Human Rights Act 2004 (ACT)

Database of ACT Human Rights Act Case Database, ACTHRA.

The ACT Human Rights Act 2004 – The First Year
The ACT Human Rights Act 2004 - The Second Year

Charterblog

Universal Declaration of Human Rights, animated, posted 13 October 2008.
Human Rights Films, People’s Charter Group Queensland, posted 2007.

Human rights election promise reminder, Laura Macintyre, Lawyers Weekly, 17 October 2008.
Bill of rights is essential to best serve human rights, John von Doussa QC, SMH, 9 October 2008.
Failing benchmark of rights and representation (letters to the editor) [pdf], The Australian, 10 October 2008.
Rights of citizens (letter) [pdf], The Age, 26 August 2008.
If it ain't broke, we don't need to fix it (letter) [pdf], The Age, 25 August 2008.
A charter for Australia's modern needs [pdf], Justice Michael Kirby, The Age, 23 August 2008.
Brandis makes case against bill of rights, Lawyers Weekly, Laura Macintyre, 22 August 2008.
The Age readers' poll: does Australia need a bill of rights? [pdf], The Age, 20 August 2008.
Why is the Coalition so opposed to a Bill of Rights? (mp3) interview with Shadow Attorney-General George Brandis MP by Jennifer Byrne, published 14 August 2008.
Hostile to human rights (letter) [pdf], The Australian, 15 August 2008.
Bill of rights to create star chamber [pdf], Courier-Mail, 15 August 2008.
Bill of rights would be wrong (letter) [pdf], The Australian, 12 August 2008.
Liberals aim to wedge Labor on bill of rights [pdf] Glenn Milne, The Australian, 11 August 2008.
Balancing competing rights requires trade-offs [pdf], James Allan, The Australian, 11 August 2008.
Let's restore a democratic right [pdf], the Advertiser, 26 July 2008.
Rights Act not best for unborn: lawyer [pdf] the West Australian, 23 July 2008.
Wrong anti-rights case (letter)[pdf], Hilary Charlesworth (response to James Allan) The Australian, 19 July 2008.
Don't entrust liberty to madcap judges [pdf], James Allan, The Australian, 17 July 2008.
A victory only until the next time [pdf], George Williams and Nicola McGarrity, Sydney Morning Herald, 16 July 2008.
Don't trust politicians with your human rights [pdf], Sun Herald, 13 July 2008.
Australia should now become a human rights leader (again) [pdf], Philip Lynch, The Age, 8 July 2008.
Justified limits on speech (letter) [pdf], Anna Katzmann SC, The Australian, 13 June 2008.
Charter of Rights: different views from north and south of the Murray, The Law Report, 10 June 2008.
Even young progressives don't want to give unelected judges more power [pdf], Janet Albrechtsen, The Australian, 7 June 2008.
Young Labor votes to reject charter of rights [pdf], The Australian, 7 June 2008.
Lessons from UK Human Rights Act: the good, bad and the ugly [pdf], The Australian, 6 June 2008.
Canada's deadly tongue trap [pdf], James Allan, The Australian, 6 June 2008.
Truth takes a beating [pdf], George Williams, Canberra Times, 24 May 2008.
Question of our rights (letters to the editor) [pdf], Herald Sun, 23 May 2008.
Start the charge from home [pdf], Philip Lynch, Australian Financial Review (abstract) 16 May 2008.
Rights bill urged to thwart violations [pdf], Canberra Times, 14 May 2008.
Beware hidden agendas (abstract) [pdf], Greg Craven, Australian Financial Review, 12 May 2008.
Where is the evidence? (letter to the editor) [pdf], The Australian, 10 May 2008.
Horror stories unfairly bedevil charter of rights [pdf], Sydney Morning Herald, 9 May 2008 .
When it comes to picking High Court justices, give the little guys a go [pdf], James Allan, The Australian, 9 May 2008.
Bill of rights all wrong [pdf], Mirko Bagaric, Herald Sun, 1 May 2008.
Letters to the editor [pdf], Sydney Morning Herald, 1 May 2008.
What's so wrong with the judiciary dealing with rights?[pdf] Stephen Keim, Crikey, 30 April 2008.
Executive rule to be feared [pdf], Jack Waterford, Canberra Times, 30 April 2008.
Full speech of Cardinal George Pell to the Brisbane Institute [pdf] , 29 April 2008.
Rights best protected by parliament, says Pell [pdf], The Australian, 29 April 2008.
Most talked about: charter of rights (letters to the editor) [pdf], The Australian 26 April 2008.
'Make bill of rights debate open to all' [pdf], The Australian, 25 April 2008.
Bill of rights will help the hoi polloi, not just the haughty torty [pdf], Andrew Lynch, The Australian, 25 April 2008.
Hearings to grapple with bill of rights, private gifts [pdf], Canberra Times, 25 April 2008.
Lawyers are already drunk with power[pdf], Bob Carr, The Australian 24 April 2008.
Rights and the Judiciary (letter to ed) [pdf], The Australian, 24 April 2008.
Beware the galloping imperialist judiciary [pdf], Janet Albrechtsen, The Australian, 23 April 2008.
Charter looms as first clash of ideologies [pdf], The Australian, 22 April 2008.
Bill of rights will protect fair treatment [pdf], Adelaide Advertiser, 22 April 2008.
Rights bus unlikely to leave depot [pdf], Sydney Morning Herald, 22 April 2008.
Academic urges action on bill of rights for Aborigines [pdf], The Australian, 19 April 2008.
Bill of rights wrong (letters to the editor) [pdf], Sydney Morning Herald, 19 April 2008.
Charter on rights focus [pdf], Hobart Mercury, 19 April 2008.
A national charter of rights [pdf], Australian Financial Review (abstract), 18 April 2008.
Anti-terror laws mean we need a bill of rights [pdf], Ron Dyer, The Australian, 18 April 2008.
Right balance fits the bill [pdf], Rosalind Dixon, Australian Financial Review (abstract), 18 April 2008.
Sackville retires five years early with guns blazing [pdf], The Australian, 18 April 2008.
A question of human rights[pdf], Graeme Innes, The Age, 17 April 2008.
Christian lobby fears bill of rights [pdf], The Australian, 16 April 2008.
It's not necessary to involve the Courts on rights (letter to the editor) [pdf], The Australian,15 April 2008.
Alarmist tactics spark rift in ALP over rights bill [pdf], The Australian, 14 April 2008.
Youth list their demands to PM [pdf], The Australian, 14 April 2008.
Flaws in a charter [pdf], The Australian, 12 April 2008.
Human rights groups to argue for a charter, The Australian, 12 April 2008.
There are some adventures that even judges will not indulge [pdf], Jack Waterford, Canberra Times, 12 April 2008.
Bill of Rights makes a wrong [pdf], Gold Coast Bulletin, 12 April 2008.
Balanced consideration (letter to the editor) [pdf], Gabrielle McKinnon, The Australian, 12 April 2008.
Mad game to tinker with our great system [pdf] James Allan, The Australian, 12 April 2008.
Charter of rights won't fix society, The Australian 11 April 2008.
A-G rejects dangerous rights charter [pdf], Australian Financial Review (abstracts), 11 April 2008.
Bickering aside, we need a rights charter [pdf], The Australian, 4 April 2008.
Bill of rights to protect freedoms [pdf], Courier Mail, 4 April 2008.
Giving lawyers more power will cut our liberties [pdf], The Australian, 2 April 2008.
Charter of rights (letter to the editor) [pdf], The Australian, 14 March 2008.
Charter of Rights will make pollies more accountable [pdf], The Australian, 14 March 2008.
Brennan foresees Constitutional glitch with rights charter [pdf], The Australian, 14 March 2008.
Busting Myths about the need for our own Charter of Rights [pdf], John Hatzistergos, The Australian, 7 March 2008.
Pollies or judges to rule the roost?[pdf] James Allan, The Australian, 29 February 2008.
Under Labor elites will remain irrelevant [pdf] Janet Albrechtson, The Australian, 27 February 2008.
Judicial activism is a matter of opinion [pdf],(abstract) Australian Financial Review, 8 February 2008.
Don't give judges any more power [pdf], James Allan, The Australian, 7 February 2008.
Bill of rights could just mean a big bill [pdf], George Brandis, Australian Financial Review 1 February 2008, (abstract).
Rights of the homeless [pdf] Philip Lynch, the Age, 30 January 2008.
Protecting people [pdf] Helen Szoke, the Herald Sun, 28 Janaury 2008.
A Court short of answers [pdf], George Williams, The Australian, 26 January 2008.
Online pressure group writes wish list to Rudd [pdf], the Sydney Morning Herald, 23 January 2008.
Julian Burnside: A question of justice [pdf], the Advertiser 19 January 2008.
A social order Australia does not need [pdf], the Age, 16 January 2008.
Bill of rights on the cards, says Hulls [pdf], The Australian, 5 January 2008.
Another bundle of intrusions [pdf], Richard Ackland, the Sydney Morning Herald, 4 January 2008.
Overweening executive proves case for bill of rights[pdf] Crispin Hull, the Canberra Times, 29 December 2007.
Human Rights finally take centre stage [pdf] George Williams, The Australian, 14 December 2007.
Bill of Rights to put 'fair' back into 'fair dinkum'[pdf], Newcastle Herald, 10 December 2007.
Labor to push on with new Charter[pdf], Michael Pelly, The Australian, 7 December 2007.
Conservatives must join Charter of Rights discussion [pdf], Janet Albrechtsen, The Australian, 5 December 2007.
Do-it-yourself Charter to right future wrongs[pdf] Sydney Morning Herald, 1 December 2007.
Unions not the Enemy[pdf] - James Allan, The Australian, 20 November 2007.
Bill of rights call, Northern Territory News, 13 November 2007
Democrats highlight human rights (abstract), Financial Review, 13 November 2007
All quiet on big changes to our laws (abstract), Financial Review, 9 November 2007
Plenty of legal firepower as pro bono teams take aim, The Australian, 9 November 2007
2007 Great Legal Debate: Ruddock v Ludwig, Senator Joe Ludwig and former Attorney-General Philip Ruddock MP, published on Gilbert + Tobin Centre of Public Law website, 6 November 2007.
Lawyers support Bill of Rights (letter to the editor), The Advertiser, 15 October 2007
Rising threat to free speech - Canberra Times, 1 September 2007 [text of speech by Geoffrey Robertson QC on freedom of speech in Australia and the need for a bill of rights]
Bill of rights will slow drift to tyranny - Sydney Morning Herald, 31 August
Rights a casualty of terrorism, The Australian, 1 September 2007
It's right to right wrongs with a bill of rights, right?, Daily Telegraph, 1 September 2007
Bills of Rights do not protect freedoms, Former Attorney-General Phillip Ruddock, SMH, 31 August 2007.
Ruddock rejects rights charter, The West Australian, 27 April 2007
National charter of rights essential (Media Release), 27 April 2007
Beware, Charted waters can have murky depths, Janet Albrechtson, The Australian, 18 April 2007.
A human rights act for Australia?, Damien Carrick, Spencer Zivcak, James Allan, The Law Report, 22 August 2006.

Victoria's charter a blow to democracy [pdf], Janet Albrechtsen, The Australian (online), 10 October 2008
Church head in abortion debate [pdf], The Australian, 10 October 2008 [word]
A mockery of human rights [pdf], Herald Sun, 9 September 2008 [word]
My body, my right [pdf], Herald Sun, 9 October 2008 [word]
Rights charter to affect planning [pdf], The Age, 6 September 2008 [word]
Public roles, private lives [pdf], the Age, 4 August 2008 [word].
Victorian Charter on the Right Path – an Assessment of the First Eighteen Months, Philip Lynch, HRLRC Bulletin, July 2008.
Using the Victorian Charter to Redress Homelessness, Amy Barry-Macaulay, 2008.
GP tests Charter [pdf] Herald Sun, 26 June 2008 [word]
Justice for all, bar none,[pdf] Ben Schokman, the Age, 11 June 2008 [word]
Double Jeopardy (letter) [pdf] Jeremy Gans, Sunday Age, 8 June 2008 [word].
Parole row is looming on charter [pdf], Herald Sun, 5 June 2008 [word]
New sex offender laws run counter to rights charter [pdf] Sunday Age, 1 June 2008 [word]
Justice will prevail [pdf], Julian Burnside, Sunday Age, 18 May 2008 [word]
Human rights or a get out of jail free card? [pdf], Sunday Age, 11 May 2008 [word]
Court delays 'destroy rights' [pdf], The Age, 7 May 2008 [word]
Trial wait frees drug accused [pdf], The Herald Sun, 24 April 2008 [word]
Victoria turns spotlight on human rights[pdf], The Australian, 18 April 2008 [word]
Charter lifts human rights arguments [pdf], The Australian, 11 April 2008 [word]
Charters of Human Rights are profoundly democratic[pdf], Philip Lynch, the Age, 22 January 2008 [word]
Rights charter aids bail claim [pdf], the Age, 17 January 2008 [word]
Urban scrawl: shades of grey [pdf] the Age, 12 January 2008 [word]
Rights are all right [pdf], the Herald Sun, 11 January 2008 [word]
Charter cost may soar, Police back human rights move but warn of danger [pdf], the Herald Sun, 11 January 2008 [word].
Mokbel to use rights bill to claim trial 'unfair' [pdf] The Australian, 10 January 2008 [word]
Mokbel's new bid to escape [pdf] the Advertiser, 10 January 2008 [word]
Charter may help Mokbel beat local justice [pdf], Herald Sun, 10 January 2008 [word]
Lawyers eye off Charter breaches [pdf], Rick Wallace, The Australian, 9 January 2008 [word]
Exerting a moral force[pdf], Karen Kissane, the Age, 8 January 2008 [word]
Rights 'wronged by laws'[pdf], The Australian, 8 January 2008 [word]
A Charter we can celebrate [pdf], Hugh de Kretser, the Herald Sun, 7 January 2008 [word]
Bill of rights on the cards, says Hulls [pdf], The Australian, 5 January 2008 [word]
Lawyers picnic for your rights [pdf] Peter Faris, Herald Sun, 1 January 2008 [word]
Rights fight 'to clog courts' [pdf] Herald Sun, 1 January 2008[word]
Vic to act on human rights, Charter based on ACT law [pdf], Canberra Times, 29 December 2007 [word]
Charter protects rights, Victoria leads way[pdf], Herald Sun, 29 December 2007 [word]
Safeguarding the rights of all Victorians [pdf], Diane Sisely, the Age, 28 December 2007 [word]
Hulls glosses over the inconvenient truths [pdf] James Allan, The Australian, 14 December 2007[word]
Right to a fair go enshrined in law[pdf], Rob Hulls, The Australian, 10 December 2007 [word].
Victoria to be first state to adopt human rights charter[pdf] the Age, 8 December 2007[word].

ACTHRA
Sex slavery everywhere, writer warns [pdf], Canberra Times, 23 September 2008.
Mentally ill man jailed for 99 days, court told [pdf], Canberra Times, 18 September 2008.
Wrongly jailed drink-driver tells court of anguish [pdf], Canberra Times, 16 September 2008.
Human Rights Act used in compensation test case [pdf], Canberra Times, 9 September 2008.
Human Rights further entrenched in the ACT [pdf], media release, Attorney-General Simon Corbell, 4 March 2008.
Assembly debates Human Rights Bill [pdf], ABC news, 4 March 2008.
Amendment to ensure administration is brought to rights[pdf], Hilary Charlesworth and Gabrielle McKinnon, Canberra Times 25 February 2008.
Stanhope stands by anti-terror legislation - Canberra Times, 2 February 2006.
Charters of Human Rights are profoundly democratic[pdf], Philip Lynch, the Age, 22 January 2008.

Labor mimics US conservative spiel[pdf], David Marr, the Sydney Morning Herald, 17 April 2008.
Charter of Rights will make pollies more accountable [pdf], The Australian, 14 March 2008.
Bar Council resolution to recommend adoption of charter of rights for NSW, NSW Bar Association, March 2008.
Busting Myths about the need for our own Charter of Rights [pdf], John Hatzistergos, The Australian, 7 March 2008.

Our rights are under threat, Greg Barns, Hobart Mercury, 7 October 2008.
Charter of Rights Debate Welcome, Lara Giddings MP, Press Statement by Attorney-General, 6 October 2008.
Law and justice part company – Tasmanian Pulp Mill, Peter Henning, Online Opinion, 27 May 2008.
Pollies’ inertia stalls law reform actions, George Williams, Hobart Mercury, 8 April 2008.

Rights Act not best for unborn: lawyer [pdf] the West Australian, 23 July 2008.
Concern at human rights charter [pdf], The West Australian, 22 April 2008.
McGinty urged to push Charter [pdf] [word] The West Australian, 27 December 2007.
States rights bill falls to Federal Bill [pdf] [word] The West Australian, 21 December 2007.
McGinty shelves Human Rights Bill [pdf] [word] The West Australian, 21 December 2007.

Adjournment Speech on a National Charter of Human Rights, Speech in the House of Representatives, Canberra, The Hon. Mark Dreyfus QC, 3 September 2008.
The National Debate About a Charter of Rights & Responsibilities: Answering Some of the Critics, Justice Michael Kirby, 21 August 2008.
The Constitution, Good Government and Human Rights, Sir Gerard Brennan, Paper delivered at Human Rights Law Resource Centre Seminar, Melbourne, 12 March 2008
Cross party briefing on a proposed Human Rights Act: Creating a culture of human rights compliance, John von Doussa QC, speech delivered at Parliament House, Canberra, 28 February 2007.
Some Things Borrowed, Some Things New: An Overview of Judicial Review of Legislation under the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities, Priyanga Hettiarachi, (2007) 7(1) Oxford University Commonwealth Law Journal 61.
The Victorian Charter of Rights and Responsibilities and the ACT Human Rights Act: Four Key Differences and their Implications for Victoria, Simon Evans, Paper presented to The Australian Bills of Rights: The ACT and Beyond Conference, Canberra, 21 June 2006.
Administrative Law and Australian Bills of Rights, Carolyn Evans, Paper presented to The Australian Institute of Administrative Law Annual Forum, 14 June 2006.
What Difference will the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities make to the Victorian Public Service?, Simon Evans, Paper presented to Clayton Utz, Melbourne, 13 June 2006.
The Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities: Origin and Scope, George Williams, Melbourne University Law Review, Vol 30, 2006, 880-905.
The United Kingdom Experience, Francesca Klug, Comparative Perspectives on Bills of Rights, 2004.
The South African Bill of Rights: Lessons for Australia, Penelope Andrews, Comparative Perspectives on Bills of Rights, 2004.
A Bill of Rights: The New Zealand Experience, EW Thomas, Comparative Perspectives on Bills of Rights, 2004.
Hong Kong's Bill of Rights Experience and its (Ir)Relevance to the ACT Debate over a Bill of Rights, Andrew Byrnes, Comparative Perspectives on Bills of Rights, 2004.

Australia’s First Bill of Rights: Assessing the Impact of the ACT Human Rights Act 2004
Australian Human Rights Centre
Australian Human Rights Commission
Castan Centre for Human Rights Law
Centre for Comparative Constitutional Studies, University of Melbourne: Papers from the "Legislatures and the Protection of Human Rights" Conference
Charles Darwin University Symposium: Statehood and a Bill of Rights?, Thursday 10 May 2007.
Human Rights Act for Australia Campaign
Human Rights Law Resource Centre
Interights (international human rights)
Jumbunna, UTS: Indigenous peoples and an Australian Bill of Rights
Parliament of Australia, Parliamentary Library: Bill of Rights
Victorian Department of Justice
Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission