Melbourne Event: 'Right Time - Why We Need an Australian Charter of Human Rights'

Monday 17 June 2019

Australia is the only western democracy without a Charter of Human Rights or an equivalent legal protection. What’s holding us back?

For this discussion at Melbourne’s Wheeler Centre for books, writing and ideas, three panellists – Kristen Hilton, Teela Reid and Gillian Triggs – looked at the growing push for a federal Charter of Human Rights. Hosted by Lee Carnie from the Human Rights Law Centre, they outlined glaring problem areas in Australia’s human-rights record and make a case for legally enshrined and protected rights for all Australians.

Watch the video of the event here.

Speakers:

• Kristen Hilton is the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissioner.

• Teela Reid is a proud Wiradjuri and Wailwan woman and lawyer practicing in criminal, civil and administrative law.

• Gillian Triggs is former president of the Australian Human Rights Commission and is now chair of Justice Connect.

• Lee Carnie is a senior lawyer at the Human Rights Law Centre advocating for equality law reform and a national Charter of Human Rights.