A Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities for Tasmania
In June 2010 the Attorney General, the Honourable Lara Giddings MP, announced a project to examine a model for a Human Rights Charter for Tasmania. The project includes a requirement to consult with the Tasmanian community in relation to a proposed model.
The Tasmanian Law Reform Institute also conducted a community consultation project in relation to human rights protection in 2006 and 2007. That consultation found strong support amongst respondents for stronger human rights protection in Tasmania. More particularly it found there was strong support for a charter of rights approach.
This project builds on the work done by the Institute by looking at the experiences of the Australian Capital Territory and Victoria and by looking at progress on human rights issues over the time since the Institute's report.
If a charter was in place it would act as a statement about the values and principles of the community, and introduce standards to ensure that human rights are a priority for the government when making laws and decisions.
Have your say
On 20 October 2010 the Attorney-General released the Consultation Paper which is the basis of a dialogue with the Tasmanian Community. Please Note: The period for feedback has now been extended to 14 January 2011:
Directions Paper
[4.3 MB | 52 pages]
The purpose of the paper is to:
- promote discussion in the community on a proposed model for a legislated human rights charter for Tasmania; and
- seek views and obtain written submisison from interested persons and organisations.
Other resources:
The project team have prepared a summary of the full paper and a PowerPoint display which they will be using during the public consultations:
Consultation Slides for Charter Paper
In addition, to help you understand the paper the project team have prepared an easy read guide:
Easy Read Guide to Charter Paper - Word
Easy Read Guide to Charter Paper - PDF 
The Paper refers you to the following:
- The experience in Victorian related to the operation of its Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities;
- The experience in the ACT related to the operation of its Human Rights Act;
- The work undertaken by the Tasmanian Law Reform Institute (TLRI) in 2007. [The TLRI report, Paper Number 10 - A charter of rights for Tasmania, followed lengthy consultations and was based on over 350 submissions. The TLRI report is available from the Institute's website.]
In addition the ACT Human Rights Act 5 year review and review of possible extension into economic, social and cultural rights have been completed and published links to these are available through the ACT Department of Justice and Community Safety website.
Consultation with interested organisations:
In addition to the public consultations which have occured it may be possible for us to visit your organisation to talk about the proposed model described in the paper and to answer your questions. if you would like to arrange for a consultation please email: legislation.development@justice.tas.gov.au
Statewide Consultations:
Consultations took place throughout October, November and December 2010, no further public consultations are planned at this time.
Providing your feedback:
The project team can be contacted with submissions, issues, or enquiries at any stage during the project by emailing the project manager, Dale Webster at:
legislation.development@justice.tas.gov.au or by mail [GPO Box 825, Hobart, TAS, 7001].
Formal Submissions on the Consultation Paper should be received by 29 November 2010 - NOW 14 January 2011.
Copies of written feedback and formal submissions will be made available via this website as they are received. Some may be edited to protect the privacy of the author or the privacy of others.
Feedback form:
To help you provide us with feedback we have created a form in word format
[save a copy to your computer and type in your response and then email it to us
or
print the form and post your comments to us]
You do not have to use this feedback form .
Consultation with interested organisations:
In addition to the public consultations it may be possible for us to visit your organisation to talk about the proposed model described in the paper and to answer your questions. if you would like to arrange for a consultation please email: legislation.development@justice.tas.gov.au
International Human Rights Treaties
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights website will give you access to a range of international human rights treaties including:
- The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
- The Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
- The Covenant on Political and Civil Rights
- The Convention on the Rights of the Child
- The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities