Human Rights and Justice

The public gagging of David Hicks should be ended and Howard's heavy-handed anti-terrorism laws reviewed, according to Australian Greens Attorney General Spokesperson, Senator Scott Ludlam.

Former Guantanamo Bay detainee David Hicks today told members of online lobby group, Get Up that he is fearful a new control

The Australian Greens today condemned the Government's move to commence welfare quarantining trials in Cannington and the Kimberley in Western Australia.

The Greens have asked the Liberal and Labor parties to permit their senators to exercise a conscience vote when a move to allow same-sex marriage comes before the Senate today.

The Australian Greens today reiterated their position supporting reinstatement of the permit system in the Northern Territory, stating the need to place control back into the hands of the communities.

"Reinstating the permit system will be one step on the right path to enabling Indigenous communities to manage their own lands," said Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert.

Moeller immigration case not isolated in disability discrimination

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has reiterated the Greens' call for an
overhaul of discriminatory attitudes and practices against people with
disabilities within the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.

Senator Hanson-Young spoke out after a family was denied permanent

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young says a decision to reject a German family's application for permanent residency because their son has a disability should be overturned.

Dr Bernhard Moeller, working in Victoria on a temporary 457 visa, was told his 13-year-old son Lukas, who has Down syndrome, presented a burden to the Australian health system and so the family was refused permanent residency.

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has today, on the 30th anniversary of
the annual Reclaim the Night campaign in Australia, called on the
Federal Government to sign a key international agreement to protect
women's rights.

Australia is yet to sign the Optional Protocol to the United Nations'
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has lent support to comments by a
former human rights commissioner, backing his calls for more
investigation into Australia's treatment of asylum seekers.

Dr Sev Ozdowski, the former head of the Human Rights and Equal
Opportunity Commission, has recommended deeper investigation into

Thursday 30th October 2008

The Australian Greens today called for caution in rolling out the NT
Intervention to areas such as the Kimberley, instead pushing for
continued funding with a more community based focus.

"While we definitely need to address the long term underinvestment in
Indigenous communities, what is needed is an evidence based approach

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has reiterated the need for a Royal Commission into the treatment of refugees and asylum seekers, after reports of overseas executions of people denied asylum in Australia.