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 Robert McLelland
Dubbed the National Human Rights Consultation, people are being asked to give their views on how human rights and responsibilities should be protected in the future.
This includes discussion on a national Bill of Rights.
The Australian Council of Human Rights Agencies chair, Commissioner Susan Booth, said the consultation comes at a critical time for Australian human rights.
"The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is sixty years old today and this consultation gives Australians the chance to discuss how we protect fundamental rights in the twenty-first century," Ms Booth said.
Key questions to be considered are:
Which human rights and responsibilities should be protected and promoted?
Are human rights sufficiently protected and promoted?
How could Australia better protect and promote human rights?
Federal Attorney-General Robert McLelland said the time had come to “reflect on the effectiveness of our current system of human rights protections”.
“For many this means a discussion about whether or not Australia should adopt a national charter of rights,” McLelland said. “I expect there to be robust discussion both for and against a national charter. I would like to take this opportunity to encourage community consideration of a broad range of options for future human rights protection—not only a national charter of rights.”
Many Australian state government figures have already voiced strong objections to a national bill of rights. SA Attorney-General Michael Atkinson has been reported as saying a bill of rights would only benefit "criminals".
The Consultation is being run by an independent committee consisting of Father Frank Brennan (Chairperson), Mary Kostakidis, Mick Palmer and Tammy Williams.
At the end of the consultation process, a report will be handed to the federal government.
Readers can make submissions either online or by post. There will also be round-table discussions in major cities across Australia in the first half of 2009. The dates for the public meetings have yet to be announced.
To find out more and to share your views, visit the National Human Rights Consultation website: https://www.humanrightsconsultation.gov.au/
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