Thorpe calls for Human Rights Act

Outspoken Federal senator Lidia Thorpe has welcomed a call from the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human rights in Canberra for Australia to set establish a Human Rights Act.

Senator Thorpe, who sits on the committee, has been pushing for human rights protections consistent with international law for some time.

“This country is long overdue for a human rights framework. We must stop denying people the fundamental protections under international human rights laws that they are entitled to,” she said.

“The evidence of this government’s human rights violations is clear. Just look at the child removal system, the prison system, the ongoing destruction of Country, or the government policies that have left people trapped in poverty without access to safe housing, enough food, or even safe drinking water.

“This country clearly has a long way to go. A Human Rights Act would be a starting point to begin correcting these wrongs and changing course.”

Last year Senator Thorpe introduced a private bill to enshrine the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples into law, which the Federal Government blocked in the Senate.

The recommendations of the report are now set to be considered by the government.