[Greens-Media] Hanson-Young: All options should be on table for human rights consultation

[Clark, Gemma (Sen S. Hanson-Young)]

Wednesday 10 December 2008

All options should be on table for human rights consultation 

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has welcomed the Federal Government's
introduction of a National Human Rights Consultation, but says that a
bill of rights should be among the options considered.

Attorney-General Robert McClelland today, on the 60th anniversary of the
United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights, announced that
the consultation process would now commence, and be overseen by four
independent committee members.

"The Greens welcome the National Human Rights Consultation, as a long
overdue step for Australia to take," she said.

"We are currently the only democratic nation in the world without a
formal document enshrining human rights, and this must change as soon as
possible.

"It would require federal law-makers to consider and respect human
rights in the creation of legislation.

"Practices like locking children in detention, the introduction of
mandatory detention, and the NT Intervention would have all attracted
considerable scrutiny under such a document."

Senator Hanson-Young said that it was disappointing that the Federal
Government and its consultation committee had already ruled out a
constitutionally-based bill of rights.

"While the terms of reference provide for an examination of how
Australia can better protect and promote human rights, it is
disappointing that a bill of rights has been ruled out from discussion,"
she said.

"The process should not be so prescriptive from the outset.

"A bill of rights should be a model to be examined and debated as part
of a wide-ranging consultation."

Senator Hanson-Young said the Greens would follow the consultation
process with interest.

"This National Human Rights Consultation could be the first step in
Australia bettering its human rights record," she said.

"The Greens hope that there will be swift action on developing
Australia's human rights protections out of the consultation's
recommendations by the end of 2009."

Media contact: Gemma Clark on 0427 604 760