Letter to Anthony Albanese re National Human Rights Act

Mr Anthony Albanese

Leader of the Opposition and Member for Grayndler

Dear Sir,

National Human Rights Act

The Queensland Council for Civil Liberties strongly supports the commitment in Labor’s national platform to review the Human Rights Framework established by previous Labor governments and consider whether it could be enhanced through a statutory charter of human rights or other similar instrument. 

Upholding all human rights through a single instrument that is applied consistently, drawing on a single codified set of human rights, is the best way to create a society that is sustainable,  and enjoys the most possible liberties and freedoms. I am writing to impress on you the need to commit to that review in the first hundred days of the next Labor government as a catalyst to reform Australia’s commitment to social justice.  

Government will need the trust of Australians to deliver that commitment.

Trust starts with accountability. Our future economic, social and environmental health will depend on the legal and political architecture in place to ensure Governments acts for everyone when spending our money, and to ensure individuals have the chance to hold Government to account for decisions that affect their lives. 

A Human Rights Act (HRA) will help manage societal risks as Australia changes and show that Government can be humane to the powerless and accountable to individuals for the consequences of its decisions. 

 Please do not let this opportunity pass Australia by.