Australians Are Supportive of a Federal Human Rights Act
Australians are broadly supportive of a federal human rights act, even more so when told we don’t have one.
While Victoria, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory all have their own acts, only some human rights are protected at a federal level, unlike all other western liberal democracies.
Amnesty International Australia’s second annual Human Rights Barometer, released on Monday, suggests about three-quarters of Australians support the creation of a federal act.
A comprehensive fundamental human rights act would protect rights such as freedom of political communication, which are currently only implied, Amnesty International says.
“Human rights matter because someone’s quality of life should not be determined by factors beyond their control—race, gender, socio-economic background, sexuality or age,” Amnesty International Australia campaigner Nikita White said….