Tag: human rights
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Reflecting on the International Transgender Day of Visibility
By Axel-Nathaniel Rose Content warning: discussion of transphobia It was the International Transgender Day of Visibility three weeks ago, and since then I’ve been thinking a lot about what it means to be ‘visible’ as a transgender person, now and through history. I’ve also been thinking a lot about hygiene. In people, places, and things,…
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Left Vs. Right: The Racial Discrimination Act (The Left)
If Tim Wilson is to be believed, the most pressing human rights issue in Australia today is the lack of freedom to “offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate” someone on the basis of their “race, colour or national or ethnic origin”. This refers to section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act, which Mr Wilson, our new…
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Left Vs. Right: The Racial Discrimination Act (The Right)
The federal government’s proposed changes to the Racial Discrimination Act have fostered an animated and polarising debate. The importance of this discussion should not be understated. It is a question of freedom of speech. This fundamental principle is one of the key differentiating factors of any healthy democracy. So it is critical we do not…
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A Man Like Luai
A Man Like Luai by University of Melbourne student Ellena Savage is the winner of the Tharunka Non-Fiction Writing Competition 2012. Tharunka would like to thank the judges Lisa Pryor, Jason Whittaker and Matthew Thompson. It is May, 2009. A cold, clear night; frost will set over the tips of lawns before dawn. I wait…
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Just Like Katrina: The Northern Territory Solution hits Bankstown
Since it was implemented in late 2007 under the Howard government, the Northern Territory Emergency Response (NTER) has provoked nothing but polarisation and vitriolic responses from both sides of the political divide. From states’ rights advocates to international human rights activists, finding an interest group apathetic to this scheme and its political implications is incredibly difficult.
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Spotlight on UNSW: Michael Kirby
This year, Tharunka continues with its interview series “Spotlight on UNSW,” where we speak to outstanding and inspiring members of the UNSW community. In our first spotlight, Cameron McPhedran spoke with the Honorable Michael Kirby. A High Court Justice for thirteen years and winner of the Gruber Justice Prize in 2010, Justice Kirby is a…