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Statement of Solidarity with Academics in Turkey
We, academics from the Castan Centre for Human Rights Law at Monash University, are deeply concerned about attacks on academic freedom in Turkey. In particular, we would like to express our support for the higher education community in Turkey following further infringements on university autonomy and dismissal of academics in January this year. A set…
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Arrests and uncertainty overseas show why Australia must legalise compensated surrogacy
By Paula Gerber Cambodia is the latest country in our region to ban commercial surrogacy. As happened when India, Thailand and Nepal introduced such bans, dozens of Australians are now extremely anxious because they have no idea what is going to happen to their babies who have recently been born or are on their way.…
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The plebiscite is dead, but the quest for marriage equality lives on
Paula Gerber, Monash University The same-sex marriage plebiscite bill has been on life support ever since Labor announced that it would not support a non-binding, non-compulsory national vote on whether same-sex couples should be allowed to marry. Last night, surrounded by many of its close friends and relatives, the decision was made to discontinue life…
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Government responses to terrorist threats: then and now
By Stephen Gray In recent years, governments have used public fear of violent extremism to justify draconian laws. Such laws are aimed, we are told, at radicalised young men prepared to commit horrific acts in pursuit of an other-worldly ideal – fanatics in the sway of a ‘death cult’, in Tony Abbott’s words. Have we…
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If not Manus, then what? Possible alternatives for asylum seekers and refugees in PNG
By: Maria O’Sullivan Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O’Neill announced on Wednesday that Australia’s offshore detention centre on Manus Island is to be closed. This decision follows the PNG Supreme Court’s landmark ruling that the detention of asylum seekers and recognised refugees in the processing centre is unconstitutional. The Australian government has not yet…
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‘Dollar Dave’ and the Reserve Bank: a tale of art, theft and human rights
By Stephen Gray This year marks the 50th anniversary of Changeover day: when Australia swapped from pounds to the new decmal currency. But the “C” in Changeover day might equally stand for Copyright day, for it marks the first Aboriginal copyright dispute. In February 1966, Adelaide’s Advertiser newspaper revealed that the Reserve Bank had not sought…
Castan Centre for Human Rights Law 