Access to justice
Media and commentary related to our work promoting access to justice issues, such as freedom of information and access to courts and tribunals.
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High Court declares government’s same-sex marriage vote lawful
The High Court of Australia has confirmed that the government’s decision to hold and fund the postal vote on same-sex marriage is lawful. PIAC represented Andrew Wilkie, Member for Denison, PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) and Felicity Marlowe, a mother in a same-sex relationship with three young children in a High Court…
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Same-sex marriage survey funded by ‘executive fiat’ is illegal
Public Interest Advocacy Centre CEO Jonathon Hunyor doesn’t usually like a media circus, but he can make an exception for the one surrounding the not-for-profit group’s challenge to the postal vote on same-sex marriage: it has got people talking about the Constitution and the nature of government power. ‘On Tuesday, a full bench of seven…
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High Court hearing in same-sex marriage postal vote challenge begins today
The High Court of Australia, sitting in Melbourne, will today begin hearing challenges to the government’s postal vote on same-sex marriage. The hearing is expected to take two days. The Public Interest Advocacy Centre and the Human Rights Law Centre are both seeking to stop the government proceeding with the postal vote on same-sex marriage.…
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Hearing tomorrow in High Court case to stop same-sex marriage postal vote
The High Court in Melbourne will tomorrow begin hearing cases brought by PIAC and the Human Rights Law Centre to stop the same-sex marriage postal vote. The hearing is expected to take two days. The Public Interest Advocacy Centre and the Human Rights Law Centre are both seeking to stop the government proceeding with the…
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Explainer: The High Court Marriage Equality Postal Survey Case
Who is bringing this case? There are two cases being heard at the same time. Both are trying to stop the postal vote concerning marriage equality from going ahead. The Public Interest Advocacy Centre is bringing a case (the Wilkie case) on behalf of Andrew Wilkie, the Independent member of Parliament for the Tasmanian electorate…
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Government agrees to wait for outcome of High Court challenge – listed for hearing 5-6 September
At a preliminary hearing in the High Court today, the government agreed that it will not post out any papers in the same-sex postal vote before 12 September, to allow this case to be heard. The case has been listed for an urgent hearing on 5-6 September, with further directions made by the Court for…
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Injunction to stop same sex marriage postal vote to be heard today
The High Court will this afternoon hear the interlocutory application for an injunction to stop any work taking place on the voluntary postal survey process. The Public Interest Advocacy Centre yesterday commenced proceedings in the High Court, seeking to stop the government proceeding with the postal vote on same sex marriage. PIAC is representing Andrew…
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Challenge to same-sex marriage postal vote filed in High Court
The Public Interest Advocacy Centre has today commenced proceedings in the High Court, seeking to stop the government proceeding with the postal vote on same sex marriage. PIAC is representing Andrew Wilkie, Member for Denison, PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) and Felicity Marlowe, a mother in a same-sex relationship with three young…
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Marriage equality postal vote to be challenged in high court by Andrew Wilkie and advocates
‘The Coalition’s plan to hold a voluntary postal vote on same-sex marriage will be challenged in the high court by Andrew Wilkie and marriage equality advocates. The challenge was announced on Wednesday by long-time LGBTI advocate, Rodney Croome, based on legal advice from QC Ron Merkel that the government has no power to order the…
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Same-sex marriage postal vote plan: Experts identify potential bias and legal issues
‘Supporters of same-sex marriage are still considering whether to go ahead with a High Court challenge to the legality of a postal vote. Their legal gurus are forming a view on whether the Government’s move to get the Australian Bureau of Statistics to conduct the poll, rather than the Electoral Commission, still presents major legal…