Human rights charters prove their worth, new Labor Government should adopt one

Human rights laws in Victoria, the ACT and Queensland are making concrete improvements to people’s lives, particularly by preventing homelessness and promoting health, according to a new report by the Human Rights Law Centre.  

The report, ‘Charters of human rights make our lives better’ tells the success stories of the ACT’s Human Rights Act 2004, Victoria’s Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 and Queensland’s Human Rights Act 2019.  

It analyses 101 cases that show how these laws have empowered people and their advocates when rights were threatened or breached, highlighting outcomes such as stopping the criminalisation of sleeping in cars and ensuring a man with a disability was allowed to open his own mail. It includes dozens of cases from the Covid-19 pandemic showing how human rights laws played an important role. 

Despite the success of these laws in three jurisdictions, Australia is the only western democracy without a national Charter of Human Rights or similar law. The Human Rights Law Centre is calling on the Albanese government to move swiftly to introduce a national Charter of Rights. 

Labor committed in its national platform to adhere to Australia’s international human rights obligations and to seek to incorporate them into Australia’s laws and administrative decision-making. Labor also committed to a review into whether to introduce a Charter of Human Rights or similar legislation.  

Human Rights Law Centre Executive Director Hugh de Kretser said: 

“Charters of human rights in Victoria, Queensland and the ACT have had a clear positive impact on people’s lives. They’ve helped people to overturn unjustified eviction notices that would have seen them homeless; to access appropriate medical treatment; to stop children being locked up in cruel conditions in an adult prison and much more. 

“We urgently need a Charter of Human Rights at the national level. An Australian Charter of Human Rights will help ensure that shared values like freedom, equality, dignity and respect are at the heart of laws, policies and government services. It will mean that if someone’s rights are violated, they can take action to seek justice. It will help to realise a fair go for all.  

“In his victory speech, the Prime Minister spoke of a government that is caring. A society that leaves no one behind. An economy that works for the people and a nation in which no matter where you live or where you come from, the doors of opportunity are open to us all. A Charter would play a key role in realising this vision. 

“The Albanese government should move swiftly to introduce an Australian Charter of Human Rights. Our survey research shows strong and increasing support for an Australian Charter. Now is the time for action.”

READ: Charters of human rights make our lives better