What’s involved?
If the protection of human rights in Australia is something that you support and an issue in which you would like to become involved, there are plenty of different ways that you to take action.
*LEARNING AND AWARENESS RAISING AWARENESS – THE PUBLIC INTEREST ADVOCACY CENTRE*
One of the biggest obstacles currently facing the introduction of a Bill of Rights in Australia is the lack of public awareness and understanding of human rights issues.
An important first step toward taking action on any issue involves learning more about it. The knowledge that you gain simply by reading and asking questions, will not only give you a better understanding of the issue, but will also give you the necessary tools to help raise the awareness of others. The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) provides resources that can help you to take this action. The PIAC is currently running a campaign called “Protecting Human Rights in Australia,” that aims to raise human rights awareness and to provide training and support to groups so that they can train others in turn.
The PIAC have produced a community education kit called “Protecting Human Rights in Australia”. This provides people with basic information about the human rights affecting you. It contains a series of fact sheets that;
*deal with specific human rights issues
*outline the international human rights standards that apply; and
*detail how human rights protection in Australia could be improved.
You can download the facts sheets from
http://piac.asn.au//system/PHREnglish.html
Find out more about how you can support PIAC and become involved in their campaigns at
http://piac.asn.au/index.html
*THE NEW SOUTH WALES PARLIAMENT*
The New South Wales Parliament has published a research paper entitled “A New South Wales Charter of Rights? The Continuing Debate.” Although it discusses a State and not a Federal Human Rights Bill, it provides an excellent overview of all the issues that are involved in the introduction of human rights protection in Australia. You can access the paper at http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/publications
*NEW MATILDA HUMAN RIGHTS ACT CAMPAIGN*
You can make a big contribution towards the protection of human rights In Australia by becoming involved in the New Matilda Human Rights Act Campaign.
*LEARN*
Visit the site at www.humanrightsact.com.au and gain access to the New Matilda campaign resource pages. This will help you to learn more about the human rights issue and will give you the knowledge that you need to help make others more aware.
*MAILING LIST*
Sign on to New Matilda’s electronic mailing list to receive regular updates on the campaign. Through this resource New Matilda will keep you informed of up and coming events, and will provide you with information on lobbying actions that you can undertake when the time is right. Sign up now at http://www.newmatilda.com/humanrightsregister/
*DONATIONS*
New Matilda relies on community support to run their national campaign. Any contribution that you make will make a big difference. Find out how at you can donate at https://www.newmatilda.com/ssl/campaigndonate.asp
*VOLUNTEERS*
New Matilda are always looking for new volunteers. What better way to get involved, than to step right in to where the action is happening. New Matilda is on the lookout for media monitors, researchers, event organizations, people to liase with organizations and people to help out at campaign stalls. If you’re in Sydney you can give a hand in the office. If not, there is plenty you can do via telephone or email. Find out more on the New Matilda website.
*BECOME INVOLVED IN THE CONSULTATION PHASE*
New Matilda wants to consult widely on its draft Bill to make sure that it reflects community attitudes. There are two ways that you can become involved in this process.
* The first is through New Matilda’s online Human Rights Act Forum. This is a space in which you are invited to make comments, ask questions and participate in debates on the draft Bill.
* You can also make a submission – individually or as part of an organization. (Don’t forget to check out the submission guidelines that New Matilda has posted in their website.)
Take the time to download the Draft Bill from their website – and let New Matilda know what you think. This is a really great way for you to become directly involved in the future of human rights in Australia.
*UPCOMING EVENTS/LAUNCHES*
*Northern Territory Launch* – Friday 21 July, 6pm
Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory
Conacher Street
Fannie Bay, Darwin
*Melbourne Launch* – Sunday 13 August, 4pm
At the Malthouse Theatre
*GET INVOLVED IN HUMAN RIGHTS IN AUSTRALIA*
You can take action on this issue, by becoming more involved in Australia’s human rights ??. Participate in the campaigns, attend the events and support the organisations that promote human rights protection.
Following, is a list of Australian organisations that promote understanding, respect and national protection of human rights, and that support the introduction of a Human Rights Bill. Visit their websites to learn more about the issues and to find out how you can become involved in their campaigns and activities.
*NEW SOUTH WALES CIVIL LIBERTIES COUNCIL*
http://www.nswccl.org.au/issues/bill_of_rights/index.php
*THE HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA*
http://www.hrca.org.au/
*HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH AUSTRALIA*
*AUSTRALIAN HUMAN RIGHTS AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION (HREOC)*
http://www.hreoc.gov.au/
*AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL AUSTRALIA*
(Promoting and defending human rights) http://www.amnesty.org.au/
I want to do this!
