The National Human Rights Consultation undertaken over the first seven months of 2009 was one of the biggest public consultations in Australia’s history. Through the process, the Consultation Committee - a balanced and independent body appointed by the Government - received tens of thousands of submissions, conducted community roundtables throughout the country and heard from representatives of community groups and other bodies.

The Committee handed its findings and recommendations to the Government on 30 September 2009. The Committee’s report demonstrated that there is overwhelming public support for a Human Rights Act in Australia. In fact, more than 80 per cent of submissions made were in favour of this legislation.

Accordingly, the Committee recommended the Rudd Government give Australians the Human Rights Act we clearly want.

Let’s get to the facts

Opponents of a Human Rights Act are worried about the Consultation Committee’s clear recommendation that our Government adopt one. They’ve presented various inaccuracies - or ‘myths’ - in popular media about what an Act would mean for our country.

Myths don’t help anyone get a handle on an issue - let’s bust them!

Myth 1

"Australians don’t want a Human Rights Act"

Fact - A Human Rights Act has popular support throughout Australia - the Consultation that gave voice to our demand for a Human Rights Act was the largest in Australia’s history (read more)

So now what?

Attorney-General Robert McClelland received the Committee’s recommendations in September 2009. The Government is yet to respond.

How hard can it be? The Rudd Government commissioned one of the nation’s largest public consultations, headed by a balanced and independent committee, and was given a clear recommendation based on a comprehensive dialogue with tens of thousands of people throughout Australia. They asked us and we answered, loud and clear.

It’s not just people in Australia who think that we need stronger human rights protection. Both the UN Human Rights Committee and the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights have raised concerns about the incorporation of our international obligations into domestic law. It is not okay for us to make promises to uphold civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights on the international stage, but then not uphold that promise at home.

Myth 2

"A Human Rights Act would transfer power from elected politicians to judges"

Fact - The model proposed by the Consultation Committee ensures that parliament always has the ‘final say’ - our High Court can declare proposed legislation incompatible with human rights, but cannot cancel it (read more)

Considering Australia’s international human rights commitments, the recommendations of the Human Rights Consultation Committee and widespread community support, it’s clear that the next step for the Federal Government is adopt a Human Rights Act.

But if you’re still not sure, a review of the facts will make it clear.

Time for action - what you can do

Australians have told the Government what we want - there’s no better time for Kevin Rudd to stand up and tell Australians that he has listened, and that his Government will introduce a Human Rights Act.

Myth 3

"A Human Rights Act will violate religious freedom"

Fact - Freedom of religion is a fundamental human right - as such it will be better protected under a Human Rights Act (read more)

Get behind our online effort to remind Mr Rudd that we want a Human Rights Act by sending the message out through Facebook and Twitter. You can get your friends behind the effort as well.

The more people we have making noise online, the more our Government will know our support - take action now.