PIAC conducts litigation on a broad range of public interest issues.
We take on cases that have an impact beyond the individual client and can benefit the wider community, particularly disadvantaged sectors of the community.
Our work includes advice and representation in test cases, representative or class actions and intervening or appearing as amicus curiae (‘friend of the court’) in cases that raise significant public interest issues.
In recent years PIAC has undertaken litigation in relation to human rights, deaths in custody, consumer protection, discrimination, police conduct and other government actions that impact upon disadvantaged groups in the community.
Case summaries
High Court challenge: same-sex marriage postal survey
Audible on-train announcements
Arbitrary detention: Joanne Darcy
Disability discrimination: air travel
Homosexual vilification: Laws, Price & 2UE
Indefinite immigration detention
Children in migration detention
Advertising by legal practitioners
Same-sex discrimination: foster parents
Disability discrimination: Sydney Olympic Games ticketing
Scarlett Finney v Hills Grammar School
Asbestos exposure – Baryulgil mine
Sex discrimination: Port Kembla Steelworks
Chelmsford: deep sleep tragedy
Arthur Austin’s challenge to electricity costs