Respected legal experts come together to back call for a NSW Human Rights Act
Last night some of the State’s most respected legal figures teamed up at a sold out event to highlight the need for New South Wales to catch up with other states and territories by legislating a Human Rights Act.
Eminent international jurist and former High Court judge the Honourable Michael Kirby AC CMG, Hugh de Kretser, President of the Australian Human Rights Commission and members of the NSW Bar including Dr Ruth Higgins SC, Trent Glover SC and Carmel Lee took part in a public lecture focussed on how a NSW Human Rights Act would make a difference in people’s lives, and why a State-based Human Rights Act is needed in addition to federal legislation.
The public lecture at the University of Sydney Law School was jointly hosted by the NSW Bar Association and Human Rights Act for NSW (HRA4NSW), an alliance of forty seven (47) civil society and community organisations, convened by Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) and the NSW Council for Civil Liberties
Kerry Weste, Immediate Past President of Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) said: “Human Rights Acts have already been passed in the Australian Capital Territory (2004), Victoria (2006) and Queensland (2019). Everyday these laws are benefitting people in concrete ways in relation to issues like housing, education, access to healthcare and much more. It’s time for NSW to begin a conversation about ensuring that the people of this State receive at least the same level of protection for their human rights.”
“Significant momentum for legislative protection of human rights across Australia has been building. The South Australian Parliament is currently conducting an Inquiry into the Potential for a Human Rights Act for SA. The Report of the federal Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights’ Inquiry into Australia’s Human Rights Framework, released in May 2024, and the Report of the Australian Human Rights Commission’s Free and Equal Consultation, released in December 2022, do not just recommend that a federal Human Rights Act be enacted, they also strongly emphasise that all states and territories yet to do so now need to move towards introducing their own human rights legislation.”
Lydia Shelly, President of the NSW Council for Civil Liberties said, “A NSW Human Rights Act would create a legislated framework that articulates and protects human rights for everyone in NSW based on Australia’s international legal obligations under core United Nations treaties like the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). It would significantly improve the way our parliament, government and public entities develop laws, policies and make decisions. It would also create accessible pathways that everyone in NSW can use to take action for a solution if their human rights are breached. This framework is based on the values that the people of NSW hold most dear and will create a much needed culture of human rights in our state that will, in turn, work to improve wellbeing, dignity and equality in our day to day lives.”
Ms Weste Concluded: “HRA4NSW is calling on the NSW Government to establish an inquiry into a Human Rights Act. Holding a public inquiry into a human rights law for NSW would give everyone in our state the chance to design a law that meets the needs of our many different communities. It would also send a message to our children and young people that we care about their future, and we’re prepared to do the hard work to create lasting social change and a society that strives for the values we hold most dear: justice, equality and a ‘fair go’ for all.”
To arrange an interview contact Louise Hall: lh@jcp.com.au 0428 212 833
View a media briefing package with case studies here