Your civil liberties

Civil liberty is defined as freedom from arbitrary interference in one’s pursuits by individuals or by government (most often used in the plural - civil liberties). Civil liberties are protected explicitly in the constitutions of many democratic countries, but not in Australia. 

Civil liberties may include the freedom of conscience, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, the right to security and liberty, freedom of speech, the right to privacy, the right to equal treatment under the law and due process, the right to a fair trial, and the right to life. Other civil liberties include the right to own property, the right to defend oneself, and the right to bodily integrity. 

NSW Council for Civil Liberties attempts to influence public debate and government policy on a range of civil liberties and human rights issues. We try to secure amendments to laws or changes in policy where civil liberties are not fully respected. We monitor and fight against infringement of these rights and liberties and the abuse of power by government, its agencies and others. We advocate strengthening democratic rights and liberties. 

Concerned about your civil liberties?

NSW Council for Civil Liberties is a volunteer run civil liberties organisation with limited resources. NSWCCL is not in a position to give legal advice on individual cases. We can suggest where further inquiries may be made, and we list several options below.

Our focus as an organisation is as an advocacy body. We undertake advocacy in the media and engage with government about civil liberties issues, but we do not undertake advocacy for individual complaints. To this end, we keep a record of civil liberties issues we receive from our members and the general public so we can monitor current and emerging civil liberties concerns in NSW. If you would like to advise us of an issue to add to our log, please email - [email protected].

For legal issues you could try the following organisations:

General support

Targeted support

Research NSW law 

  • Find Legal Answers.
  • Read The Law Handbook - The Law handbook is the single most important plain English guide to the law in NSW. It provides a practical guide to 40 legal topics/legal issues that affect people in everyday life.

* If you are in immediate danger, dial 000 (within Australia).

NSWCCL acknowledges that the land on which we operate and function is the traditional land of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation.

We pay our respects to the Elders, both past and present and acknowledge the Youth, the future leaders, in whose hands we hold our hope for a reconciled future.

Always was, always will be.

 

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