Aboriginal man frustrated after loss in age pension bid
Aboriginal man Dennis James Fisher has lost a Federal Court case arguing he should have access to age pension sooner because of his shorter life expectancy.
human rights
China warns Australia to hand over activist ‘fugitives’
China has told countries harbouring Hong Kong activists to stop providing a safe haven after arrest warrants were issued for two Australian residents.
One of last men held on Nauru says he lost everything
The Australian government has moved all refugees and asylum seekers off Nauru but will retain the capacity for offshore detention.
Citizenship door opens for Kiwis in Australia
New Zealanders living in Australia have plenty of reasons to take up pathways to citizenship; including job opportunities, disability support, or to vote.
‘Egregious breach’: Teen’s sentence cut after isolation
An Aboriginal teen who spent more than two years on remand in a Queensland youth detention centre was in solitary confinement for much of that time.
Elders join Greenpeace Pacific climate campaign voyage
Torres Strait Islander elders Pabai Pabai and Paul Kabai have joined a global campaign to have climate change addressed by the International Court of Justice.
NSW equality legislation set to make queer life easier
Sydney MP Alex Greenwich has introduced equality legislation, saying NSW has fallen behind other states and territories when it comes to LGBTQIA+ rights.
South Australian pet owners set for rental rights boost
The South Australian government has unveiled rental reforms to ban landlords from unreasonably refusing a tenant's request to keep a pet.
Housing affordability, access, top concerns amid crisis
Gaining access to adequate housing has become harder in most states and territories, with the exception of Victoria.
crime, law and justice
human rights
indigenous people
judiciary (system of justice)
justice and rights
juvenile delinquency
laws
police
politics (general)
prisoners and detainees
social issues (general)
Queensland passes controversial youth justice laws
The Queensland parliament has passed laws that criminalise bail breaches for children and allow courts to fit 15-year-olds with GPS trackers.
Controversial youth justice bill gets green light
Queensland's youth justice bill should be passed with limitations on human rights justified to ensure public safety, a parliamentary committee says.
human rights
indigenous people
judiciary (system of justice)
justice and rights
juvenile delinquency
politics (general)
prisoners and detainees
Qld sentencing data could make case for raising the age
Less than 10 per cent of young offenders in Queensland are under 14, a report says, as states weigh increasing the criminal age of responsibility.
Human rights commission unveils proposed federal act
Governments would have to consider 28 human rights in their decisions under a landmark proposal by the Australian Human Rights Commission.
Child detention alone won’t work, Queensland mayor says
Townsville's mayor says child offenders should be in rehabilitation programs in detention or sent to live in more structured environments away from the city.
Revolving door risk in tougher bail for young offenders
Proposed laws that would likely put Queensland children in detention may increase the risk of reoffending and not improve safety, an inquiry has been told.
crime, law and justice
human rights
indigenous people
justice and rights
juvenile delinquency
laws
politics (general)
social issues (general)
North Qld mayors urge holistic approach to youth crime
A Far North Queensland mayor says children as young as eight are out late at night because they're unsafe at home as the state weighs harsher youth laws.
Thorpe challenges athletes to wear rainbow colours
Australian swimming icon Ian Thorpe is appealing to high-profile athletes to don rainbow shirts to show support for young, gay people facing discrimination.
Qld youth justice reforms ‘would cause more crime’
Top Queensland legal bodies have criticised the lack of consultation on the Palaszczuk government's youth justice bill, saying it's likely to cause more crime.
Watchdog says Qld youth laws will ‘erode basic rights’
National Children's Commissioner Anne Hollonds says Queensland's plan for tougher bail laws and more children's prisons will fail to improve community safety.
Qld govt defends bail crackdown limiting child rights
The Queensland government says its criminalising breaching bail as part of its youth crime crackdown because the community has called for it.
Qld knife searches lead police to drugs
New Queensland laws are designed to find hidden blades, but expanding random search powers could mean an increase in low level drug offences.
Qld acts on UN inspection constraints
The Queensland government has introduced new laws removing restrictions so UN inspectors can visit patients being held in mental health facilities in person.
Tarrant appeals convictions and sentence
Australian man Brenton Tarrant has filed an appeal against his convictions and life sentence for killing 51 mosque worshippers in Christchurch.
Women and children heading home from Syria
A group of Australian women and children held in detention in northeast Syria have taken the first steps to return home.
Qld denies hindering UN prison inspectors
The Queensland government has denied hindering UN prison inspectors, saying they were only stopped from visiting some detainees with severe mental illness.
Aus dismayed as UN rejects China debate
The Australian government has expressed concern after the United Nations could not agree to hold a debate over China's alleged human rights abuses.
Qld govt backs Indigenous women’s report
The Palaszczuk Government has announced its support for the Australian Human Rights Commission's Wiyi Yani U Thangani report and project.
Myanmar executes democracy activists
Myanmar's junta faces global condemnation after executing four democracy activists accused of helping a resistance movement.
Spike in racism compels national strategy
A spike in attacks on Asian, Jewish, Muslim and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people has highlighted the need for a national plan to fight racism.
Leaking charges against Collaery dropped
Lawyer Bernard Collaery has thanked his supporters after Australia's new attorney-general ordered whistleblower leaking charges against him to be dropped.
Whistleblower leaking charges dropped
Leaking charges against lawyer Bernard Collaery relating to an alleged Australian spying operation will be dropped after the attorney-general intervened.