National Human Rights Consultation

The National Consultation

On 10 December 2008, the Australian Government launched a National Human Rights Consultation (NHRC) about the protection and promotion of human rights in Australia. The National Consultation examines 3 key questions:

• Which human rights (including corresponding responsibilities) should be protected and promoted in Australia?
• Are these human rights currently sufficiently protected and promoted?
• How could Australia better protect and promote human rights?

The National Consultation provides an important opportunity for individuals and community organisations to share their views on how human rights should be best protected and promoted in the future.The Attorney-General has stated publicly that the National Human Rights Consultation Committee should "hear from as many Australians as possible."  To date, the Committee has received around 40,000 written submissions and conducted 66 community round tables in 53 locations across Australia.  The Committee has also established an interactive website and on-line forum.Submissions to the Committee were due by 15 June 2009.  The Government has recently extended the date by which the Committee must report on any ideas and options to promote and protect human rights into the future.  The Committee will now report to the Government by 30 September 2009.

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What is PILCH doing?

Community Education

On 24 March 2009, the Victorian Council of Social Services (VCOSS) and PILCH hosted a workshop for community organisations on the National Human Rights Consultation (NHRC).  The workshop explained the consultation process and identified how individuals can get involved.  It examined the current system for the protection and promotion of human rights, and workshopped how a national Human Rights Act might better protect and promote the rights of marginalised or disadvantaged people.

For workshop materials, click here.

On 6 May 2009, the Environmental Defenders Office (EDO), the Human Rights Law Resource Centre (HRLRC) and PILCH conducted a joint workshop on Human Rights and the Environment.  As well as discussing how to be involved in the National Consultation, the workshop examined how human rights are relevant to the environment and climate change.

For workshop materials, click here.

On 21 May 2009, PILCH and the Peninsula Community Legal Centre (PCLC) hosted a similar workshop on the National Consultation in Mornington. 

For workshop materials, click here.

Submission

In addition to hosting a range of workshops, PILCH made a submission to the National Human Rights Consultation Committee.  This submission identified gaps in the current protection and promotion of human rights and, in so doing, argued for enhanced rights protections in Australia.  More specifically, PILCH advocated the enactment of a federal Human Rights Act. 

For a copy of PILCH’s submission, click here.    

If you would like further information about PILCH’s work on the National Consultation, please contact Simone Cusack at simone.cusack@pilch.org.au.  

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What is the PILCH Homeless Persons' Legal Clinic doing?

Between March and May 2009, the Homeless Persons' Legal Clinic (HPLC) conducted workshops with people experiencing or at risk of homelessness about human rights in Australia.

The aims of the HPLC's workshops were:

• to ensure that people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness are provided with targeted and accessible information about the National Human Rights Consultation so that they are equipped to engage directly with the consultation process, including by making written submissions; and
• to collect information and data about the relationship between homelessness and human rights in Australia. The information and data will be collated and used in the HPLC's human rights campaigning and to inform our submission in response to the National Human Rights Consultation.

Submission 

The HPLC made 2 submissions to the Consultation which were greatly informed by the responses of participants at the workshops.

To read the HPLC's submissions, and to watch the documentary about the workshops, click here.

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