Members' Discussion Meetings

Members are always welcome at our discussion meetings, which are advertised in the newsletter, Victorian Humanist, and held on the second Sunday of the month at 11 a.m., enquiries ph. 9857 8318.

Typical subjects of discussion are submissions on public issues, and you can have your say to good effect. Bring a plate of food and join in lunch afterwards.

HSV Submissions List

An important activity of HSV is the making of submissions to various responsible bodies, communicating the Humanist view on social issues and policies, as formulated by the members at specially convened discussion meetings. Usually it is in response to public calls for submissions, sometimes our members provide the impetus. HSV has been doing this work since at least 1982. This is a list of our submissions of recent years.

Abbreviations used
ABCAustralian Broadcasting Commission
AMAAustralian Medical Association
ASIOAustralian Security Intelligence Organisation
ATSIAboriginal and Torres Straits Islander
CAHSCouncil of Australian Humanist Societies
GTECGene Technology Ethics Committee
HRHouse of Representatives, Australian Parliament
LCLegislative Council (State Parliament)
NHMRCNational Health and Medical Research Council
YearTopicRecipientCommonwealth(A) or State
2006 Humanitarian program 2006-7 Dept Immigration A
  Use of RU486 Members of parliament A
  Ethical principles for gene technology GTEC Secretariat A
  Ethical conduct in human research NHMRC A
  Ethics in organ donation after death NHMRC A
  Equity of access to education Min. Education, Science & Training A
  Ethics of living tissue/organs donation NHMRC A
  Stem cell research: Lockhart review Community Affairs Ctee A
  Chaplains in government schools Min. Education A
2005 Ethical guidelines in biotechnology 1 Dept Human Services V
  Humanitarian program 2005-6 Dept Immigration & c. A
  ATSIC Amendment Bill 2004 Select Committee, Senate A
  Corporal punishment of children Law Reform Commission V
  Ethics of research on humans NHMRC A
  Ethical guidelines in biotechnology 2 Dept Human Services V
  Review of education laws in Victoria Minister for Education & Training V
  Human rights charter for Victoria Human Rights Consultation Committee V
  ASIO Amendment Act 2005 Premier, Attorney-General V
  Ethics in gene technology Dept Human Services V
  Anti-Terrorism Bill 2005 (supplementary) Legal & Constitutional Legislation Ctee, Senate A
  Victorian Human Rights Charter recommendations Dept Justice V
2004 Humanitarian program 2004-5 Dept Immigration & c. A
  Ethical aspects of xeno-transplantation Health Ethics Section, NHMRC A
  Victorian Aboriginal justice agreement Dept Justice V
  Administration of Aboriginal Affairs Select Committee, Senate A
  Civil Union & Relationship Bill Justice & Electoral Committee NZ
  Commercial confidentiality in government Attorney General A
2003 Humanitarian program 2003-4 Dept Immigration A
  Ethics in stem cell propagation Dept Human Services V
  National health privacy code Aust. Health Ministers Council A
  ASIO powers Bill Legal & Constitutional Committee, Senate A
  Human Rights Commision Bill Legal & Constitutional Committee, Senate A
  The growing rich/poor divide Community Affairs Legislation Committee, Senate A
  Census 2006 Australian Bureau of Statistics A
  Tertiary education funding & equity of access Minister for Education A
  Changes to Medicare Select Committee on Medicare, Senate A
  Definition of a charity Board of Taxation A
  Rights of same-sex couples Prime Minister A
  MedicarePLUS proposals Select Committee on Medicare, Senate A
  Senate reform (S 57, Constitution) Dept Prime Minister & Cabinet A
2002 Migration & humanitarian program Dept Immigration A
  Religion, diversity & social cohesion Aust. Multicultural Foundation A
  Revision of ethical issues in organ donation NHMRC A
  Higher education review Dept Education, Science & Training A
  Oaths & affirmations in court Parliament V
  Issues of Aging Standing Committee on Aging, HR A
  Cloning & stem cell research Legislation Committee, Senate A
  Funding for Radio Australia Chairman, ABC A
  Aboriginal health research guidelines NHMRC A
2001 Definition of charities & c. Dept Treasury A
  Racial & religious tolerance legislation Dept Premier & Cabinet V
  Victorian youth strategy Dept Education, Employment & Training V
  National privacy guidelines Privacy Commissioner A
  Ethical guidelines on assisted reproductive technology NHMRC A
2000 The stolen generation Legal & Constitutional References Committee, Senate A
  New South Wales Bill of rights Committee on Law & Justice, LC NSW
  Responsible gaming Dept Treasury & Finance V
  Interim report on welfare reform Reference Group on Welfare Reform A
  Northern Territory mandatory jailing Office of Chief Minister NT
  Safe injecting facilities Dept Human Services V
  Health records Bill Dept Human Services V
  Essential services Essential Services Commission V
  Availability of RU-486 Minister for Health A
  Asylum seekers Prime Minister, Minister for Immigration A
1999 Freedom of religion & belief Human Rights Subcommittee, HR A
  Independence & integrity of ABC Office of Prime Minister A
  Inquiry into human cloning Committee on Legal & Constitutional Affairs, HR A
  Declaration & strategies for reconciliation Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation A
  Welfare reform review Dept Family & Community Services A
1998 Census 2001 (via CAHS) A
  Youth homelessness Dept Prime Minister & Cabinet A
  Research on human subjects I Aust. Health Ethics Committee A
  Research on human subjects II Aust. Health Ethics Committee A
1997 Suicide prevention Suicide Prevention Task Force V
  Right to believe Human Rights Commissioner A
  South Australia voluntary euthanasia Bill Parliamentary Select Committee on Voluntary Euthanasia SA
  Native Title (Wik) Joint Parliamentary Committee on Wik A
  Aboriginal reconciliation Minister for ATSI Affairs A
  Constitutional convention on republic Dept Prime Minister & Cabinet A
1996 Homeless youth Prime Minister A
  Portrayal of violence Dept Communications & Arts A
  Organ retrieval and donation Aust. Ministers Advisory Council A
  Adult and community education Committee on Education & Training, Senate A
  Draft guidelines on assisted reproductive technology Aust. Health Ethics Committee A
  Review of ABC Mansfield Inquiry on ABC A
  Voluntary euthanasia and abortion Minister for Health & Family Services A
  Sentencing Community Council Against Violence V
  Euthanasia laws Bill Legal & Constitutional Legislation Committee, Senate A
  Research on human subjects Aust. Health Ethics Committee A
1995 World population conference, Cairo Sen. Nick Bolkus A
  Workforce of the future Standing Committee on Long-term Strategies, HR A
  Schools of the future, Victoria Minister for Education A
  Medical assistance in voluntary euthanasia President, AMA -
  Illicit drug use in Victoria Drug Advisory Council V