In June 2010, the Tasmanian Attorney-General Lara Giddings announced that Tasmania would be undertaking an inquiry into enacting a State bill of rights. The government has released its timeline for the discussion paper, draft bill and consultation here. Stay tuned for more exact dates and how to make your submission to the Tasmanian government.
The Opposition has revealed how the budget would look if the Coalition is forms the next government after the upcoming election. Abbott has decided to axe the Australian Human Rights Framework, which will save him $18.3 million in spending, including $12 million towards important human rights education initiatives. The Australian Human Rights Group is strongly against these moves, particularly as the Opposition has failed to explain how it will protect human rights in the absence of the Framework. Read the AHRG’s media release here.
The Tasmanian Attorney-General has announced that Tasmania will be taking steps towards implementing a state Charter of Rights. Having completed its process of community consultation, the Tasmanian Government will now release a discussion paper to progress the Charter. The consultation showed strong support in Tasmania for a Charter of rights, with 94% of submissions supporting a human rights act.
The AHRG’s media release in response to the Tasmanian Attorney-General’s announcement is Tasmanian Charter AHRG media Release.
Although the government won’t be introducing a Human Rights Act this year, there is still hope. Submissions are open for the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Bill 2010. This Bill will create the Joint Committee on Human Rights, which will examine legislation for compatibility with Australia’s international human rights obligations. It will also inquire into matters relating to human rights referred to it by the Attorney-General.
In the absence of a Human Rights Act, every other mechanism towards supporting human rights is crucial. Make a submission supporting the Bill to secure an important protection for human rights in Australia.
Other submissions can be viewed here.
The Australian Human Rights Group (AHRG) is disappointed by the Rudd Government’s refusal to enact a national Human Rights Act. Although more human rights education and a new Parliamentary committee are small steps towards better protection of human rights, these moves are wholly inadequate without a federal Human Rights Act. Read the AHRG’s press release.
Also, see the official Media Release from the Attorney-General and the Human Rights Framework proposed for Australia in lieu of a charter of rights.
Read Geoff Gallop’s speech to the Human Rights Arts & Film Festival here. Gallop discusses the concept of HR and its indivisibility from responsibilities and gives a brief history of Australia’s experience with human rights, with the conclusion that our existing anti-discrimination laws are not enough to protect human rights and a charter of rights is needed.
Read a call by Philip Lynch, Director of the Human Rights Law Resource Centre, for Australia to unite and support a national charter of rights. Lynch’s article describes the historical bipartisan support that human rights have enjoyed in Australia, and shows that a Human Rights Act would not divide the population, as opponents have suggested.
Australian Policy Online has published an article by Susan Ryan AO on the current progress of the Human Rights Act. Read about why we need an alternate protector (other than Parliament) of our rights, particularly in face of violation of those rights by the government itself. Susan also addresses the suggestion that the charter is solely the work of the elite.
Phil Lynch, the Director of the Human Rights Law Resource Centre, has written a response to the latest claim of opponents to the Human Rights Act that the charter would be divisive and electorally unpopular. Lynch debunks the myths being spread by HRA opponents, showing that there is in fact widespread support for the charter and for increased human rights protection. In addition, the author displays that even controversial issues can ultimately have a uniting effect on the community. Read the article here.
Last night, Father Frank Brennan gave a comprehensive speech in response to George Pell’s comments on the proposed Human Rights Act (HRA). This address provides a balanced discussion of the freedom of religion, particularly in relation to Victorian laws on abortion and religious vilification. Brennan describes the wide variety of Christian views on the HRA and argues that the Church should promote human rights without opposing the Human Rights Act. Read the complete address here.