Here are some of the top human rights new stories from the past week -
Senior weapons training officer from Victoria Police tells inquest that tasers could ignite capsicum spray if used together:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/04/13/2871575.htm
Australia’s changing demographic means courts increasingly have to deal with cultural traditions which involve violence against women, according to New South Wales Chief Justice Jim Spigelman:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/04/16/2874376.htm
Tony Abbott’s office clarifies comments he made suggesting a permanent ban on asylum-seekers who arrive by boat being granted permanent residency:
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/politics/abbotts-office-plays-down-asylum-seeker-remarks/story-e6frgczf-1225854205067
Danish government concerned its position on Sri Lankan asylum-seekers is being misrepresented in Australia after Rudd government ministers wrongly claimed a “number of countries” had suspended refugee applications from Tamils:
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/politics/danes-deny-refugee-ban-on-tamils/story-e6frgczf-1225854288628
Immigration Department officials ordered to back off all non-essential visa checking as mainland detention centres are at risk of overflowing due to the constant transfer of asylum-seekers from Christmas Island:
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/politics/boat-crisis-forces-visa-raid-halt/story-e6frgczf-1225854305051
Australia should drop censorship plans, says US Ambassador to Australia in response to plans for mandatory internet filters to combat illegal online content:
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/australia-should-drop-filter-plan-us/story-e6frgakx-1225853103529
Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission releases its 2009 report on the operation of the Victorian Charter:
http://www.humanrightscommission.vic.gov.au/publications/charter%20reports/
Consultations begin on a national disability insurance scheme:
http://www.jennymacklin.fahcsia.gov.au/internet/jennymacklin.nsf/content/
jm_m_natioanldisabsupport_14april2010.doc.htm
The Federal Government welcomes a proposed enterprise agreement which will consider domestic violence as a workplace issue:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/04/15/2874065.htm
Workplace tribunal rules that workers cannot contract out their award right to be compensated for working overtime, even when they volunteer to work the hours to suit their personal circumstances:
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/workers-cant-sell-off-overtime-rights-tribunal-rules/story-e6frg8zx-1225854291706
City-based Indigenous drug and alcohol services receiving less funding per capita than their rural counterparts, according to an Australian National Council on Drugs report:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/04/13/2871204.htm
Federal government is paying three times more than necessary to rebuild derelict homes in the remote Northern Territory Aboriginal community of Willowra, according to a local government business manager:
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/housing-program-paying-too-much/story-e6frg6nf-1225854292895
