This report recommends that a National Human Rights Framework be established. It sets out the key action areas of a proposed National Human Rights Framework for Australia with 5 pillars for reform and 3 supporting foundations. These action areas are mutually reinforcing and complement each other. Each element is necessary if Australia is to respect, protect and fulfil its human rights obligations. The proposed national framework is set out in Figure 1. These 8 action areas are detailed throughout this report. Each element of the national framework addresses a different requirement if we are to fully protect human rights in Australia. Figure 1: National Human Rights Framework OBJECTIVES • Set national priorities • Protect human rights in law, policy and practice • Benchmark and review progress • Hold government to account • Educate the community about their rights • Ensure transparency in decision making about human rights PILLARS 1 2 3 4 5 Ensure comprehensive and effective protection of human rights in legislation, through establishing a Human Rights Act. Modernise federal discrimination law. Enhance the role of Parliament in protecting human rights. Development of a national human rights indicator index. Annual Human Rights Statement to Parliament. Phase 1: Address long standing problems. Reforms to parliamentary scrutiny. Phase 2: Improve parliamentary oversight of Australian human rights obligations. Introduce a new coregulatory approach to shift to a preventative model. FOUNDATIONS Human rights education for: • public service • schools • workplaces • community. 22 A sustainable Australian Human Rights Commission. Support for a vibrant civil society to protect human rights. FREE & EQUAL: Revitalising Australia’s Commitment to Human Rights