Civil and legal rights groups say New South Wales Labor's amendments to the Anti-Discrimination Act are too broad and could harm other fundamental rights. Rachel Evans reports.
NSW Council for Civil Liberties
Judge Timothy Gartelmann released climate activist Violet CoCo, on bail, pending her appeal on March 2, 2023. Rachel Evans reports.
The NSW Premier said he is pleased Deanna “Violet” CoCo was jailed for her non-violent protest. Wendy Bacon writes that he is out of step with human rights and climate change groups.
In yet another blow to the right to protest, Labor’s NSW conference significantly watered-down a motion calling for the party to drop support for anti-protest laws. Josh Pallas reports.
In these paranoid times, it is somewhat sobering to acknowledge that the mass monitoring of the population is an offspring of the turn of the century, writes Paul Gregoire.
ABC’s Foreign Correspondent recently discussed China’s Social Credit system where, in the name of creating a safer society and enhancing national security, China has begun rolling out facial recognition technology. This technology is being linked up in an unprecedented way so that almost every minute of the day-to-day movements of all citizens can be monitored.
Since 2003, the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) has had the power to detain people for up to seven days, without charge, for questioning in relation to a terrorism investigation.
That person does not have to be a terrorism suspect or even an associate of a terrorism suspect; is compelled to answer questions; and is forced to keep the detention and interrogation secret.
The NSW Minerals Council chief executive Stephen Galilee is keen on new anti-protest laws in NSW. He claims to be concerned about the safety of the workers as well as the protesters “illegally accessing mine sites”.
Mining and Energy Minister Antony Roberts has been a little more blunt: he says the new law is aimed at better enforcing the protection of private property and “lawful business activity”.
Most, however, can see through the spin.
