The HRLC advice further observed that ICCPR
rights contain positive obligations, not only
negative obligations (as discussed above)
and are nonetheless considered justiciable.
Regarding the question of whether ICESCR
requires courts to make inappropriate resourcing
decisions, the HRLC advice refers to the example
of the Dietrich case, in which the High Court
indirectly required the provision of legal aid
lawyers for serious criminal trials (discussed in
chapter 7 section 7.9). The advice observed that
‘decisions by the courts clearly have implications
for the allocation of public money even if the
courts do not rule directly on how resources
should be allocated’.66
In response to similar questions about how
courts can assess ICESCR fulfilment without
straying into policymaking territory, the OHCHR
has stated that the primary role of the court
with respect to ICESCR is reviewing government
policy, which is not the same as making policy.67
The HRLC advice concluded that ICESCR rights
could be included in a federal Human Rights Act
if they are framed correctly. In the Australian
context, this may involve providing more specific
content to the general language of aspects of
ICESCR rights.68
The Commission’s approach, outlined below,
therefore aims to frame ICESCR rights in a
manner that is constitutionally sound.
Regardless of the final approach taken, it would
be constructive to seek updated advice from
the Solicitor-General on this question, noting
the differing views among legal minds, and the
differing potential pathways for implementing
ICESCR rights domestically.
(c) Proposed approach to framing ICESCR
rights in the Human Rights Act
The Commission has designed its proposals for
ICESCR implementation with the aim of ensuring
compliance with Australia’s Constitution. The
Commission therefore proposes articulations of
ICESCR rights that are somewhat narrower than
128
the full expression of those rights contained in
ICESCR. Specifically, the Commission has chosen
not to require progressive realisation principles
to be considered by the courts.
The Commission notes that it does not
consider progressive realisation principles
to be inherently non-justiciable. However, it
acknowledges the importance of providing
certainty that the implementation of ICESCR
is constitutional, suitably adapted for the
Australian context, and directly enforceable by
the courts. It also recognises the importance of
providing sufficient clarity about the contents of
rights – both for the benefit of judges and public
authorities interpreting and applying the rights;
and for the benefit of individuals that seek to
rely upon them through complaints and judicial
review processes.69
The Commission has focused on including the
essential, core and/or immediately realisable
aspects of ICESCR rights. This renders the rights
more specific, but also somewhat narrower. All
ICESCR rights are implemented through the
Commission’s proposals, to varying degrees.
Per the Commission’s approach, the range of
rights set out in ICESCR would still form part
of the educational and advocacy functions
of the Commission. It would also inform the
upstream consideration of decisions about the
framing of laws, through requiring a statement
of compatibility to address the compliance with
ICESCR as a whole.
Importantly, the Commission’s articulation of
ICESCR rights is designed to accord with the
Commission’s proposal for including a direct
cause of action for unlawfulness under the
Human Rights Act. This reflects its intention
to ensure that the courts can review rights
compliance, and that a right to remedy is
available for individuals where breaches have
occurred.
Select target paragraph3
Connect to a paragraph
Connect to an entity
Disable highlights
Add to table of contents