The Commission’s observation is that law, policy and practice at the federal level have drifted over the past decade without a durable reference point from which to fully consider the human rights implications of decisions made. The experience during the COVID‑19 pandemic and of decision making in relation to the Robodebt scheme are illustrations of how decision making can lose focus of the human rights impacts on people when decisions are being made without human rights guidance. This Final Report outlines the actions necessary for the Australian Government to meet its obligations to respect, protect and fulfil human rights in a revitalised Human Rights Framework. The report is released on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the adoption by the United Nations (UN) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Australia had a significant leadership role in its adoption, which remains a guiding light for humanity the world over. 1.3 Why do we need a National Human Rights Framework? There are 5 key factors that underpin the Commission’s call for a National Human Rights Framework. (a) Building a human rights culture of ‘rights-mindedness’ Throughout this project, the Commission has emphasised the importance of building a human rights culture, or of building ‘rights-mindedness’. This means that human rights are front of mind when decisions are made or actions taken by the Parliament and Government so that they can choose pathways that advance human rights and that do not unnecessarily cause harm to people in the community. Through ‘rights-mindedness’, policy design and decision making are based on human rights principles. At the community level, it means that we are aware of how our actions affect others and we actively choose not to harm others. At present, our legal framework and supporting policy framework for human rights is very limited and reactive in focus. It relies too heavily on discrimination laws to set the standard, which mostly come into operation when harm has already occurred. There is not enough focus on proactive measures to advance human rights in the first place or to bring these issues to the front of mind when decisions are made. We have described the desired mindset shift as building ‘upstream’ consideration of human rights into our systems for law, policy and practice, as opposed to such consideration being ‘downstream’ and focused on measures ‘after the event’. A National Human Rights Framework is of vital importance if we are to build a human rights culture at the federal level. 16 FREE & EQUAL: Revitalising Australia’s Commitment to Human Rights