“This is a timely inquiry as the Australian Human Rights Framework has not been the subject of any significant review since it was first announced in 2010.  In an increasingly digital environment, it is important to look at emerging issues such as the right to privacy and government’s role in protecting people’s data.  This inquiry will help ensure the Federal Parliament continues to uphold the human rights of all Australians and Australia’s international human rights obligations.”

The committee invites submissions in particular:

• whether the Australian Parliament should enact a federal Human Rights Act, and if so, what elements it should include (including by reference to the Australian Human Rights Commission’s recent Position Paper);
  • whether existing mechanisms to protect human rights in the federal context are adequate and if improvements should be made, including:to the remit of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights;
  • the role of the Australian Human Rights Commission;
  • the process of how federal institutions engage with human rights, including requirements for statements of compatibility; and
• the effectiveness of existing human rights Acts/Charters in protecting human rights in the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria and Queensland, including relevant caselaw, and relevant work done in other states and territories.