InBrief

Attorney-General Robert McClelland has announced the federal government's response to the National Human Rights Consultation Committee Report. Australia’s Human Rights Framework provides for a number of measures to protect human rights in Australia, but not for a charter of rights - much to the dismay of the Law Council. The key measures include: establishing a new Joint Committee on Human Rights to provide greater scrutiny of legislation for compliance with international human rights obligations; requiring that each new bill introduced into parliament is accompanied by a statement of compatibility with our international human rights obligations; and combining federal anti-discrimination laws into a single Act. The attorney made the announcement during a speech at the National Press Club.

21 April 2010