Synopses & Reviews
A fascinating look at the history of civil liberties in Australia, this account offers a solid background to key civil liberties cases and a fresh analysis of the common law, human rights, and parliamentary democracy. From arguments over censorship in the 1930s to present-day debates on mandatory sentencing, the concept of civil liberties and its impact are discussed, tracing the formation of the Australian Council for Civil Liberties and its state-based counterparts as well as chronicling their involvement in the movement for law reform. Through major Australian historic events, this book demonstrates how the nation has been shaped by civil liberties.
Review
"A vivid portrait of the history of civil liberties in Australia. It reminds us that concern for civil liberties has long been an issue in Australian public life, enriching the ideal of a ‘fair go for all." —Hilary Charlesworth AM, director, Center for International Governance and Justice at Australia's National University
About the Author
Stuart Macintyre is the Ernest Scott Professor of History and a laureate professor at the University of Melbourne. He is the author of A Concise History of Australia and volume four of The Oxford History of Australia. James Waghorne is a fellow in the School of Historical Studies at the University of Melbourne. He is currently working on a commissioned history of the Australian Institute of Judicial Administration.