National Human Rights Consultation Submission 

AGWW-7MK37J 

Name: Graham Sharp 

Submission Text: 

I wish to register my opposition to the proposal that the
 
Australian Government introduce either a bill or charter of human rights
 
Regardless of protestations to the contrary the proposal represents a major
 
shift in the balance of power shared by the three arms of government.It
 
unduly subordinates the powers of the legislative arm of government to
 
those of the judiciary.The Legislature is already much weakened by the
 
usurption of power by the Executive.It is the role,not of the judiciary,
 
but of the Senate to review legislation.
 
There are a number of other arguments against the proposal such as:
 

-the unaccountability of judges
 
-the likelyhood of increased litigiousness and
 
associated costs
 
-the lack of substantial evidence that the
 
rights of the average Australian are not
 
already as well protected as those of
 
citizens anywhere else in the world
 
-the lack of any real groundswell of opinion
 
calling for such a change.
 
The experience in other countries, particularly
 
USA,Canada, and Britain provides many examples of judges' interpretations
 
of human rights bills/charters which resulted in findings which were
 
neither intended or welcomed by those who drafted the enabling
 
charter.Examples are too numerous to mention. 

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