We brought the case of Doctors for Refugees Incorporated v the Commonwealth of Australia (2016) to the High Court of Australia, challenging new secrecy provisions in the Australian Border Force Act 2015 (Cth) on the grounds of unjustifiable burden on the freedom of political communication. Advocacy and lobbying alongside the case engaged a broad collaboration of legal, health and refugee advocates. In October 2016, an exemption was passed excluding health care professionals from the operation of the Act. Our clients pressed on with the case, and subsequently, the Commonwealth Government introduced and passed substantial reforms to the secrecy provisions under challenge, expanding the scope for communication on matters of political and social concern for all workers in immigration detention centre environments.

Latest news and updates

March 10, 2023
FLS joins calls for a Supervised Injecting Service in the CBD
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January 24, 2023
Fitzroy Legal Service joins in calls from Aboriginal, legal, and human rights organisations for the urgent reform of Victoria’s bail laws.
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October 13, 2022
Vale Uncle Jack
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October 22, 2021
Human Rights don’t stop at prison gates. It is time to end routine strip searching of people in prison!
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January 8, 2021
Peter Lynch – Law Handbook contributor
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February 18, 2021
Brian Wright – Law Handbook Contributor
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March 24, 2021
The Victorian Government Must End Its Harmful Obsession with Expanding Victoria’s Prison System
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