The Rudd government is yet to make a formal response to the Consultation conducted by Frank Brennan into whether Australia should have a 'Charter of Rights' or a 'Human Rights Act'.
The Consultation Committee handed their report to the federal government on 30 September 2009.
The Consultation recommended a 'Charter of Rights' or a 'Human Rights Act' as well as a large number of legislative and administrative changes which it claims will 'protect human rights'.
We totally oppose a 'Charter of Rights' or a 'Human Rights Act'.
The federal government is yet to make a full response to the Report. However a short 4 page interim response from Attorney General Robert McClelland was published on 7 October 2009.
Read the statement: The protection and promotion of human rights in Australia. 
The statement says that almost everyone thinks human rights should be 'protected' - however it acknowledges that whilst some people supported a Charter of Rights other people opposed it!
Mr McClelland said "Overwhelmingly, the report by the National Human Rights Consultation Committee shows that Australians support the protection of human rights. They also believe more can be done. The debate therefore is not about whether we protect human rights — it is about how we protect human rights."
Mr McClelland concludes by saying that the government will respond in the "coming months".
Well it is now 5 months later... Maybe Mr Rudd has too many issues on the go at the moment - in that case, we are happy that they are not pushing forward with plans to legislate on this issue. However we need to be aware of what is happening and be contacting our MPs and Senators now about this matter!
A couple of weeks back, Paul Kelly, Editor-at-Large of The Australian, wrote an article giving a very good overview of the current situation regarding the Charter.
In the article he assessed the Rudd government's (non) response and looked at possible courses of action - he totally opposed a 'Charter of Rights' or a 'Human Rights Act'.
This article is well worth reading - click on heading:
PM under pressure on the wrongs of human rights
Paul Kelly, Editor-at-large - The Australian - Feb 17, 2010.
See our Campaign page for more information on the Consultation.
Action needed...
It's time to write to all our federal MPs and Senators and tell them we DON'T WANT a 'Charter of Rights' or a 'Human Rights Act' and that we oppose the recommendations of the Consultation on Human Rights.
Please write to your ONE federal MP and your TWELVE Senators (2 in ACT and NT).
Click here for MP and Senator details.
Jenny Stokes
Research Director
Salt Shakers
03 9800 2855
0413 084 146
www.saltshakers.org.au
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Salt Shakers is a 'Christian Ethics - Research, Education and Action Group'.
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