A dialogue about a Human Rights Act for

It is time for the introduction of a Human Rights Act
in Queensland. Queensland’s unique single house parliamentary system
leaves us exposed to the misuse of government power. A Human Rights Act would protect Queenslanders and
improve Queensland’s system of government. Victorians and residents of the ACT have enjoyed the
protection of human rights laws for years. Their
experience is one of improved government
accountability, improved service delivery and more
transparent decision-making. Our Host, Peter Russo MP
A defence lawyer for 25 years, now a Queensland State
Member of Parliament, Peter is passionate about
justice and a fair-go for all.
How we got here
For more than a decade, Australians have been considering the
introduction of Human Rights Acts.
The ACT and Victoria were the first to introduce Human Rights Acts.
This year, the Queensland government has committed to considering
the adoption of a Human Rights Act here in Queensland. In 2014, the Hon. Peter Wellington MP, independent member for Nicklin
and the current speaker of the Queensland Parliament said:
“Recently I spoke about the need for a bill of rights to protect the
rights and liberties of Queenslanders…Queensland has no upper
house or house of review, and the current committee system is not
able to properly provide the necessary checks and balances on the
excesses of …government…I believe it is time for an act of
parliament that enshrines the rights and liberties we value as
important.”
This February, the Hon. Peter Wellington MP and Premier Annastacia
Palaszczsuk committed to take steps towards a ‘public discussion’ on
the adoption of a Human Rights Act in Queensland.
Since then, momentum and support has been growing towards the
adoption of a Human Rights Act. Numerous organisations and
individuals have written to the Premier and other Members of
Parliament expressing their support for the adoption of a Human Rights
Act in Queensland, and seeking a community consultation on this
important issue.
Our Speakers
Hon Jackie Trad MP
Deputy Premier, Minister for Transport, Minister for Infrastructure,
Local Government and Planning and Minister for Trade. Jackie has
a dedicated interest and skills base in public policy and worked as
a public servant in education and disability policy.
Hon Yvette D'Ath MP
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for Training
and Skills. Yvette understands the value that seniors bring to our
community, and believes we should fight for equal opportunities for
people with disability and strengthen support for their carers.
Rob Hulls
As Victorian Attorney-General, Rob instigated significant changes
to Victoria's legal system which saw the establishment of the
state's first Charter of Human Rights. In 2012 Rob was invited to
establish RMIT’s new Centre for Innovative Justice as its inaugural
Director.
Karyn Walsh
Karyn is CEO of Micah Projects, a not for profit organisation in
Brisbane. Micah Projects is committed to social justice through
service provision and advocacy to improve the lives of
disadvantaged and marginalised people, including people who are
homeless.
Kevin Cocks AM
Kevin was appointed Queensland's Anti- Discrimination
Commissioner in February 2011, prior to his appointment Kevin
was a prominent advocate working for social justice and human
rights issues for vulnerable people with disabilities.
Shane Duffy
A descendant of the Kalkadoon people from Mount Isa, Shane is
the CEO of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service in
Queensland. Shane has worked in the human services industry for
over 25 years in the public and non-government sectors.
Aimee McVeigh
Aimee is a lawyer who is currently involved in campaigning for a
Human Rights Act for Queensland. Aimee’s work has focussed on
issues affecting women, children, Indigenous peoples and people
with disability.
What is a
Human Rights Act?
This diagram summarises how Human Rights Acts work and how they
positively impact: the design of new laws, government decision-making,
and the protection of people’s interests in the community and through
the courts.
The MP proposing the new law
must ensure that it is accompanied
by a statement that explains
whether the law is compatible with
human rights standards
A new law is
proposed in
Parliament
Human
Rights Act
A
government
agency
makes a
decision or
takes action
A court or
tribunal
interprets a
piece of
legislation
The proposed law must be
considered by a parliamentary
committee to determine whether
the law is compatible with human
rights standards and provide a
public report to parliament about
their findings
Courts and tribunals are required
to interpret and apply legislation
consistently with human rights
standards and issue a declaration
of incompatibility when law cannot
be interpreted and applied
consistently with human rights
What is a
Human Rights Act?
A Human Rights Act (sometimes called a charter or a bill of rights) is an
ordinary piece of legislation that sets out basic human rights in a way
that improves government accountability and service delivery and
results in more transparent decision-making.
Government agencies
must act in a way that
is consistent with
human rights and give
due consideration to
those rights in
decision making
Where the agency
does not act in a
manner consistent
with human rights or
give due consideration
to those rights in
decision making an
aggrieved person can
take legal action by
seeking a review of the
decision and /or
compensation
Parliament is required
to respond to a
declaration of
incompatibility
What we are asking for
The adoption of a Human Rights Act would be an important step towards
better government in Queensland. Human Rights Acts enhance openness,
transparency and accountability at all levels of government, and identify
basic values that are important to all Queenslanders. We are calling on the Queensland Government to take steps towards the
adoption of a Queensland Human Rights Act. Specifically, we are seeking a
community consultation to consider a Human Rights Act for
Queensland. Widespread community support from organisations and individuals from
across a range of backgrounds and locations is already building (as
demonstrated by the logos displayed on the back of this flyer). Your support
is vital in calling for the Government to take this important step. A
community consultation would give you an opportunity to have your say
about how rights should be protected in Queensland, and to learn exactly
how a Human Rights Act would be capable of building better government in
Queensland, whilst preserving the fundamental values of fairness and
democracy that this state is built on.
Get involved
1. Take a picture of yourself demonstrating your support and post it to
Instagram, Twitter and Facebook with the hashtag #humanrights4qld
2. Follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/humanrights4qld or Instagram https://instagram.com/humanrights4qld 3. Write to your local Member of Parliament asking that they support a
community consultation being held about the introduction of a Human
Rights Act in Queensland
Act Now!
visit
www.facebook.com/humanrights4qld https://instagram.com/humanrights4qld
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