IsaiahOne

Statement: No need to retain unused legal right to deny service

angus1 — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 22:31:42 +0000

The Federal Government recently backed away from following through on its earlier commitments to consolidate anti-discrimination laws. It has proposed instead to amend the Sex Discrimination Act to include gay, lesbian, transgender and intersex people within its ambit. The shadow Attorney-General has expressed support for these changes. It would mean that aged-care service providers could [...]

Welcome to Australia – walk together as a sign of hospitality

angus1 — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 23:09:56 +0000

At 1pm on June 23 on the Saturday of Refugee Week, Australians are gathering in cities and towns to walk together as a sign that we are a welcoming and hospitable community. Why not go with members from your church community?

Welcoming asylum seekers and refugees is especially important at this point in our history. The [...]

Friday Forum – Why Australia (still) needs a Charter of rights

angus1 — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 01:25:07 +0000

The following presentation was given as part of a public forum on human rights in Australia. Questions and discussion followed the presentation.

Going it alone – Why Australia (still) needs a Charter of human rights

Introduction

I am going to address four questions in order to begin our conversation:

1. What is a Charter of rights?

2. What’s in [...]

Seminar: Australia going it alone on human rights

angus1 — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 20:47:57 +0000

Angus McLeay is speaking at a public seminar held at Hobart Anglican Cathedral, 1pm, Friday June 8. Australia is the only liberal Western democracy without a comprehensive list of human rights framed by Constitution or statutory law (although two sub-federal jurisdictions have a Charter, the ACT and Victoria).

Human rights concerns continue to be prominent [...]

Victorian Government Moves to Support Human Rights … Against Vocal Christian Opposition

angus1 — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 21:35:56 +0000

Victorian Government Moves to Support Human Rights … Against Vocal Christian Opposition

MEDIA RELEASE Friday 16 March 2012

Seek justice, defend the oppressed; take up the cause of the fatherless, plead [...]

Charter review response – how good are the alternatives?

angus1 — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 23:20:28 +0000

Yesterday the Government’s Scrutiny of Acts and Regulations Committee delivered its report to the Victorian Parliament. The Report contains two conflicting recommendations, divided along political lines. The majority report recommendation is that only one of the three existing Charter functions be retained. This would effectively remove the Charter’s influence in the courts as well as [...]

Practical Care & Concern and a ‘Charter of Rights’

angus1 — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 13:11:33 +0000

Do we really care about the vulnerable and needy? Who would say no? Yet what practical implications arise from this claim to care? The brother of Jesus and early church leader, James, explained that doing good is not about mere assurances,

14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith [...]

Victorian Charter Review Report Released

angus1 — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 12:57:08 +0000

14 September 2011 – Victorian Government Charter Review Report Handed Down. The Scrutiny of Acts and Regulations Committee has delivered its report to Parliament. It presents two views, a majority (Government backed) recommendation and a minority recommendation. The majority report recommends significantly reducing the Charter’s scope in relation to overseeing government services and the ability [...]

IsaiahOne submission to Charter Review Inquiry: Effects on the disadvantaged

angus1 — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 00:47:53 +0000

The Victorian Government is undertaking a review of Victoria’s Charter of Rights and Responsibilities following 4 years of the Charter’s operation. The Government’s Scrutiny of Acts and Regulations Committee (SARC), which has been appointed to review the Charter, has received a large number of submissions. Public hearings before the committee shall be held and SARC must table [...]

Everyone loved by God deserves basic rights

angus1 — Tue, 31 May 2011 00:23:11 +0000

In an editorial following the announcement of a review into the Victorian Charter, the Herald-Sun responded with this headline: “Dump Labor’s charter for crims” – Editorial Sunday Herald Sun, April 24, 2011. The paper went on to slam the Charter for being “hijacked” by criminals:

“As the Sunday Herald Sun has repeatedly pointed out, the charter has been [...]