Victoria’s human rights framework can be activated to protect civic space.

We celebrate the freedoms won by those before us, yet condemn those fighting for change today. From the struggles that shaped our history to the growing restrictions on protest in Australia, this essay explores what happens when we forget how our rights were won, and why the freedom to gather, dissent and demand remains essential to our society.

When the wealthy and powerful use the courts to silence criticism, we all lose. My report examines how abusive legal proceedings threaten free speech in Australia and why we need stronger laws to protect people who speak out.