The draft Anti-Terrorism Bill 2005    (published: 11/2005)

posted: 1/11/2005

Author(s): James Jupp (Australian National University) Category: Constitution/federalism; Rights; - Audit paper download At the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meeting on 27 September 2005 draft anti-terrorism legislation drawn up by the Howard Government was provided by the Prime Minister on an 'in confidence' basis and agreed in principle by State Premiers and Territory Chief Ministers.

COAG and the limits of parliamentary scrutiny    (published: 10/2005)

posted: 1/10/2005

Author(s): Linda Botterill (Australian Defence Force Academy) Category: Constitution/federalism; Accountability; - Audit paper download Linda Botterill examines the role of Council of Australian Governments (COAG) in the wake of the controversy over ACT Chief Minister Jon Stanhope’s publication of the Draft Anti-Terrorism Bill. She shows how the issue is a symptom of the way in which decision-making is becoming increasingly centralised through COAG and Premiers and Chief Ministers are committing their governments to action without first exposing policy to parliamentary scrutiny and debate.

Human rights and the use of national security information in civil proceedings    (published: 10/2005)

posted: 1/10/2005

Author(s): John von Doussa (Human Rightsand Equal Opportunity Commission) Category: Rights; - Audit paper download The Hon John von Doussa, President of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, considers the human rights implications of the recent amendments to the National Security Information Act 2004. He finds that the Act potentially compromises Australia's obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Whistleblowing and the media - transparency the biggest casualty    (published: 9/2005)

posted: 1/09/2005

Author(s): Helen Ester (Central Queensland University) Category: Media; Accountability; - Audit paper download Expanding on the issue of protection of sources, Helen Ester looks at a range of factors affecting the Press Gallery's role in public accountability. These include not only government pursuit of whistle-blowers but also a weak FOI regime making journalists overly dependent on leaks and a hollowing out of the press gallery, meaning many gallery journalists are relatively inexperienced.

Up, up & away in my beautiful balloon … some questions of media policy    (published: 9/2005)	posted: 1/09/2005
Author(s): Frank Morgan () Category: Media; - Audit paper download Frank Morgan responds to a recent speech by Senator Helen Coonan, Federal Minister for Communications, on proposals to change Australia’s media ownership laws. He discusses how new technology has changed the way we receive and digest news and information.

How effective has the United Nations Human Rights system been in promoting human rights observance by Australian governments?    (published: 8/2005)

posted: 1/08/2005

Author(s): Elizabeth Evatt () Category: Rights; NGOs/participation; - Audit paper download Elizabeth Evatt provides a synoptic overview of the varying degrees to which Australian governments have signed up to and implemented international human rights treaties. Justice Evatt identifies a range of issues arising from failure to respect the views and findings of independent treaty bodies, turning the Executive and the Parliament into the sole arbiters of compliance with human rights standards.

Revising constituency boundaries in the United States and Australia: It couldn't be more different    (published: 8/2005)

posted: 1/08/2005

Author(s): Richard Engstrom (University of New Orleans) Category: Incumbency benefits; Electoral; - Audit paper download Richard Engstrom provides a comparative analysis of the methods used to determine electoral boundaries in the United States and Australia. This paper provides a useful insight into the largely partisan nature of redistribution (redistricting) in the US and highlights the benefits of the more independent nature of Australian electoral commissions.

Theories for understanding government advertising in Australia    (published: 8/2005)

posted: 1/08/2005

Author(s): Sally Young (University of Melbourne) Category: Political Finance/Govt Advertising; Incumbency benefits; - Audit paper download In this paper, Sally Young assesses propaganda theory in relation to the current debate on the use and possible misuse of government advertising by incumbent Coalition and Labor parties. In particular, Dr Young comments on the relationship between governments, as major advertisers, and the editorial content of media outlets.

Police, civilians and democratic accountability     (published: 8/2005)	posted: 1/08/2005
Author(s): Colleen Lewis (Monash University) Category: Public service/statutory bodies; Accountability; - Audit paper download Colleen Lewis investigates the effectiveness of attempts around Australia to increase the public accountability of the police. Dr Lewis highlights the complex relationship between police and government and the reduction of judicial oversight under anti-terrorism laws.

Do Australians have equal protection against hate speech?    (published: 8/2005)

posted: 1/08/2005

Author(s): Simon Rice (Australian Lawyers for Human Rights) Category: Rights; Media; - Audit paper download Simon Rice examines the very different levels of protection against hate speech that exist in different Australian jurisdictions. He highlights Australia’s unfulfilled international obligation to legislate against religious vilification and the interesting stance adopted by the NSW government on the subject.

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