A Human Rights Act for Australia

A federal Human Rights Act would benefit all of us

Human rights are the fundamental freedoms and protections that belong to all of us, ensuring everyone is treated equally, justly and with respect. Rights are about being treated, and treating others fairly.

A Human Rights Act is a tool with which you can combat the abuses you and your community are concerned about, and fight for the fundamental rights and freedoms that belong to all of us.

It would mean the rights of all Australians are protected in our laws, and force the federal government to consider those rights in their laws, policies and practices.

With a Human Rights Act we can hold those in power to account and challenge injustice.

 A Human Rights Act will:

• Prevent human rights abuses by forcing the government to consider human rights when passing laws, making decisions about policies, and delivering services,
• Provide an avenue for people to take action and challenge injustice when their rights are abused, and
• Provide remedies for people whose rights are abused.

With a Human Rights Act, we can create better lives for ourselves, our communities, and for those around us.

What does that look like?

The ACT, Victoria, and Queensland already have their own Human Rights Acts. They’re a good guide for a federal Human Rights Act, and show us how people can use one to challenge injustice and human rights abuses.

Our friends at the Charter of Rights coalition have compiled 101 cases that illustrate how people have used these laws to make concrete improvements to their lives. 

Survivor of domestic violence avoids eviction

A single mother in Queensland was threatened with eviction after her ex-partner refused to leave their house. Tenants Queensland helped her draft a letter using the Queensland Human Rights Act, which led to a transfer of tenancy and the housing provider withdrawing the application to terminate her lease.

Education for children seeking asylum

In the ACT, the Human Rights and Discrimination Commissioner raised their concern that government policies meant children and young people granted refugee status, and those seeking asylum, were charged for their education while living in Canberra. The Commissioner worked to develop new policies and procedures so that ACT public education is free for children and young people seeking asylum.

Public transport made accessible

When escalators at a train station in Queensland were replaced by steep, inaccessible stairs, one older resident of the community made a human rights complaint using the Act. This led to an agreement that escalators would be installed at the station.

Same-sex couple challenges unfair superannuation 

A law that allowed people in same sex relationships could receive certain superannuation benefits if their partner died discriminated against older people in same sex relationships because it didn’t apply retrospectively.  A woman used the Victorian Charter asking for the problem to be fixed and in response, the Government introduced changes allowing same sex couples to access the superannuation benefits retrospectively.

These are just a few examples of how A Human Rights Act is used by ordinary people as a tool to challenge injustice.

They’re why, with a federal Human Rights Act, we can create better lives for ourselves and our communities.

Take Action Today

When we work together, we can make the world a better place.

The government must legislate a Human Rights Act so that people have the power to take action when their human rights are violated, and can seek remedies for abuses.

Join the campaign and call for a federal Human Rights Act so the government is forced to put human rights first: 

• Sign the petition calling on the Albanese government to legislate a Human Rights Act,
• Email your local MP and let them know you support protecting all our human rights in law, and 
• Learn more about why we need a Human Rights Act.

As a global movement of 10 million people, and 500,000 people in Australia, Amnesty International has the people power to build public support for a Human Rights Act.

With a powerful legacy of over 60 years of human rights advocacy, we have a real opportunity to make a massive difference.