Author: Woman
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The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child: An Analysis
“Children’s rights” and “the best interests of the child” are constantly invoked in Australian debates about medical treatment of minors, parental authority, identity, adoption and surrogacy. They are less often read. The Convention on the Rights of the Child does not supply simple answers to these questions. It supplies a framework that has to be…
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Violence Against Women and Girls in the Context of Surrogacy (A/80/158): Analysis of the UN Report by Reem Alsalem
Introduction In July 2025, UN Special Rapporteur Reem Alsalem issued her thematic report The different manifestations of violence against women and girls in the context of surrogacy (A/80/158). She presented the report to the UN General Assembly Third Committee on 10 October 2025. The report does not treat surrogacy primarily as a family-building service in…
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Online Safety Act 2021 (Cth) — Detailed Analysis
Background, Purpose and Legislative Structure The Online Safety Act 2021 (Cth) is the principal Commonwealth statute establishing Australia’s regulatory framework for specified categories of online harm. It received Royal Assent on 23 July 2021. The bulk of its operative provisions commenced on 23 January 2022, replacing and expanding the framework previously contained in the Enhancing…
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AHPRA Responds to WSA’s Concerns About Regulation of Health Practitioners’ Social Media Speech
Following concerns raised by Women Speak Australia about the regulation of health practitioners’ social media activity, AHPRA has responded to WSA’s request for clarification. However, important questions about the practical limits of regulatory oversight and the protection of lawful public debate remain unanswered. Background In an article published on 18 June 2026, When Psychologists Need…
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Violence against Mothers (A/HRC/62/49): Analysis of the UN Report by Reem Alsalem
“A mother is a school. When society invests in it and supports mothers, it builds a nation of noble character.”— Hafez Ibrahim (Egyptian poet) Introduction In June 2026, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, Reem Alsalem, presented her thematic report Violence against Mothers (A/HRC/62/49) to the Human Rights Council. This…
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Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (Qld): Analysis of Sex, Gender Identity, Sexuality and Sex Characteristics
This analysis examines the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (Qld) (the Act) as currently in force, with particular attention to the protected attributes of sex, gender identity, sexuality and sex characteristics. Definitions (Schedule 1 – Dictionary) The Act does not define “sex”. Gender identity, of a person— (a) is the person’s internal and individual experience of gender,…
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Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic): Analysis of Sex, Gender Identity, Sexual Orientation and Sex Characteristics
This is a policy analysis of the key provisions in Victoria’s Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (the Act) relating to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, and sex characteristics. It draws on the current consolidated text of the Act (as at mid-2026), including amendments from 2021 that updated several definitions. Definitions (Section 4) The Act provides explicit…