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Civil Liberties

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Many nations are turning to charters of rights as the main protector of civil liberties. CIS explores whether this is the best approach for Australia, and the extent to which our legal system can and should enshrine more than just civil and political rights.

Publications

  1. FEATURE: The Battlelines of Interpretation in Racial Vilification Laws

    Darryn Jensen | 20 Aug 2011 | POLICY Magazine

    Racial vilification law ensnares courts in political disputes.

  2. Alcohol Policy and the Politics of Moral Panic

    Luke Malpass | 26 May 2011 | Policy Monographs

    New Zealand’s proposed liquor legislation marks a return to old attitudes towards alcohol regulation that perversely believe,... Read More...

  3. Behind the Moral Curtain: The Politics of a Charter of Rights

    Elise Parham | 01 Feb 2010 | Policy Monographs

    Elise Parham argues that a federal charter of rights would be used by special interest groups as a powerful political tool.... Read More...

  4. BOOK REVIEW:The Henson Case

    Benjamin Hourigan | 03 Mar 2009 | POLICY Magazine

    The Henson Case by David Marr (Text Publishing, 2008).

  5. BOOK REVIEW: What Price Security? Taking Stock of Australia's Anti-terror Laws

    Greg Roebuck | 03 Mar 2007 | POLICY Magazine

    What Price Security? Taking Stock of Australia's Anti-Terror Laws by Andrew Lynch and George Williams (UNSW Press, 2006).

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Opinion & Commentary

  1. Liberals Drop Ball in Super Free-For-All

    Adam Creighton | 14 Nov 2011 | Australian Financial Review

    Lifting superannuation to 12% is wrong.... Read More

  2. Does gay marriage prove marriage matters?

    Rev Peter Kurti | 29 Sep 2011 | Online Opinion

    Gay couples dragging marriage back into vogue.... Read More

  3. Living together demands civility

    Jessica Brown | 19 Aug 2011 | The Canberra Times

    We should not rush to stifle public discussions on the off chance that an unhinged individual (whether politically motivated ... Read More

  4. Brits recoil from teaching respect for authority at home or school

    Peter Saunders | 15 Aug 2011 | The Australian

    Following last week's riots in Britain, politicians and commentators have similarly been asking the wrong question. What ... Read More

  5. Rights charter would empower only lobbyists

    Elise Parham | 04 Feb 2010 | The Australian

    A federal charter of rights would only empower special interest groups.... Read More

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Ideas@TheCentre

  1. Bolt tongue tied

    Adam Creighton | 30 Sep 2011

    The Federal Court’s verdict in the Andrew Bolt case for racial discriminatory comments regarding Aboriginal people is an ...

  2. Connect cyber with reality

    Rebecca Gill | 19 Aug 2011

    Suggestion of social media restrictions in the UK in times of turmoil....

  3. Stick it to ‘em

    Rev Peter Kurti | 12 Aug 2011

    Society’s lack of a moral compass led to the London riots....

  4. Evil handbag-waving Thatcher has nothing to do with it

    Brendan O'Neill | 12 Aug 2011

    It is a bit rich for those commentators who have been at the forefront of promoting insidious, patronising and spirit-killing ...

  5. Populist streak waters down NZ alcohol policy

    Luke Malpass | 27 May 2011

    New Zealand’s liberal liquor regime is under threat from ineffective policies based on dodgy data....

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