.. writes Richard Ackland in the May 9 Sydney Morning Herald.
Contact your local politican and ask when the NSW government will conduct community consultation to promote wider understanding about a charter of rights for NSW.
The Bar Council has resolved to recommend the adoption of a Charter of Rights for NSW. The council has approved a number of principles which are intended to form a basis for further public debate and discussion on human rights protections in this state.
For details see: http://www.nswbar.asn.au/circulars/charter_rights_bc.php
From Glebe Books
Wednesday March 12, 6.30 for 7pm
BERNADETTE BRENNAN
Just Words: Australian authors writing for justice
Panel: Bernadette Brennan, Frank Brennan, Peter Manning Chair: Justice MICHAEL KIRBY
This distinguished panel will discuss: Can words make Australia a better place? Can writing help to inform a collective national consciousness? Over the past decade Australians have witnessed a significant shift to more insular and conservative economic, ethical and cultural norms. The problems of valuing and achieving justice seem more acute than ever, yet the solutions to those problems are not obvious nor are those in power taking the lead. In this powerful collection, Australian writers explore the relationship between writing and justice, a relationship utterly dependent on informed, ethical readers.
Events: $10/$7 conc. gleeclub welcome
Launches: free
Bookings for both essential
Phone the shop on 9660 2333
Or go to gleebooks.com.au/events
A function organised by the Sydney Institute:
Speaker: NSW Attorney General and Minister for Justice, The Hon. John Hatzistergos MLC
Date: Thursday 10 April 2008
Time: 5.30 for 6.00pm
Venue: NSW State Parliament House Theatrette, Macquarie Street, Sydney
Cost: $10 or $5 for students
Bookings: from 28 March only
Contact: The Sydney Institute on 9252.3366 or mail@thesydneyinstitute.com.au
Tasmanian Inquiry recommends Charter of RIghts for Tasmania
In October 2007, the Tasmania Law Reform Institute completed its
report on a Charter of Rights For Tasmania. The Institute concludes
in its report that Tasmania should introduce a Charter of Human
Rights. The recommendation is for a broad charter protecting
economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights. For more
information about the report and to download an electronic copy, go
to: http://www.law.utas.edu.au/reform/
The WA State Government has welcomed the findings of a report into how Western Australia could develop laws to protect the human rights of its people.
In her eNEWS bulletin No. 366 dated Friday 28 September 2007, The Lord Mayor of Sydney, The Hon. Clover Moore said:
HUMAN RIGHTS PROTECTION FOR NSW
Australia is the only democratic nation in the world without a legal human rights instrument. Although human rights atrocities are not common, there is a growing feeling that civil rights are being eroded, particularly in response to anti-terrorism laws and the APEC summit.
In Parliament I promoted the NSW Charter Group’s call for public consultation like Victoria and the ACT did before developing Human Rights Charters, to determine what we consider are our basic human rights.
A Charter could provide Parliament with a tool to review the impact of proposed legislation on human rights, ensuring informed decisions. Unlike an American Bill of Rights, which is entrenched in the constitution, Parliament could amend the Charter as community values
change.
As the representative of a socially and culturally diverse inner city electorate, I have long worked to protect human rights, including the rights of Indigenous and gay, lesbian, transgender and bisexual citizens. The City is examining the development of a Charter of Human Rights to complement our City’s Social Policy. Such a Charter would be
developed through community consultation and could include recognition of Indigenous Australians, valuing all people, consultation and participation, diversity, social development, equitable access for everyone, and fair and integrated decisions.
The threat of terrorism has resulted in the abandonment of a number of fundamental principles in the name of protecting our safety. Without a human rights legal instrument there is no guarantee that other rights will not be traded in the name of security. I called on
the NSW Government to grasp the opportunity to assess community support for a Charter of Human Rights.
Does Australia need a Bill of Rights? Paper presented by the Hon Michael McHugh AO QC, former Justice of the High Court of Australia, on 8 August 2007 to members of the NSW Bar Association.
“The debate about an Australian Bill of Rights can no longer be considered simply an academic or abstract debate in a country that already boasts an exemplary human rights record. In light of current deficiencies it is, instead, increasingly becoming a debate that holds great practical significance for all Australians.”
Just when it seemed safe to be openly proud of Australia, the cultural cringers are at it again. This time we need to be ashamed of ourselves because Australia does not have a bill of rights.
Philip Ruddock’s response to the Geoffrey Robinson article in the Sydney Morning Herald, 31 August 2007: Bills of rights do not protect freedoms
New Matilda comment on these comments
NOTE: It is the position of the NSW Charter Group that the question of human rights protection should be the subject of an open, effective and independent consultation with the community. When considering the scope of such a consultation, the NSW Charter Group seeks consultation on both what rights should be protected and how they should be protected. While this is not the same as putting the question to an election, in which many other issues will influence voters, it does seek to give the community an informed and genuine say in the process of developing the appropriate model of human rights protection.
“Australia needs a bill of rights to to reclaim its gold medal reputation for free speech and human rights”, according to acclaimed media lawyer Geoffrey Robertson. “Free speech has become expensive speech” he said in an interview ahead of an address in Sydney to an audience including the heads of Australia’s major media and legal firms. “Bill of Rights” Article in the Sydney Morning Herald on-line 28 August 2007.