013-12-12.pdf
2. FIRST MEETING IN THE NEW YEAR - 13 FEBRUARY 2014
A reminder that our first meeting for 2014 will be held at 6.30pm on 13 February 2014, location TBD.
We will be joined by John Southalan, ALHR President who will have just attended High Court proceedings in which ALHR filed its first amicus curiae application, in respect of the matter State of Western Australia v Brown and Ors. ALHR?s submissions as filed are available here: http://www.hcourt.gov.au/cases/case_p49-2013
3. SAVE THE DATE - PANEL DISCUSSIONS ON RACIAL HATRED PROVISION - 26 FEBRUARY 2014
We are pleased to be able to let you know that ALHR NSW will be holding a panel discussion on the proposed repeal of, or amendments to, the racial hatred provisions of the Racial Discrimination Act. Confirmed panelists are:
*Dr Tim Soutphommasane, Race Discrimination Commissioner, Australian Human Rights Commission.
*Ms Kate Eastman SC, human rights barrister and a founder of ALHR, a member of the Bar Association's Human Rights and Equal Opportunity committees.
*Mr Peter Wertheim, Executive Director of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, member of the NSW Anti-Discrimination Board and Australian Multicultural Advisory Council.
It will take place in the evening of 26 February 2014, location to be announced.
4. UPCOMING SUBMISSIONS
There are a number of inquiries and reviews that ALHR is planning to make submissions to. These are set out below. Please contact us if you are interested in contributing to any of this work:
*Senate Committee inquiry into the Migration Amendment (Regaining Control Over Australia?s Protection Obligations) Bill 2013 (seeking to dismantle the complementary protection framework) (due 23 January 2014).
*NSW Ombudsman's review of consorting laws (due 28 February 2013).
*Australian Law Reform Commission reference from the Attorney-General to "identify provisions that unreasonably encroach upon traditional rights, freedoms and privileges" (terms of reference yet to be announced).
Best wishes,
Jarrah, Kerry and Vicky
One last newsletter for the year! Developments in human rights arena continue to keep us busy, and we are planning a few events early in the new year, so please save the date(s).
A very big thank you to all of you who came to our final State Committee meeting. It was a great night and wonderful to meet some new people in person.
We would also like to take the opportunity thank you for your support and to wish you a safe and happy holiday season. We look forward to seeing you in 2014, and to meeting more of you in person.
WHAT'S IN THIS NEWSLETTER
1. Brief updates
2. First meeting of 2014 - President of ALHR will attend
3. Save the date - Panel discussion on racial hatred provisions - 26 February
3. Upcoming submissions - let us know if you are interested in contributing
1. BRIEF HUMAN RIGHTS UPDATES
*Funding cuts to the legal assistance sector, including cuts to the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Service and cuts to all of the law reform and policy officer positions in state and territory affiliates: http://www.natsils.org.au/portals/natsils/Media%20Releases/17-12-13%20NATSILS%20MR%20Govt%20to%20defund%20NATSILS%20and%20all%20ATSILS%20Law%20Reform%20and%20Policy%20Positions.pdf
Please email us if you would like a copy of ALHR' media release on this issue: [email protected]
*Government reneging on funding commitment for the National Congress of Australia?s First Peoples: http://www.natsils.org.au/portals/natsils/Media%20Releases/20-12-13%20NATSILS%20MR%20Government%20cuts%20support%20for%20National%20Congress.pdf
*All federal funding cut to the Environment Defenders Office: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-12-18/funding-cut-to-environmental-defenders-offices/5164934
*Appointment of Tim Wilson, previously of the Institute of Public Affairs, as the new Human Rights Commissioner and Freedom Commissioner (who is calling for abolition of the racial hatred provision): http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/18/human-rights-commissioner-calls-for-repeal-of-law-banning-offensive-speech and http://www.theage.com.au/comment/championing-human-rights-in-the-wrong-way-20131218-2zl91.html
*New "code of conduct" for asylum seekers which could lead to a cancellation of their bridging visas: http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2013/12/17/asylum-seeker-code-conduct-sparks-condemnation
*Immigration Minister has revoked his own cap on the number of protection visa grants following a High Court challenge: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/policy/scott-morrison-backtracks-on-cap-on-protection-visas-after-legal-challenge/story-fn9hm1gu-1226787280842
Please email us if you would like a copy of ALHR's media release condemning the freeze on protection visas: [email protected]
*The High Court of Australia strikes down ACT's same-sex marriage law but says explicitly that there is no constitutional impediment to the Federal government legislating to provide for marriage equality: http://www.hcourt.gov.au/assets/publications/judgment-summaries/2013/hca55-2013-12-12.pdf
2. FIRST MEETING IN THE NEW YEAR - 13 FEBRUARY 2014
A reminder that our first meeting for 2014 will be held at 6.30pm on 13 February 2014, location TBD.
We will be joined by John Southalan, ALHR President who will have just attended High Court proceedings in which ALHR filed its first amicus curiae application, in respect of the matter State of Western Australia v Brown and Ors. ALHR?s submissions as filed are available here: http://www.hcourt.gov.au/cases/case_p49-2013
3. SAVE THE DATE - PANEL DISCUSSIONS ON RACIAL HATRED PROVISION - 26 FEBRUARY 2014
We are pleased to be able to let you know that ALHR NSW will be holding a panel discussion on the proposed repeal of, or amendments to, the racial hatred provisions of the Racial Discrimination Act. Confirmed panelists are:
*Dr Tim Soutphommasane, Race Discrimination Commissioner, Australian Human Rights Commission.
*Ms Kate Eastman SC, human rights barrister and a founder of ALHR, a member of the Bar Association's Human Rights and Equal Opportunity committees.
*Mr Peter Wertheim, Executive Director of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, member of the NSW Anti-Discrimination Board and Australian Multicultural Advisory Council.
It will take place in the evening of 26 February 2014, location to be announced.
4. UPCOMING SUBMISSIONS
There are a number of inquiries and reviews that ALHR is planning to make submissions to. These are set out below. Please contact us if you are interested in contributing to any of this work:
*Senate Committee inquiry into the Migration Amendment (Regaining Control Over Australia?s Protection Obligations) Bill 2013 (seeking to dismantle the complementary protection framework) (due 23 January 2014).
*NSW Ombudsman's review of consorting laws (due 28 February 2013).
*Australian Law Reform Commission reference from the Attorney-General to "identify provisions that unreasonably encroach upon traditional rights, freedoms and privileges" (terms of reference yet to be announced).
Best wishes,
Jarrah, Kerry and Vicky