Contents
President’s foreword. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Terms of Reference. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
1. Introduction: Towards a revitalised Human Rights Framework for Australia. . . . . 14
1.1 Overview
14
1.2 Introduction
15
1.3 Why do we need a National Human Rights Framework?
16
1.4 The key elements of a new National Human Rights Framework for Australia
21
1.5 Momentum towards reform
26
1.6 The Free & Equal process
27
1.7 Report overview
29
2. Context for reform. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
2.1 Overview
33
2.2 Introduction
33
2.3 Prior momentum towards reform
34
2.4 Parallel work of the Commission
41
2.5 Inadequacy of current national protections of human rights
43
3. A Human Rights Act for Australia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
3.1 Overview
47
3.2 Introduction
47
3.3 Support for a national Human Rights Act
48
3.4 The case for a Human Rights Act
49
3.5 The model Human Rights Act for Australia
52
3.6 Interpretation of rights in the Human Rights Act
61
3.7 Interpretation of federal laws and limitations on human rights
61
3.8 Cause of action, complaints and remedies
63
3.9 Periodic reviews
67
3.10 The Disability Royal Commission’s recommendations for a Disability Rights Act
67
3.11 Ten ways a national Human Rights Act would make a difference to people in Australia
69
4. Discrimination law reform. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
4.1 Overview
73
4.2 Introduction
74
4.3 The reform agenda for federal discrimination laws
79
4.4 A roadmap to implement reforms to federal discrimination law
91
FREE & EQUAL: Revitalising Australia’s Commitment to Human Rights
3