Labor considers landmark human rights law … again
Australia is the only advanced democracy without a human rights act or bill of rights - but Anthony Albanese's government isn't in a hurry to change that.
justice and rights
Israel kills five in Gaza as Egypt hosts ceasefire meet
An Israeli strike has killed five people in Gaza as Hamas and Israel trade blame for truce violations and Egypt hosts new talks to salvage the ceasefire deal.
Men asked to step up for equality at global summit
Australian voices have contributed to a global festival of creativity and activism promoting caring manhood and how men can help further equality in the world.
Hope fades for national gun law reforms after Bondi
Most states have turned their back on nationally consistent gun law reforms spearheaded by the federal government in the aftermath of the Bondi massacre.
Stolen Generations still paying price of forced removal
The many thousands of Indigenous children who were forcibly removed from their families from 1910 to 1970 are being remembered as part of National Sorry Day.
‘Absolute hell’: emotional return for flotilla group
A group of Australians who were detained by Israel after trying to deliver aid to Gaza have described harrowing experiences in custody as they arrived home.
‘No dignity’: formal apology for stolen body parts
A state government has formally apologised to the loved ones of people whose remains were secretly taken during autopsies and kept without consent.
The 50-year fight to recognise rural mums’ unpaid work
Outback women are expected to supervise their children's education for years without getting paid, as a five-decade fight for recognition continues.
Alleged killer cop’s mum accused of perverting justice
A women has been charged with perverting the course of justice after allegedly attempting to influence a witness in her son's high-profile double murder trial.
‘Manosphere’ rise requires new gender equality approach
Gender equality activists have gathered for a landmark conference aimed at charting a new way forward as anti-rights movements gain traction.
‘Lost’ rule opens door to Indigenous sovereignty
A "lost" rule has upended legal precedent, opening the door for Indigenous communities to ask the High Court to rule on sovereignty, fresh research has found.
Pro-Palestine protesters arrested over banned chant
Police have arrested a number of demonstrators who chanted a banned pro-Palestine phrase, which is also used in a John Farnham classic.
Australia ‘going backwards’ on human rights of children
A federal cabinet minister for children has been recommended to a Senate inquiry examining Australia's youth justice and incarceration system.
Impossible to ignore: joy as largest trans flag unfurls
The world's largest trans flag has been unveiled in a moment of joy and pride, in a sign of resistance to policies that have impacted some young people.
‘Barriers remain’ in voluntary assisted dying access
Voluntary assisted dying laws in Australia are largely working as intended, but issues around remote access and obstruction by health facilities remain.
Why small business is fighting back against Meta bans
After months of being locked out of her business social media accounts, an Australian hairdresser has finally regained access but she's one of the lucky ones.
Family kidnap claims as Iranian soccer players return
As only two members of the Iranian women's soccer team remain in Australia, the local diaspora says families of those seeking asylum are being targeted.
Women judges hold the line against gender justice gap
A small Pacific nation is leading others when it comes to female judiciary representation but disparities around the world affect how justice is delivered.
Call to action to close gendered gaps in justice system
International Women's Day is being marked as a call to balance the scales and ensure all women and girls have fair and inclusive access to justice.
Prison flagged for those who help ‘ISIS bride’ cohort
Aid groups have hit out at plans by the coalition to jail people found to have helped a cohort of women and children linked to the Islamic State to return home.
Passport law overhaul urged to stop ‘ISIS bride’ cohort
The opposition has called for passports to be refused for Australian women and children in a group with links to former Islamic State fighters.
Hard reality of reconciliation on apology anniversary
There remains a long way to go for Indigenous reconciliation as racism continues to fester, almost two decades on from the apology to the Stolen Generations.
crime, law and justice
death and dying
indigenous people
inquest
justice and rights
prison
punishment
research
Deadly disparity for Indigenous people under restraint
A study of deaths in custody has highlighted a disturbing disparity involving the use of a potentially lethal restraint on Indigenous Australians.
Australia tarnished by persistent racism, refugee abuse
Australia has again failed to curb refugee abuses and rampant discrimination, including against Indigenous people, in its human rights report card.
Decades-long wait for land claim decisions called out
More than 40,000 land claims remain unresolved in NSW, but the Aboriginal Land Council will not let them go unnoticed.
Pride and shame: national day leaving many conflicted
There are mixed emotions for many about Australia's national day. For some it means celebration, for others mourning and marking the beginning of colonisation.
Activist vows continued resistance despite protest laws
New curbs on protests in the wake of the Bondi terror attack will not deter activists from rallying in a major city against Indigenous deaths in custody.
Assange files complaint against Nobel winner Machado
Julian Assange has filed a complaint accusing the Nobel Foundation of facilitating "war crimes" by awarding the Nobel Peace Prize to Maria Corina Machado.
Suspect in Charlie Kirk killing appears in court
The man charged with killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk has made his first in-person court appearance as his lawyers push to further limit media access.
UN inspectors again frozen out of Australian prisons
United Nations inspectors have been barred from a crime-troubled territory's prisons and watch houses, raising questions about what authorities have to hide.
‘Disruptive’ bail checks left brothers scared of police
Life was happy for an Aboriginal family until police subjected them to more than 150 bail checks in 20 months, which they say amounted to discrimination.