Australia

News on Australia

Australian High Court Declares Regional Marriage Equality (Same Sex) Act As Of No Effect

London, 18 December 2013

On 12 December 2013, the High Court of Australia issued its judgment in The Commonwealth v Australian Capital Territory, a case relating to the status of the Marriage Equality (Same Sex) Act 2013, a regional law enacted in October 2013 which permitted same-sex marriage in the Australian Capital Territories (ACT). As was expected, the High Court found that the Act was inconsistent with federal law on marriage, which defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman. 

ERT Condemns Australia's Retrogressive and Inhumane Refugee Policy
London, 6 August 2013
 
Today, The Equal Rights Trust wrote to Australian Prime Minister Hon Kevin Rudd MP, with regard to the announcement of the ‘Regional Settlement Arrangement’ under which Australia signed agreements with Papua New Guinea (PNG) on 19 July and Nauru on 3 August.
 
Anti-Discrimination Bill 2012 Shelved by Australian Government

London, 26 March 2013

Australian Senate Committee Adopts Key ERT Recommendation on Religious Exceptions
London, 27 February 2013 
 
On 21 February 2013, the Australian Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs (the Committee) published its report on the Draft Anti-Discrimination and Human Rights Bill 2012 (the Draft Bill), marking an important step in Australia’s progress towards enacting comprehensive anti-discrimination law. The Equal Rights Trust (ERT) welcomes this step, and the Committee’s decision to adopt a key ERT recommendation on reducing the scope of religious exemptions.
Federal Court of Australia Finds that Offensive Publications Breached Racial Discrimination Act

London, 12 October 2011  

On 28 September 2011, the Federal Court of Australia issued its judgment in Eatock v Bolt [2011] FCA 1103, a case brought under the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 against the author and publisher of allegedly offensive newspaper articles.