Past Programs
Human Rights - 2008
Anti-terrorism laws
29/10/2008
Last week all terrorism-related charges against Jack Thomas have been dropped. The 35-year-old had been accused of receiving money from a terrorist organisation. And despite an ongoing vigorous defence of their case against Dr Mohamed Haneef, the AFP has been unable to bring charges against him.
A senate committee has recently recommended establishing an ongoing independent reviewer panel for our national security laws. Does the war on terrorism still justify the anti-terrorism laws, or are they leading to an erosion of civil liberties?
Zimbabwe: The future?
03/07/2008
There's growing international pressure on the Mugabe regime to accept a power sharing deal with the opposition Movement for Democratic Change. But will the ageing president give in to international criticism and could a coalition hold? How would it tackle Zimbabwe's massive social and economic problems? In the meantime, the United States is urging sanctions against the regime but what could they achieve and at what cost?
Keeping Tabs
11/06/2008
The federal government says safety is a priority in its plans to make nursing homes report all residents who go missing. Homes would be required to notify the department as well as the police when a resident is missing without explanation.
Minister for Ageing Justine Elliot is also looking at the use of medi-tag bracelets. The bracelet would be engraved with a symbol indicating the condition of its wearer, but the proposal could go further. GPS tracking devices are being looked at for people with Alzheimer's disease following a pilot program in Western Australia. In that study, satellite tracking and internet software were used by family members to keep tabs on dementia sufferers. So when do issues of personal safety overtake civil rights?
Indigenous intervention
02/04/2008
With the possibility that the Commonwealth intervention into Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory could be extended to other states, public opinion remains divided over the success of the policy. Yesterday the Social Justice Commissioner, Tom Calma, attacked the policy and released a Ten Point Social Justice Action Plan to pull back the NT intervention and restore what he refers to as basic human rights to Aborigines in the affected communities. Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin responded to his report by reiterating the Federal Government's commitment to a review of the intervention later this year, and adding that the Commissioner's views would be taken into account at that time. Meanwhile, yesterday Aboriginal leader and member of the Stolen Generations, Tracker Tilmouth called for a Royal Commission into the state of education in the Northern Territory.
Beijing Olympics
26/03/2008
The official countdown to the Beijing Olympics began with Tibetan protesters marching on the Olympic torch lighting ceremony. It was the latest effort by Tibet to raise international support to act against China in the lead-up to the Games. The US is now urging China to begin dialogue with Tibet's exiled Dalai Lama, and the French president is offering to act as a go-between. But the US and Europe continue to support the Beijing Games. Is a boycott warranted, and would it work?
