Events
The Challenges of Law Reform
In Conversation with Fiona Patten MLC and Sarah Schwartz
Watch our webinar
On 7 November 2022, we held a forum to discuss the challenges of law reform with Fiona Patten MLC and Sarah Schwartz, Principal Lawyer of the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service facilitated by Michael Stanton, President of Liberty Victoria.
About the speakers
Fiona Patten MLC has been a champion of evidence driven legislative reform over her time in Parliament. Over this period she has taken the lead on many projects where Liberty Victoria's Rights Advocacy Project has published reports and shaped the debate in the public arena - most notably spent conviction reform. She has been active in many other policy areas including illicit drug reform, the emergence of far-right extremism, sex work decriminalisation and voluntary euthanasia to name only a few.
Sarah Schwartz is the Principal Lawyer of the Wirraway, Police and Prison Accountability Practice at the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service where she represents clients, and conducts advocacy, in the areas of police accountability, the rights of people in prison and coronial inquests into Aboriginal deaths in custody. At VALS, Sarah has acted in the Inquest into the passing of Veronica Nelson and the Victorian Court of Appeal prison rights case, Thompson v Minogue. Sarah also leads projects on the healthcare rights of people in prison and the criminalisation of Aboriginal young people in state care. Sarah completed a Master of Laws at Harvard University on a John Monash Scholarship, focusing on policing, prisons and community lawyering. Sarah is also a Lecturer and Honorary Fellow at Melbourne Law School. Sarah has previously worked at the Public Interest Advocacy Centre, Legal Aid NSW, and for the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of NSW.
Police Panopticon: Zooming in on the Use of Body Worn Cameras by Victoria Police Officers
On Tuesday 26 July 2022, Liberty Victoria’s Rights Advocacy Project (RAP) will launch its report ‘Police Panopticon: Zooming in on the Use of Body Worn Cameras by Victoria Police Officers’.
The Victorian rollout of body worn cameras (BWCs) to all frontline police officers was completed in 2019, with claims that the devices deter police misconduct and increase transparency. However, a lack of specific legislation and external oversight on police use of BWCs means the ability of the technology to operate as an accountability mechanism is compromised.
This report identifies three critical areas related to police use of BWCs - activation, disclosure and enforcement - and outlines recommendations for legislative reform.
A Policy for Equality: Painful Periods as a Workplace Issue
On Thursday 10 March 2022, Liberty Victoria’s Rights Advocacy Project (RAP) will launch its report, A Policy for Equality: Painful Periods as a Workplace Issue. The Report shines a spotlight on the discriminatory and non-inclusive treatment of people who menstruate at work, and the social and economic advantages of changing the current approach.
The Report proposes reforms to the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) and provides policy templates to be implemented by individual organisations and public authorities.
RAP believes it is only a matter of time until menstrual leave and appropriate flexible working arrangements are offered in Australian workplaces. All we need to do is recognise the legal, social, psychological and economic benefits that introducing such arrangements in the workplace can bring - for both employees and employers.
Panellists include:
Kate Marshall, the Assistant State Secretary of the Health and Community Services Union (HACSU), a Victorian union supporting over 10,000 members working in mental health, disability, and drug and alcohol services. Recently, the HACSU launched its Reproductive Health and Wellbeing Leave campaign. This is one of the first menstrual-related leave campaigns in Australia’s history.
Gemma Cafarella, a Barrister who practices in public law, including discrimination and sexual harassment matters. Gemma is the Chair of Liberty Victoria’s Government Regulation and Equality Committee, and a Supervisor for RAP. Gemma also has endometriosis and adenomyosis.
Mary Crooks, the Executive Director of the Victorian Women’s Trust (VWT), a research and advocacy organisation focused on equality for women, girls and gender diverse people. The VWT was one of Australia’s first employers to introduce paid menstrual leave and flexible working arrangements. It also advocates for the wider adoption of similar policies. Mary has overseen the research and publication of About Bloody Time: The menstrual revolution we have to have (2019) and Ourselves at Work: Creating positive menstrual culture in your workplace (2021).
RAP 2022-2023 Program Info Night
Interested in applying for the RAP 2022-2023 Program? Join us for this second info night to hear more about the program and opportunities.
RAP 2022-2023 Program Info Night
Interested in applying for the RAP 2022-2023 Program? Join us for this info night to hear more about the program and opportunities.
Limbo
Liberty Victoria's Rights Advocacy Project is fundraising to continue the RAP program into 2022 and to support the launch of the incredible advocacy research projects being undertaken over the past two years.
RAP Celebration
This is an invitation for all RAP program participants and supporters to join us in celebrating the significant contribution that our RAP volunteers have achieved over the past 2 years.
Online Silent Auction
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.