A Bill of Rights...? Good or
Bad...?
Various lobby groups and political parties are advocating for a Bill
of Rights in Australia.
National
Consultation
The Rudd federal Labor government is
planning to conduct a 'national consultation' with a view to implementing a
'Bill of Rights'. The recent 2020 Summit supported a national 'Bill of Rights'.
But who was there? 118 members of Get Up! attended!
Already commentators are concerned at the way the
'Consultation' might be conducted, fearing the government may set the
guidelines to LEAD to a recommendation calling for a Bill of Rights.
'Make
bill of rights debate open to all'
The Australian, 25
April 2008.
7. Labor will initiate a public inquiry about how
best to recognise and protect the human rights and freedoms
enjoyed by all Australians.
8. These inalienable rights also carry with them a
responsibility to respect the individual and collective rights enjoyed by
others and the need to protect and promote institutions and practices
fundamental to an equal, just, democratic and tolerant society.
9. Labor will establish a process of consultation
which will ensure that all Australians will be given the chance to have their
say on this important question for our democracy. Labor will engage with
Australians in deciding which democratic, industrial and
community rights recognised in international treaties and conventions ratified
by Australia should be protected. Any proposal for
legislative change in this area must maintain sovereignty of the Parliament
and shall not be based on the United States Bill of Rights. [emphasis added -
Comment: they 'will' be protected, just a question of how and which rights...]
Our
view
Our considered view is that a Bill of Rights would undermine our Christian
heritage and freedoms. Our rights are God-given not to be given (and taken away)
by the State.
We have opposed
the introduction of similar laws in the ACT and Victoria (now passed into law)
and a recent proposal in WA.
Numerous socialist countries have Bills of Rights - and it does not make them
free!
Groups and people
OPPOSING a Bill of Rights
Bob Carr
Bob Carr, the
former Premier of NSW, opposes a Bill of Rights, saying it will give more power
to unelected judges and increase litigation.
Since the ALP is planning to
conduct a national consultation on a Bill of Rights, it was surprising to see
the ALP circulate Bob Carr's article by email!
Lawyers
are already drunk with power
The Australian , 24 April 2008.
Philip
Ruddock
In September 2007 the then federal Attorney General Philip Ruddock wrote an article in the
Sydney Morning Herald opposing a Bill of Rights.
Bills
of rights do not protect freedoms
SMH, 31 August 2007. Philip
Ruddock.
"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. Forget the fact
Australia
is one of the
world's oldest and most successful liberal democracies. Forget the fact bills of
rights did nothing for enslaved African Americans or those persecuted in
Stalinist Russia. No, we need a bill of rights to "keep up" with the rest of
the world. . ."
Groups advocating FOR a Bill of
Rights
New
Matilda
A campaign
for a Human Rights Act for Australia.
This group is actively
campaigning for a Bill of Rights/Human Rights Act.
Geoffrey Robertson
Only a Bill of
Rights will do|
Robertson writes calling
for a Bill of Rights.
ABC, Thurs Aug 30, 2007
Courts
'becoming irrelevant' without bill of rights
Report on Geoffrey
Robertson's call for a Bill of Rights.
ABC, Wed
Aug 29, 2007
Prof George
Williams
Prof Williams was the person appointed by the
Victorian government to investigate whether Victoria should have a Charter
of Rights.
Was that independent? NO! He had already written extensively
calling for such Charters... and is continuing to do so...
Reform
a national priority
Courier Mail, George Williams, December 26,
2006.
Who
best protects rights: legislatures or the courts? Implications for the bill of
rights debate: The case for a role for the judiciary
Paper given
at International Conference
Legislatures and the Protection of Human
Rights
Melbourne, 20-22 July 2006
Finally,
Australia's First Bill Of Rights
George Williams, Australian
Financial Review, 12 March 2004.
Attorney-General
Robert McClelland
Back in 2002, Mr McClelland was openly
supporting a Bill of Rights:
The Rights Thing
To Do? Towards an Australian Bill of Rights
Austlii, Bill of
Rights Conference. 21 June 2002.
Time
For A Bill Of Rights Debate
Shadow Attorney-General
Robert McClelland, Media Statement - 25 August 2000.
Even back then
he supported a call for a Bill of Rights and said "The ALP national
conference recently endorsed an amendment to the Platform committing Labor to
implement a legislative
charter of rights and aspirations."
The States
Victoria and the ACT have Charters of Human
Rights....
The following webpages have information
and articles about
Bills and Charters of Rights.
Victoria
Victoria legislated to establish a
Charter
of Human Rights and Responsibilities in 2006.
Click here for our campaign page.
Click here
for
for page on the Parliament debate.
ACT
The ACT passed the Human Rights
Act
in 2004.
WA
WA had an Inquiry on establishing a Human Rights
Act but have put the Report on hold until the national consultation is done.
Click here
. Author: Jenny Stokes | Modified: 14 May 2008 |
