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About Mark Sneddon

Mark Sneddon is the Executive Director of the Institute for Civil Society, a social policy think tank based in Melbourne.

NT’s proposed changes to Anti-Discrimination Law are a bad move for freedoms

Our society is made up of lots of different groups with different views on what makes for a good life. Atheist and religious. CLP and Labor. Socialists and capitalists. Gay and straight. AFL and NRL. Darwin Buffaloes and Southern Districts Crocs supporters. Having a diversity of groups with a diversity of views is a sign

By | May 30th, 2018|Freedom of Association|

EVENT: Mark Sneddon Public Lecture on Proposed NT Laws – Undermining Freedoms

You are invited to a public meeting to hear Mark Sneddon speak on the proposed changes to the NT Anti-Discrimination Act and potential undermining of freedom of speech, freedom of association and freedom of religion. Location: Charles Darwin University Mal Nairn Lecture Theatre Date: 30th May, 2018 Time: 19:30-21:30

By | May 21st, 2018|Freedom of Conscience and Religion|

The Unknowns of Assisted Dying

Mark Sneddon & Simon Kennedy, in The Spectator. "Donald Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense during the administration of George W. Bush, famously spoke of different kinds of knowns and unknowns. He was speaking of military intelligence, and about what informs decision-making at a strategic level. The same kind of talk could be used for public policy. With

By | November 25th, 2017|Freedom of Conscience and Religion|

Religion and Human Rights: Mark Sneddon on Open House

"The result of the marriage survey, with its consequent change to the law, has opened up the question of religious freedom in Australia. The issue is never too far from the surface, but people disagree about whether and how to protect freedom of religion. Australia is a signatory to international covenants that guarantee freedom of

By | November 21st, 2017|Freedom of Conscience and Religion|

Postal Survey says YES – Legislating for Same Sex Marriage and Protecting Everyone’s Freedoms

 ICS Executive Director, Mark Sneddon, responds to the SSM survey results: A PDF version can be found here. Australians have spoken clearly in the same sex marriage postal survey. 61.6% of those who voted are in favour of same sex marriage. That is a clear mandate and the Parliament should legislate for same sex marriage.

By | November 17th, 2017|Freedom of Conscience and Religion|

Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2017: ICS Submission to Parliamentary Committee

The Institute for Civil Society has made a submission to the Victorian Parliament's Scrutiny of Acts and Regulations Committee regarding the Andrews Government's Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill. A PDF version can be accessed here.   Statement of Compatibility on the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2017   12 October 2017 Ms Lizzie Blandthorn MP Scrutiny of Acts

By | October 12th, 2017|Freedom of Conscience and Religion, Freedom of Expression|

Flawed assisted dying bill puts vulnerable people at risk

Mark Sneddon and Sharon Rodrick published in The Age on Victoria's Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2017.  Victoria’s Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2017 provides a regime for a person to request the prescribing of lethal drugs which can be self-administered by the person (i.e. assisted suicide) or in some circumstances administered by a health practitioner (i.e.

By | October 12th, 2017|Freedom of Conscience and Religion|

Freedoms Protection and Same Sex Marriage – Video Explainers by Freedom for Faith

"I don't think we have to speculate. All we have to do is look at the countries where same-sex marriage has been brought in." - Prof. Iain Benson "It's not possible for a politician to promise that there will be no changes." - Prof. Janet Epp-Buckingham Besides the ICS publications on this topic, a series of short

By | September 29th, 2017|Freedom of Conscience and Religion|

The Same Sex Marriage Survey: Legal Issues and the Need for Broad Based Freedoms Protections

Executive Summary This paper outlines some of the implications of same sex marriage. One of these is the accelerated legal and cultural damage to freedom of speech, conscience and religion for those who support traditional marriage. That issue is not just about forcing ministers to conduct weddings or bakers to bake cakes for same sex

By | September 19th, 2017|Freedom of Conscience and Religion|