Who We Are

Reprieve Australia is the sister organisation of the British based charity, Reprieve (UK), and the US charity, Reprieve (US).  It draws its support from a broad base of members in Australia.

Volunteers

Reprieve Australia is staffed almost entirely by volunteers.  There are two major groups of volunteers:

• local volunteers, who work on discrete issues or campaigns or help administer Reprieve Australia
• overseas volunteers, who are sent to directly assist those facing the death penalty

Administration

The Executive Committee of Reprieve Australia administers the organisation and its key programs, and sets our priorities in line with the wishes of our members.  The Executive Committee is elected by Reprieve members at the Annual General Meeting.  Profiles of the current Committee members are available here.

Reprieve Australia's Executive Officer is responsible for a number of important day-to-day tasks.

Reprieve Australia History

Reprieve Australia was launched in Melbourne, Australia in May 2001 during Law Week.

The launch of Reprieve Australia was hosted by Victoria's Criminal Bar Association with key note speakers the Hon. Justice Michael Kirby AC CMG, Justice of the High Court of Australia and internationally acclaimed capital defence lawyer Clive Stafford Smith OBE.

The launch was attended by local representatives of  Amnesty, the International Commission of Jurists, Liberty Victoria and the Castan Centre for Human Rights.

Justice Kirby delivered an inspiring speech describing the history of the death penalty in Australia  and emphasising the need for members of the community, including lawyers, to become engaged in both the local and international community.

Clive Stafford Smith delivered a passionate and well reasoned condemnation of the death penalty, illustrated with stark examples of the operation of the death penalty in the United States.