9 December 2008
Consultation a watershed opportunity to protect human rights in Australia
The President of the Australian Human Rights Commission, Catherine Branson QC, said the national consultation into human rights, announced by the federal Attorney-General tonight, was an important opportunity for Australians to give consideration to what these rights mean to them and whether their rights are adequately protected.
“Sixty years ago today the Universal Declaration of Human Rights came into existence, and Australia not only assisted in its drafting, but had earlier helped found the United Nations itself – so it is a matter of some surprise that, almost a decade into the 21st Century, human rights continue to remain inadequately protected in our own country,” President Branson said.
Ms Branson said she was particularly conscious that Australia is the only liberal democracy in the world without a charter or bill of rights.
“Our daily work at the Commission reveals laws and policies that inadequately protect rights, and every day we hear from individuals who feel that their rights have been breached.”
Ms Branson said the Commission will draw on its considerable expertise in the promotion and protection of human rights, not only to assist Australians to take part in the consultation, but also to make its own contribution to the consultation by proposing new strategies for improving human rights protection in Australia.
Human Rights Commissioner, Graeme Innes said, “The Commission will use this opportunity to establish people’s fears and desires in relation to human rights and to explain why we feel a better understanding of human rights will help us create a society of which we may be proud.”
“We will be working with all sectors of the community, including the federal government and public service, business leaders, community organisations and disadvantaged communities to discuss human rights and how they might be relevant to people’s everyday lives,” said Mr Innes.
President Branson congratulated the government on this watershed consultation about human rights and said the Commission urged as many people and organisations as possible to participate.
Information and materials about a charter of rights and how to participate in the national consultation are available on the Commission website at www.humanrights.gov.au/letstalkaboutrights
Media contact: Brinsley Marlay 02 9284 9656 or 0430 366 529
