New Rights Forum

Members of the public and organisations are welcome to join a conversation about whether the Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld) should include any new rights. You can see what's already covered in the Human Rights Act here: https://www.qhrc.qld.gov.au/your-rights/human-rights-law

Why?

Under section 95 of the Act, the independent reviewer of the Act, Professor Susan Harris Rimmer must recommend to the Parliament whether additional human rights should be included as human rights under this Act, including, but not limited to, rights under—

• the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; or
• the Convention on the Rights of the Child; or
• the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; or
• the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.

How?

Professor Susan Harris Rimmer with the other members of the review team will lead a interactive dialogue about rights which are enshrined in the ACT and Victoria human rights legislation that were not incorporated in the Queensland act, as well as emerging rights in other jurisdictions for debate and discussion.

For example, the ACT Human Rights Act 2004 recognises the right to compensation for wrongful convictions (section 23), and the right to work (section 27B). The ACT Government has recently introduced The Human Rights (Healthy Environment) Amendment Bill 2023 to the Legislative Assembly on 26 October 2023. In an Australian first, the Bill provides express statutory protection for the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment in the ACT’s human rights framework. In the EU, there are new digital rights being considered in the European Declaration on Digital Rights and Principles for the Digital Decade. Wales protects the rights of future generations through the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act.

All ideas are welcome

Professors Elena Marchetti, Sue Harris Rimmer, Janet Ransley and will also lead a conversation about the rights of victims. The Attorney-General has asked the Review to consider whether the recognition of victims’ rights under the Charter of Victims’ rights in the Victims of Crime Assistance Act 2009 should be incorporated into the Act. This was recommended by the Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce in its Report - Hear her voice – Report two – Women and girls’ experiences across the criminal justice system and the Legal Affairs and Safety Committee Report on the Inquiry into Support provided to Victims of Crime (Report No. 48, 57th Parliament, May 2023).

The Queensland Government, in the next statutory review of the Human Rights Act 2019, include a specific focus on victims’ rights and consider whether recognition of victims’ rights or the Charter of victims’ rights in the Victims of Crime Assistance Act 2009 should be expanded and incorporated into the Human Rights Act 2019. The review should involve consultation with victims, First Nations peoples, service providers (including those working with victims of domestic, family and sexual violence victim-survivors) and legal stakeholders.

When and where?

These forums will be held at the Ship Inn with repeated times for accessibility. Available sessions are:

Monday 15 July 2024 - 9.15am for 9.30am start to 11.30am

Monday 15 July 2024 - 5.15pm for 5.30pm start to 7.30pm

Tuesday 16 July 2024 - 9.15am for 9.30am start to 11.30am

Light refreshments will be avaialble on arrival.