National Human Rights Consultation Public Hearings

The National Human Rights Consultation is running public hearings next week from 1-3 July (inclusive) at Parliament House in Canberra.

The Consultation website has just been updated allowing people to register. According to the Secretariat, it’s likely that spaces will go quickly, so if you’re interested in attending, please register as soon as you can.

 The basic outline of the hearings will be as follows:

Day 1 (1 July): How are human rights presently protected in Australia? (Here the Committee will hear from marginalised groups, and those speaking on ‘hot button’ issues emerging from the Consultation eg. same-sex marriage, religious discrimination etc)

Day 2 (2 July): What difference would a Charter make? (A range of high profile international and domestic speakers with perspectives for against or for a charter)

Day 3 (3 July): How else could we better protect human rights and promote responsibilities in Australia? (A range of high profile domestic speakers to explore options for protecting and promoting human rights other than a charter).

Susan Ryan, HRAAC Chair, will be participating in these hearings, presenting the pro case (along with other notable supporters) agains a range of contras, led by Bob Carr. Speaking notes.