by Chris Merritt | Nov 10, 2023 | Chris Merritt, Commentary, Human Rights, Media Article, Rule of Law Issue
Five years ago, when Vic Alhadeff was chief executive of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, he led a long and successful campaign that should have been a body blow to those who incite racial and religious violence.That campaign persuaded the NSW government to introduce...
by Chris Merritt | Nov 3, 2023 | Chris Merritt, Human Rights, Media Article
What an amazing coincidence. Just as a parliamentary inquiry is considering whether Australia needs a federal charter of rights, a global report has identified a relative weakness in this country’s protection of fundamental rights. It would be a mistake, however, to...
by Chris Merritt | Oct 26, 2023 | Chris Merritt, Human Rights, Media Article, Rule of Law Issue
Victoria’s Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act is fast emerging as one of the greatest examples of legislative deception. It promised to introduce a new era of rights-respecting governance by forcing public authorities to act in ways that are compatible...
by Chris Merritt | Oct 19, 2023 | Chris Merritt, Media Article, The Voice: Uluru Statement
The voice referendum looks set to have an impact its proponents could never have imagined: equality of citizenship has been restored as the guiding principle of Indigenous affairs.It prevailed with ease over the patronising idea that Aborigines and Torres Islanders...
by Chris Merritt | Oct 13, 2023 | Chris Merritt, Freedom of Speech, Media Article
Those who wanted to hold a second anti-Israel rally in the streets of Sydney must be terribly disappointed. They have been denied permission to lawfully assemble and exercise their right to free speech. But for all true supporters of human rights, this is cause for...
by Chris Merritt | Sep 28, 2023 | Chris Merritt, Commentary, Media Article, The Voice: Uluru Statement
Noel Pearson did the nation a favour on Wednesday when he invoked the example of Dr Martin Luther King, one of the pathfinders for the American civil rights movement. Pearson told the National Press Club: “Let’s follow Dr King’s dream – that our children will...