Paul Farrell reports in The Guardian (23.2.16) on the findings of a report from the Human Rights Law Centre:
‘The report looks at the state of democracy in Australia at a time when parts of civil society are being impeded by broad state and federal laws.
‘Attacks on whistleblowers and press freedom, curbing peaceful protest, sidelining courts and limiting advocacy by community organisations all point to a decline in basic rights that must be arrested, said the executive director, Hugh de Kretser. It also takes aim at the government’s use of “financial levers” on advocacy groups to stifle criticism.’
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