[Greens-Media] Greens push Govt for progress on human rights in law

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

Monday 20 October 2008

Greens push Govt for progress on human rights in law

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young says the Rudd Government must advance
action on its Budget pledge to protect human rights in Australian law,
and ensure that all options to do so are fairly considered.

The May Budget allocated $2.8 million over two years for community
consultation in order to determine how best to recognise and protect
human rights in Australia.

"Again from the Rudd Government we have seen all talk, and no action,"
said Senator Hanson-Young at the Legal and Constitutional Affairs
Estimates hearing today. 

"$2.8 million has been pledged in funding, but it is clear from what the
Attorney-General's Department said today that the Government would
rather dodge questions as to what the process for this 'broad-based
community consultation' will be, or its terms of reference.

"No consultants have yet been contracted, and no human rights experts
have been formally engaged to date.

"While we have been regaled with promises, enshrining human rights in
Australian law is not sounding like much of a priority for the
Government. In fact, it's all sounding a bit hollow."

Senator Hanson-Young expressed concern over the Government's assertion
that outcomes of the consultation process would not be presupposed,
given that Labor has categorically ruled out enshrining a Bill of Rights
in Australia's Constitution.

"This pre-determined consultation does not look promising," she said.

"It's hard to believe that the Government would seriously consider
options that do not fit within Labor policy.

"This $2.8 million promise is shaping up to be a cheap veneer being
glossed over the noble cause of prioritising human rights."

Senator Hanson-Young said the Greens would keep a close eye on the
Government's progress on human rights consultation.

"The Greens will continue to keep tabs on the Government's timeframes
and delivery of details on this supposed Budget priority," she said.

"It is nothing less than human rights that we are talking about here,
after all."

Contact: Gemma Clark on 0427 604 760