By Alana Lazdins. The exhibition, ‘Protest! Archives from the University of Melbourne’, at Leigh Scott Gallery in The University of Melbourne’s Baillieu Library features photographs, written histories and a wide range of ephemera documenting student activism on campus during the 1960s–1970s. The exhibition locates student dissent as the catalyst and driving force behind multiple political […]
By Blue Mahy Literature adds to reality, it does not simply describe it. – C.S. Lewis I believe what C.S. Lewis meant is that literature has a symbiotic relationship with the “real” world. Literature takes from the real world but within literature is also the power to reshape it. This is not to say that […]
By Mohamad Tabbaa. This article is part of our February 2013 focus on Religion and Human Rights. “Why do Muslims hate freedom of speech?” This question is becoming increasingly common in many parts of the world, and has been raised recently in Australia in regards to the anti-Muslim film of 2012. It is now again […]
This is a follow up interview with Lisa Caripis, who Victoria Police to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal over their refusal to destroy surveillance footage of her taken at a peaceful protest in 2010. You can read the interviews with her before the trial here and just after the trial here. The Tribunal handed down […]
Earlier this year, five deaf writers presented Through Deaf Eyes at the Melbourne Writers Festival, a unique performance featuring deaf writers telling their stories in Auslan. Developed and directed by the deaf community, this groundbreaking work turns the tables and challenges the conventions, as Auslan interpreters translate this beautifully expressive language back to the audience. […]
By David Donaldson. This piece originally appeared on David’s blog here. Walking around inner-suburban Melbourne recently, I came across the latest Socialist Alternative poster, taped sturdily to a power pole outside a pub: “Why the left must support the Muslim protesters”. How ridiculous, I think to myself. I’m reminded of the argument Zionists like to throw at white […]
Luka Lesson is the current Australian Poetry Slam Champion and Co-director of The Centre for Poetics and Justice based in Melbourne. Luka has been active in utilising hip-hop and poetry as a form of self-determination and raising awareness for marginalised young people through community development projects for many years. He has also taught Indigenous Studies at […]
Offshore processing bill passes Senate The Senate has passed legislation which allows the offshore processing of asylum seekers who come to Australia by boat. The Government has said it is looking at getting the processing centres up and running on Nauru and Papua New Guinea’s Manus Island within a month. Gavin Marshall, a factional colleague […]
Samaya Chanthaphavong spoke to Christine Assange about government transparency, human rights and the possible extradition of her son, Julian Assange, to the United States of America. Right Now: Julian is seeking political asylum in Ecuador. Can you please explain to our readers why you think the Australian consular or governmental support has abandoned him, and […]
Lisa Caripis took Victoria Police to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal over their refusal to destroy surveillance footage of her taken at a peaceful protest in 2010. The hearing took place in mid-July. Right Now spoke to Lisa about the right to public protest, police surveillance and her feelings about the participating in the […]
Government fails on child rights The Australian Human Rights Commission has found that Australia’s treatment of suspected people smugglers who said that they were children has breached international human rights law in a report released on Friday. The report An age of uncertainty reveal that between 2008 and 2011 Australian authorities gave little consideration to […]
14 July 2012 Vulnerable young women subject to trafficking in Queensland mining towns According to the The Age, vulnerable young women from Southeast Asia are being trafficked for sex in booming mining towns in Queensland. Mount Isa police district Inspector Paul Biggin has said that women and girls who can speak minimal or no English, […]