HISTORIC WIN FOR WOMEN / Abortion is no longer a crime in NSW

NSW Parliament has passed historic laws decriminalising abortion. Women in New South Wales will finally have the freedom to decide what is right for their bodies without fear of criminal prosecution. Sydney Legal Director Edwina MacDonald says, "This reform is a massive step forward for women’s health and equality in New South Wales."

RAISE THE AGE / Dujuan has a powerful message everyone should hear

Twelve year old Dujuan, an Arrernte Garrwa child from central Australia, gave a heartfelt speech at the UN Human Rights Council. Dujuan, who is the star of the acclaimed documentary In My Blood It Runs, travelled to the UN in Geneva with his family to build support for Aboriginal-led education and share his experiences with the Australian youth justice system.

You can watch Dujuan's speech on our website.

LANDMARK GUIDELINE / UN says children under 16 should not be sent to prison

The expert UN Child Rights Committee has recommended member states change their laws to ensure that children under the age of 16 years "may not legally be deprived of their liberty". Currently in Australia, children as young as 10 can be arrested, charged with an offence, hauled before a court, locked away in prison and deprived of their liberty and ultimately their wellbeing.

ELECTION SPENDING / Cap on election spending needed to restore democracy

Leading civil society groups say caps on election spending are vital to restoring democracy and achieving greater political equality. Lawyer Alice Drury says, “Without spending caps, our election debates are dominated by those with the biggest bank balance, not those with the best ideas."

WORKER'S RIGHTS / Union busting bill damages workers’ freedom of association

The Morrison Government’s plan to impose drastic new regulations on unions is unnecessary, unreasonable and will undermine workers’ ability to stand together. Legal Director Emily Howie says, "Good politicians would be strengthening workers’ rights to stand together. Instead this law seems to be primarily aimed at hampering the ability of working people to collectively organise and bargain through their union."

MEDEVAC / Independent report shows Medevac laws working as intended

A new report by the Independent Health Advice Panel shows that the Medevac laws, which allow independent Australian doctors to recommend medical transfers for seriously ill people detained offshore, are working. Executive Director Hugh de Kretser says, "This report proves that the Medevac legislation is working as intended and exposes the Prime Minister’s baseless hysteria when opposing the laws."

JUSTICE FOR TANYA DAY / Family of Tanya Day mark end of the inquest into their mother's death in police custody

The Day Family read a powerful statement to mark the end of the coronial inquest into Tanya Day's death in police custody. They said, "We just gave evidence in a coronial inquest into our mother’s death in police custody. No children should have to do this. Our mum should have never been subject to racial discrimination and denied her dignity and right to life."

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