Posts Tagged australian government
Australian Law Reform Commission: Game Industry Should Self-Regulate
Posted by Metro in Uncategorized on March 9, 2012
The Australian Law Reform Commission is proposing a voluntary system where only games with a rating of MA15+ content or above would have to be classified by the Australian government. the Commission also suggested that all classification ratings for various forms of entertainment should become consistent across all forms of media. that is the conclusion of the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) Classification-Content Regulation and Convergent Media report that was commissioned late last year by Federal Attorney-General Robert McClelland.
"We're not proposing changes to the class categories themselves, because there was significant opposition to the new categories we proposed," ALRC review chairman Terry Flew told GameSpot AU. "the existing categories have only been in place for a while, and it was agreed that the existing classification categories are well understood in the community, and that further research needed to be done before putting in new categories."
The report also recommends looking at international classification systems such as the ESRB in the US and PEGI in the UK to redevelop Australia's own classification scheme in the area of video games, as well as recommending that classification should become a national responsibility (currently Australian states and territories bear that responsibility).
The full report is available here. the gist of it is that the government should let industry self-regulate content below a certain ratings level because having the government do it would cost the general public money.
Source: Gamespot
Australian Law Reform Commission: Game Industry Should Self-Regulate
Lawyers Urge Australian Government to Speak Out Over Papuan
Posted by Metro in Uncategorized on February 28, 2012
Thursday, 2 February 2012, 11:18 am Press Release: West Papua Media Alerts
Human Rights Law Centre and International Lawyers forWest PapuaThe Australian Government’ssilence on human rights abuses in the region has once againbeen put in the spotlight, with the Human Rights Law Centre(HRLC) and International Lawyers for West Papua (ILWP)urging the Foreign Minister to speak up in defence of basicrights such as freedom of expression andassembly.
Criminal trials have commenced this week inJayapura, against five Papuan political activists chargedwith criminal offenses following their involvement in lastyear’s peaceful assembly at the Third Papuan People’sCongress. the activists were among the hundreds of peoplearrested after Indonesian police and military forcibly shutdown the gathering, killing at least three people andinjuring approximately 90 others.
HRLC spokesperson, TomClarke, said the fundamental rights of all persons tofreedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association areprotected by International Covenant on Civil and PoliticalRights – which Indonesia ratified in 2006.
“Thesefundamental human rights must be recognised and respected byIndonesia. the exercise of such democratic rights andfreedoms must be protected by law, notcriminalised.
“Australia’s UN Security Council bidpitches us as a ‘principled advocate of human rights forall’. This is a prime opportunity for the Foreign Ministerto take a principled stand against human rights abuses onour doorstep,” mr Clarke said.
The Papuan activists,Forkorus Yaboisembut, Edison Waromi, August Makbrowen Senay,Dominikus Sorabut and Selpius Bobii, are facing charges oftreason in a region where people may be imprisoned forsimply raising the West Papuan ‘Morning Star’flag.
ILWP’s Jennifer Robinson called on the AustralianGovernment to use its unique relationship with Indonesia toencourage the authorities to demonstrate their respect forhuman rights by dropping charges against the fiveactivists.
“These trials should stop immediately, andAustralia should do everything it can to help that happen.the prosecution of activists for peacefully expressing theirpolitical views has no place in a modern democracy. TheAustralian Foreign Minister, his department and embassystaff in Indonesia should make it very clear that theAustralian Government firmly supports human rights andfreedom of expression in the region,” Ms Robinsonsaid.
Ms Robinson also called on the Australian Governmentto deploy embassy staff to observe the legal proceedings forthe purpose of ensuring that the protesters receive a fairtrial.
The trial is scheduled to resume on Wednesday 8February.
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International students the winners in Australian visa program revamp
Posted by Metro in Uncategorized on January 13, 2012
International students will benefit from streamlined Australian visa processes, more flexible work entitlements and a suite of other improvements as a result of the recent Knight Review into Australia’s student visa program. The review submitted 41 recommendations to the Australian Government, all of which have been accepted. From the international students’ perspective, seven are key recommendations which will make the process of obtaining an Australian student visa easier and faster.
International education is very important to Australia. it is one of Australia’s largest industries, with an income of AUD16.4 billion in 2010 -11. it is also a strong contributor to Australia’s international relations through the creation of links with international students who return home with new friendships and an understanding of the Australian lifestyle, culture and values.
To ensure Australia’s international education sector continues to grow, in December 2010, the Australian Government appointed the Honourable Michael Knight AO to review Australia’s student visa program. The report was submitted to the government on 30 June 2011 and includes 41 recommendations. The Australian immigration department has accepted all 41 recommendations, and plans to implement most of them within a timeframe that allows key recommendations to come into effect before second semester 2012.
From a student’s perspective, there are seven key recommendations, which have the combined effect of making the process of obtaining an Australian visa easier and faster.
1. New genuine temporary entrant criterion
The government plans to introduce a new temporary entrant criterion to the Australian immigration requirements for all student visa applicants. this criterion will not add to visa application or documentary evidence requirements, but will enable DIAC to better assess whether an applicant’s main goal is to stay in Australia temporarily to study, then return home. mr Knight stated strongly that this new criterion should be the first to be considered in assessing any application for a student visa, while his second recommendation was that a successful applicant must be both a genuine temporary entrant and a genuine student.
The benefit of this new criterion is that it will make possible other changes to the Australian immigration process for students, such as streamlined visa process and the reduction of financial requirements.
2. Reducing the financial requirements for some student visa applicants
The proposal to reduce financial requirements will be particularly beneficial to students in the higher Assessment Levels, as it will reduce their financial requirements by as much as AUD36,000.this is because when the change becomes effective, they will need to produce evidence of only 24 months funds, rather than 36 months, and for cash deposits will only need a three months savings history, down from the current six months.this change is scheduled to commence in late 2011.
3. Streamlined visa processing
The government plans to introduce streamlined visa processing for international students enrolled in Bachelor or certain higher degree courses. this change will reduce visa processing times, and means that all students will be treated as though they are lower risk.it is planned to implement this change during the first half of 2012.
4. Post-study work visa
The government plans to introduce a new post-study work visa for university graduates in Bachelors, Masters and PhD courses.this visa will become effective in early 2013.it will be valid for up to four years, and will enable the visa holder to work in any occupation they choose – they will not have to work in a job related to their course of study, unless they wish to.The intent of the visa is to enable international graduates of Australian universities to gain a period of practical work experience in Australia.
5. Improved work entitlements
From early 2012, the government plans to give added flexibility to student visa holders and their employers, by changing the work restriction on student visas from 20 hours per week to 40 hours a fortnight.
6. Higher degree by research students
The government plans to make it more attractive for international higher degree by research students to study in Australia, by:
- Streamlined processing of their visas
- Allowing them to access a three or four year post-study work visa
- Providing them with unlimited work rights during study and
- Increasing the validity of their visa by six months for the purpose of interactive marking of their thesis.
7. Improvements for current visa holders
The government has announced it will revoke the automatic and mandatory cancellation provisions of student visas. this is to provide a fairer outcome for international students, by allowing DIAC decision makers to take individual circumstances into account when considering whether or not a student visa should be cancelled.
Further information about the review and recommendations, as well as other resources for international students can be accessed by clicking here.
McGrath Migration Lawyers is Australia’s longest established immigration law firm, opened in 1983 by Principal Lawyer and Registered Migration Agent, Chris McGrath LLB, MARN 0533437. Our goal is to make the Australian immigration process as speedy, smooth and economical as possible for our clients and with 30 years continuous experience in Australian visas and immigration law, we’re ideally placed to do so. Contact us today for honest, professional advice about all your Australian visa and citizenship requirements.
International students the winners in Australian visa program revamp
Sea Shepherd: Australian Anti-Whaling Activists Detained by Japanese
Posted by Metro in Uncategorized on January 11, 2012
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A spokesman for Forest Rescue Australia told AAP: “That was the plan all along that they would go on board and be on a hunger strike. what is making it difficult is that Simon has high cholesterol and does not have his medication with him. Glen also has ADHD and didn't bring his medication with him either.”
Glenn Inwood, spokesman for the Japanese whaling program at the Institute of Cetacean Research, told the Australian newspaper: “They are unhurt and they are being well looked after.”
He also told ABC radio, “Not only are they facing [a long time on board the vessel], but they risk being taken to Japan to be tried for trespassing, or for other charges.”
Geoffrey Tuxworth’s father, Errol, is pleading with the Australian government to help free his son.
“We've been trying to talk to the Government but we can't really do anything more for him,” he told local media.
A group of about four dozen people have gathered outside the Japanese consulate in western Australia to express their support for the detained men.
However there appears to be very little Australian authorities can do to free the men.
Australia’s Attorney-General Nicola Roxon has warned that since the three men willfully broke the law by boarding the ship they will have to face consequences of their actions.
“If people do take action — take the law into their own hands — the rules that apply are sometimes ones that you can't as a government change. There will be consequences and in this case it is very unlikely that Australian law will apply,” she told Australian television.
“We are doing all we can diplomatically to ensure that these three Australian men can be released quickly and properly and to make sure that they are being held in conditions that are appropriate.”
Roxon added that Australian government officials are in talks with their Japanese counterparts.
“We have had a number of interactions with the Japanese government, particularly through our embassy in Tokyo,” she told ABC radio.
Meanwhile, the leader of the Sea Shepherd organization, Paul Watson, told media that the men should be freed since the boarding took plane within Australia's 24-mile contiguous zone, where Australian laws could apply.
“It disturbs me that the Attorney-General says it was outside Australian zone,” Watson said. “Both vessels have GPS and I expect that she will be very embarrassed when the truth comes out. I think [Roxon] is a coward, it is absolutely incredible she's not doing more to help these Australian citizens.”
Watson also told Australian television: “I think the Australian government would be very embarrassed if an armed Japanese vessel can just pick up Australian citizens in Australia and then take them away to Japan. I'd like the Australian Government to do its job and uphold international law. they have done nothing. the Australian Government should do everything in its power to get them off that ship. I think it's their obligation to protect the interests of their own citizens.”
Watson added: “Japanese vessels have no right to take prisoners in Australian waters.”
However, Donald Rothwell, an international law expert from Australian National University, said the three activists could be in deep trouble.
“If the Japanese authorities decide to investigate and bring charges on these grounds, the Australians will find themselves being sent to Japan to face court,” he told media.
“Second, Australian law may [even] have been broken by the unauthorized boarding.”
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has demanded that the government free the three men.
“The Australian government helps Australians in trouble, including Australians that have got themselves into trouble,'' he said in a statement.
“I think it's just the standard duty of government to do what it can for Australians in trouble overseas and obviously these guys fall into that category.''
Greg Hunt, the Opposition environment spokesman , similarly blasted the government’s response.
“They [the Australian government] should immediately dispatch a Customs vessel,” he said. “They should also seek the immediate transfer of the prisoners from the Japanese ship to Australian authorities.”
Members of the Australian Greens demanded that Prime Minister Julia Gillard personality intercede to release the three men.
“The protesters have acted as a direct result of our own government's failure to take the necessary steps to end illegal whaling in the Southern Ocean,” Greens Senator Rachel Siewert said.
The issue of whaling presents a diplomatic stand-off between Japan and Australia.
In 1986, the International Whaling Commission banned commercial whaling but allowed Japan to catch a limited number of whales under the aegis of “scientific research.”
Since that time Japanese whaling ships have frequently been followed and harassed by environmentalists from both Australian and new Zealand.
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Sea Shepherd: Australian Anti-Whaling Activists Detained by Japanese
Victorian Mansor Almaribe appeals 500 lash sentence in Saudi Arabia
Posted by Metro in Uncategorized on December 29, 2011
A VICTORIAN man facing 500 lashes in a Saudi Arabian jail has lodged an appeal against his sentence.
Mansor Almaribe’s desperate family are pleading with the Australian Government to help speed the appeal process to bring the father of five home.
Son Isaam Almaribe, 21, said yesterday a lawyer had been appointed and had begun an appeal that would defer the penalty until the court process was finalised.
"I think it will be OK, because my Dad is not guilty, and he is not in a good health condition," Mr Almaribe said.
The family fears a flogging would be fatal.
Mr Almaribe, a Shi’ite Muslim, was detained last month while praying in the Sunni-dominated country while making the Hajj pilgrimage to Medina. He was sentenced to a year in jail and 500 lashes for blasphemy.
The lawyer was appointed after a meeting with the Saudi ambassador.
Isaam said the government was helping but wanted to see it do more.
"we just need them to be more predictive and speed things up – I just want dad home as soon as possible," he said.
"This is the first time in the last five years on new Year’s Eve that we have not celebrated together it’s a bit sad."
Foreign Affairs Minister Kevin Rudd has raised the case with his Saudi counterpart, Prince Turki bin Mohammed Al-Kabeer.
A consular officer is expected to visit Mr Almaribe in jail in Medina.
devica@heraldsun.com.au
Victorian Mansor Almaribe appeals 500 lash sentence in Saudi Arabia
