Infographic: Why we need a Human Rights Act for Australia People’s rights matter, all of the time The impact of laws, policy and practice on people’s human rights should always be considered. Parliament, governments and public officials should be held to account for how they consider human rights impacts in their decision-making. This reflects: our commitment to democratic principles, and ‘Australian values’ that respect civil liberties, rights and fundamental freedoms. It means that: Laws should respect human rights. 1 Remedies should be available where human rights have not been considered or have been breached without justification. When decisions are made, the human rights impacts should be considered. 2 3 The legal framework should: • Protect human rights. • Prevent violations of human rights. • Provide effective relief for breaches of human rights. FREE AND EQUAL A Human Rights Act for Australia 2022 13