Australian Human Rights Bill
The Hon Anthony Albanese MP,
Prime Minister
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Dear Prime Minister and Attorney General,
Australian Human Rights Bill
The Queensland Council for Civil Liberties (QCCL) is very concerned that the Australian Government has not yet introduced into Parliament the abovementioned Bill despite the publication over 2 years ago by the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights of its report into its Inquiry into Australia's Human Rights Framework recommending that Australia enact a legislated federal Human Rights Act (HRA).
It is likely that a Bill proposing such legislation will be passed both in the House of Representatives and the Senate without any considerable delay, given that there is wide bi partisan support for the enactment of an HRA.
Australia is one of the few democracies in the world that does not have a national Human Rights Act. The enactment of an Australian Human Rights Act will incorporate many pertinent provisions of international human rights instruments including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) which Australia has ratified. The prompt enactment of an HRA will demonstrate that Australia is genuine in its commitment to promote, protect and uphold human rights not only internationally but also domestically. Furthermore it would appear from the experience of Australia’s state jurisdictions that have human rights legislation (Queensland, Victoria and the ACT) that they are practical tools which to a significant degree have enabled disadvantaged members of our community to improve their lives.
Greg Jones, who is a member of the executive of QCCL, is also a member of the ALP. He has brought to our attention that Party branches have passed resolutions calling for the party’s platform to be amended to support a Federal Human Rights Act
QCCL submits that there is widespread grass roots support for the enactment of an Australian Human Rights Act during the current term of your Government, not only by many ALP members but also many others in Australia. QCCL requests that your government prioritizes the introduction of a Human Rights Bill into Parliament. By doing so, the QCCL further submits, your Government will have played its part by providing practical measures which the vulnerable and disadvantaged in our society will be able to rely on in protecting their human rights.
QCCL understands that the Australian Government is currently dealing with a wide range of pressing matters both nationally and internationally, but the QCCL would be grateful if you could promptly consider the matters raised in this letter and acknowledge receipt of this letter and reply to us in due course.