Australia's Human Rights Framework
On 21 April 2010, the Attorney-General launched Australia’s Human Rights Framework which outlines a range of key measures to further protect and promote human rights in Australia.
The Framework acts on the key recommendations of the National Human Rights Consultation Committee and complements a number of actions the Government is already taking to encourage greater inclusion and participation in our community.
The Framework is based on five key principles and focuses on:
- reaffirming a commitment to our human rights obligations;
- the importance of human rights education;
- enhancing our domestic and international engagement on human rights issues;
- improving human rights protections including greater parliamentary scrutiny; and
- achieving greater respect for human rights principles within the community.
Specifically, the Framework demonstrates the Government’s commitment to positive and practical action in relation to human rights through a number of key commitments, including:
- investing over $12 million in a comprehensive suite of education initiatives to promote a greater understanding of human rights across the community;
- establishing a new Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights to provide greater scrutiny of legislation for compliance with our 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;
- combining federal anti-discrimination laws into a single Act to remove unnecessary regulatory overlap and make the system more user-friendly; and
- creating an annual NGO Human Rights Forum to enable comprehensive engagement with non-government organisations on human rights matters.
These changes are designed to have broad effect and will enhance the understanding of, and respect for, human rights across the Australian community.
Australia’s Human Rights Framework – Education Grants
Under Australia’s Human Rights Framework – Education Grants Program, the Australian Government will provide funding to non-government organisations to prepare and deliver human rights education programs to the Australian community.
The Government will fund a range of community organisations to develop and /or deliver programs that are appropriately targeted and address information needs of different groups. Grants will be made available for a range of programs, including one-off events, short-term activities or longer-term programs running over one to three years.
Information about the grants program and applying for funding is available at from the Education Grants page.
Improved scrutiny of legislation for compatibility with international human rights obligations.
On 2 June 2010 the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Bill 2010 was introduced into Parliament. The Bill provides for the creation of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights and the requirement for Statements of Compatibility for new Bills and legislative instruments.
The changes will affect the way that new policies and legislation are developed. You can find answers to questions about the process on the Frequently Asked Questions page.
Please contact the Human Rights Branch to request a hard copy of the Framework or if you have any questions about the new scrutiny arrangements that are not answered in the FAQs:
Human Rights Branch
Attorney-General's Department
3-5 National Circuit
BARTON ACT 2600
Telephone: 02 6141 3415
Email: humanrightsframework@ag.gov.au
