Politicians will be intimidated into falling in to line with the rights agenda of unelected judges should a national charter of rights be introduced.

The Attorney General Robert McClelland tried this week to allay concerns about Parliament being usurped by judges when he announced that consultation on a charter is to commence.

But the reality is that judges will issue proclamations ruling that some laws decided by democratically elected politicians contradict the charter.

This will generate enormous controversy and shame politicians in to supporting agenda's pushed by minority groups who can convince unelected judges to support their wishes – usually wishes they have failed to achieve support for at the ballot box.

While the charter is being pushed by those who say Australia has gaps in its protection of human rights, charters adopted by Victoria and the ACT specifically trample on the rights of the unborn by saying the right to life does not begin until birth.

This will be just the beginning of the farcical situations a charter will give rise to. As columnist Janet Albrechtsen wrote in Wednesday’s The Australian: “The charter being proposed will allow judges to second-guess the decisions of elected politicians and only a brave politician will reject a judge’s determination once it is draped in the deceptive language of protecting a “human right”.” Please to read the full opinion piece.

The Government's national consultation will look at three key questions: Which human rights and responsibilities should be protected and promoted; are these human rights currently sufficiently protected and promoted; and how could Australia better protect and promote human rights?

These questions seem to pre-judge the inevitability of a charter of rights.

While democratic lawmaking may be imperfect, it is preferable to rule by the courts, particularly when vested interest groups will use any opportunity to push their ‘rights’ agendas.

It is vital that Christians have a voice and we strongly encourage you to get involved by writing submissions and taking part in the proposed community roundtables to be held throughout regional and remote Australia as well as major towns and cities during the first half of 2009.

For more details about the consultation process, the roundtable meetings, and how to put in a submission please go to the consultation’s website at www.humanrightsconsultation.gov.au or make a free call on 1800 086 134 between 10 am and 4 pm.

Australian Christian Lobby
Canberra, Australia

Tel: (02) 6259 0431

Fax: (02) 6259 0462

Mob: 0448 602 878

www.acl.org.au