National Human Rights Consultation Submission 

AGWW-7QU47M 

Organisation: PhD Student 

Submission Text: 

I believe having human rights legislation in the constitution
 
would be an essential step for more transparency within national
 
governmental administration and as a guidepost for the way in which
 
Australia acts towards other nations. Although there are several arguments
 
against having this legislation (for example that it would limit rights by
 
defining them) I believe that as the only rich democratic country to not
 
have human rights legislation or charter, we currently leave ourselves
 
vulnerable to corrupt government. We also need to ask whether by refusing
 
human rights legislation, are we 'accepting' international acts of
 
violence, corruption and genocide because we are failing to make a stand
 
for our own citizens, much less fight against atrocities which contravene
 
international rights. Australia is more than willing to partake of an
 
international climate in which rights are protected but without our own
 
human rights legislation, we are not willing to stand for a rights based
 
approach at home. This means that the Australian government is less
 
accountable for its actions and the Australian people are less empowered.
 
I believe that in the current economic climate it is essential to define
 
what social and economic rights, as well as civil and political rights, we
 
possess as Australians. 

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