2009

On proposed National Security Legislation Amendments 2009

We made the following main points to the Federal Attorney-General.

* We support the aim to correct the draconian measures introduced by the previous government.

* We complained about the inadequate time allowed to examine the new proposals. * We asked that the changes are consistent with our human rights commitments as signatories to international covenants, particularly in view of the regrettable absence of a Bill of Rights in this country.

* We urge an education campaign be run on acceptable social behaviour.

* The crime of urging violence should also protect individuals sexual orientation as well as the stated race, religion, national origin, political allegiance.

* We support the removal of the crime of sedition as it violates the right to free speech.

* We urge that Control Orders and Preventative Detention Orders be removed for they violate the presumption of innocence, a hallmark of civilised jurisdiction. A detained person must be given the right to contact a lawyer and inform the family of their detention.

* We strongly oppose the extension of police powers to search premises without a warrant. In case of emergency, as stated, permit should be sought from authorities immediately after the event.

* The proposed penalty of ten years jail for terrorist hoax offence requires further clauses that would exclude, for example, a schoolboy making a bomb threat to his school.

Geoff Allshorn & Kate Oldaker

On the lack of affordable housing

We stressed the importance of more spending on public and social housing to ensure people have secure and decent accommodation. Points to State and Federal ministers:

* We deplored the lack of affordable housing for those who are homeless, at risk of becoming homeless, have a disability, receive a pension or are on a low income.

* We suggested that the money allocated for rent assistance could be better spent as it has proved inflationary and negative gearing has gone to the top end of the market.

* We pointed out that approx. 250,000 rental units are needed but current spending will only provide 20,000.

* We noted $750 million has been diverted away from public housing, by the Federal government.

Jean Brown

 

Anti Discrimination Exemptions

State Attorney General, Rob Hulls, has announced religious bodies will be able to continue to discriminate against people whose marital status, life beliefs or sexual inclination they disapprove of.

The following letter was sent to him on behalf of HSV. Members are urged to make similar protests to their local embers of parliament.

The Humanist Society of Victoria enthusiastically supported the enactment of the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities. We are also on record, repeatedly, in support of racial and religious tolerance, of educational campaigns to foster respect for different lifestyles and to reject bigotry.

We regard the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as a key document of international, civilized standards.

We therefore write to express our dismay at the permission to discriminate against some groups and individuals granted by this State to conservative and fundamentalist religious groups. We fail to see the rationale of this decision; it pre-empts and ignores a Parliamentary committee report on this subject, which is due to be presented shortly.

Progressive religious groups are gradually eliminating their gross discriminations. Indeed, some of their leaders, such as Dr Muriel Porter (The Age, 30 September 2009) and Bishop John McIntyre (The Age, 29 September 2009), have written strong criticism of these violations of the equal rights and opportunities ideal.

As it is, the conservative churches practise open defiance of gender equity laws –– the Equal Opportunity Act and the Sex Discrimination Act 1984. Pru Goward, the former Sex Discrimination Commissioner, called these churches ““a huge, law-free zone”” inspite of being recipients of generous subsidies from the public purse. This permission to discriminate is wrong for the following reasons.

1. It violates our commitment to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other human rights covenants to which our nation is a signatory.

2. It condones abuses of human rights practiced in the name of religion.

3. It creates different classes of human rights for different people within the Australian community.

4. It is a retrograde step in efforts to foster a cohesive society with equal opportunities for all.

We strongly urge the government to rescind this decision.

Yours sincerely,

Stephen Stuart (president)

 

To the Inquiry into Suicide in Australia

… by a Senate Committee we made the following main points and recommendations.

Suicide should be openly acknowledged, confronted as an issue of mental and medical health, and programs of self-empowerment for high risk groups.

The high rate of suicide among males deserve special methods of prevention.(we listed several initiatives).

The recently published alarming rates of suicide among Indigenous people –– 40% higher than the national average –– require culturally sensitive remedies such as the programs introduced in the Gove Peninsula in the Northern Territory .

Gay and lesbian (bisexual, transgender and intersex) young people are among high-risk groups, due to their social stigma and invisibility created by pervasive homophobia of our society. Such prejudice, like racism and xenophobia, can lead to grave consequences and should be countered in a vigorous educational

campaign for schools and the general community.

The high incidence of suicide among older persons – twice that of the general rate – is mostly due to the fear of suffering an undignified death in the absence of legal assistance by physicians. We stress the need for such legal means for death with dignity.

We comment on the need for teachers to be alert to symptoms of depression or self-harm. Of recent concern are the suicides as a result of bullying in schools including cyber -bullying. We ask that            laws be enacted to criminalise such activities, similar to sanctions imposed for hate incitements. We suggest that the internet be used to promote positive attitudes and behaviour.

Geoff Allshorn & Halina Strnad