As you may be aware the National Human Rights Consultation Committee is finally making its way up to the NT in the next few weeks to talk to Territorians about their rights and their experiences.

The Consultation Committee is going around the country talking to any and all about human rights in Australia. They are tasked to report to the Government in September on three main questions:

• Which human rights should be protected and promoted?
• Are these human rights currently sufficiently protected and promoted?
• How could Australia better protect and promote human rights?

These are pretty big, sometimes confusing questions, but that shouldn't scare people off. In our view the best thing that we can do to inform the Committee (and their report) is to encourage people to go along to the consultations, or contact the Committee in writing or by email / phone, and tell their stories.

The Committee will be going to the following centres at times/dates listed:

Darwin
1 June 2009 - 12pm-2pm, and 6pm-8pm

Katherine
3 June 2009 - 12pm-2pm

Yirrkala
4 June 2009 - 11am-1pm

Wadeye
4 June 2009 - 12pm-2pm

Nhulunbuy (Gove)
4 June 2009 - 5pm-7pm

Maningrida
5 June 2009 - 1pm-3pm

Alice Springs
9 June 2009 - 6pm-8pm

Tennant Creek
10 June 2009 - 12pm-2pm

Further details re venue, terms of reference and so on can be found on the Consultation website at: http://www.humanrightsconsultation.gov.au/

This is not just a discussion about a "bill of rights" and big constitutional issues; this is also about what is happening to people in their everyday lives, how their rights are respected, how they are denied, and what we should be doing about that.

If you or your organisation is interested in making a submission to the Committee you must do so by 15 June 2009.

There are various websites that provide some helpful debate and information about the issues (some are listed below), but again, real stories and experiences are hard to beat!

http://www.hrlrc.org.au/content/topics/national-human-rights-consultation/materials-and-resources/

http://www.amnesty.org.au/yourhumanrights/

http://www.gtcentre.unsw.edu.au/projects_partners/projects/cohr/index.asp

http://www.getup.org.au/campaign/rights/407

http://www.pilch.org.au/human_rights_consultation/

http://www.humanrights.gov.au/letstalkaboutrights/index.html

There has been 'material previously circulated' about the Federal Court fast tracking procedures. Justice Mansfield will be delivering a CPD on Thursday 25 June 2009. Practitioners practicing in the jurisdiction will need to get fully across this.

The Northern Territory's Alcohol Ignition Lock Program and its legislative base are shortly to commence, aimed at increasing safety on NT roads. Please see below, courtesy information regarding the laws and the Program

• L16 - When an Alcohol Ignition Lock Period is Ordered by the Court
• L14 - Northern Territory Alcohol Ignition Lock (AIL) Program and How it Affects You
• L12 - Northern Territory Alcohol Ignition Lock (AIL) Program Important Information
• Northern Territory Alcohol Ignition Lock Laws (Presentation - Legal Practitioners)
• Northern Territory Alcohol Ignition Lock Program (Presentation - AIL operation)

The Information Bulletins are also available from the Motor Vehicle Registry website: http://www.nt.gov.au/transport/mvr/ail/index.shtml

A presentation can also be delivered by phone link or in person in Darwin. Please contact Stephen Whitesmith on 8999 3130, if you would like a briefing.