Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR)

As you know the federal government is currently considering its response to the Brennan Committee report and that there has been extensive discussion within the ALP caucus and some consideration by Ministers. We have been told that a number of organisations opposed to a human rights act have been inundating their local members with emails. We are particularly concerned that a number of conservative religious groups are stating that churches and faith based groups oppose the enactment of a human rights act. We know that is not the case and that there are many faith based groups in favour of a human rights act. We are asking you to help counter this misinformation by writing to your local MP or Senator immediately stating your support for a human rights act. If you have a mailing list or a number of members then please forward this email to them. Here are some main points you could include in your email or letter: The Brennan report records overwhelming community support for a human rights act. 87% of submissions were in favour, and the polling reveals 57% in support and only 13% against. Other research, especially Amnesty International's, affirms that most Australians want their basic rights protected in law. Brennan's proposal for an act covering civil and political rights would apply to the Commonwealth and its agencies. It would not apply to NGOs, churches or other organisations outside the Commonwealth. If the parliament wished a law to override the human rights act, that decision would need to be made explicit. The High Court could otherwise find that an action of the Commonwealth was inconsistent with the human rights act. Parliament would then reconsider the matter but the court could not change or strike down inconsistent laws. ALHR supports the Brennan approach because it would change for the better the way the bureaucracy deals with vulnerable people. It would require greater and more consistent focus by the parliament on human rights. Opponents claim that the Brennan proposal would interfere with church employment practices. As churches are not to be covered by the act, this claim is wrong. Many church bodies support an act and made public submissions to that effect: the Uniting Church , the National Anglican Synod, the St Vincent de Paul Society, and the Sisters of Mercy among others. Cardinal Pell's opposition to an act was not the position taken by the Australian Bishops Conference (which was neutral) It is vital that all MPs receive messages now that support implementation of the Brennan report, and point out the groundless nature of the fears being expressed. Materials, including a Briefing Paper on a Human Rights Act, a summary of the report's key findings and recommendations, and the HRLRC submissions to the Consultation, are available at: http://www.hrlrc.org.au/content/topics/national-human-rights-consultation/act-now-a-human-rights-act-for-australia/ Please send messages, by email, fax, phone or in person, in support of a human rights act to your local MP or Senator. Here is an online list of MPs: List of Members, Vol 72, 16 November 2009 http://www.aph.gov.au/house/members/memlist.pdf Here is an online list of Senators Senators' Parliament House and State/Territory addresses, phone and fax numbers http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/senators/contacts/los.htm Or fill out a "Contact Form" with your comment to the following MPs. Adelaide, SA Ellis, The Hon Kate, Member for Adelaide Aston, Vic Pearce, The Hon Chris, Member for Aston Ballarat, Vic King, Ms Catherine, Member for Ballarat Banks, NSW Melham, Mr Daryl, Member for Banks Barker, SA Secker, Mr Patrick, Member for Barker Barton, NSW McClelland, The Hon Robert, Member for Barton Bass, Tas Campbell, Ms Jodie, Member for Bass Batman, Vic Ferguson, The Hon Martin, Member for Batman Bendigo, Vic Gibbons, Mr Steve, Member for Bendigo Bennelong, NSW McKew, The Hon Maxine, Member for Bennelong Berowra, NSW Ruddock, The Hon Philip, Member for Berowra Blair, Qld Neumann, Mr Shayne, Member for Blair Blaxland, NSW Clare, The Hon Jason, Member for Blaxland Bonner, Qld Rea, Ms Kerry, Member for Bonner Boothby, SA Southcott, Dr Andrew, Member for Boothby Bowman, Qld Laming, Mr Andrew, Member for Bowman Braddon, Tas Sidebottom, Mr Sid, Member for Braddon Bradfield, NSW Vacant - a by-election is to be held on Saturday, 5 December 2009. See the Australian Electoral Commission website for more information. Brand, WA Gray, The Hon Gary, Member for Brand Brisbane, Qld Bevis, The Hon Arch, Member for Brisbane Bruce, Vic Griffin, The Hon Alan, Member for Bruce Calare, NSW Cobb, The Hon John, Member for Calare Calwell, Vic Vamvakinou, Ms Maria, Member for Calwell Canberra, ACT Ellis, Ms Annette, Member for Canberra Canning, WA Randall, Mr Don, Member for Canning Capricornia, Qld Livermore, Ms Kirsten, Member for Capricornia Casey, Vic Smith, The Hon Tony, Member for Casey Charlton, NSW Combet, The Hon Greg, Member for Charlton Chifley, NSW Price, The Hon Roger, Member for Chifley Chisholm, Vic Burke, Ms Anna, Member for Chisholm Cook, NSW Morrison, Mr Scott, Member for Cook Corangamite, Vic Cheeseman, Mr Darren, Member for Corangamite Corio, Vic Marles, The Hon Richard, Member for Corio Cowan, WA Simpkins, Mr Luke, Member for Cowan Cowper, NSW Hartsuyker, Mr Luke, Member for Cowper Cunningham, NSW Bird, Ms Sharon, Member for Cunningham Curtin, WA Bishop, The Hon Julie, Member for Curtin Dawson, Qld Bidgood, Mr James, Member for Dawson Deakin, Vic Symon, Mr Mike, Member for Deakin Denison, Tas Kerr, The Hon Duncan, Member for Denison Dickson, Qld Dutton, The Hon Peter, Member for Dickson Dobell, NSW Thomson, Mr Craig, Member for Dobell Dunkley, Vic Billson, The Hon Bruce, Member for Dunkley Eden-Monaro, NSW Kelly, The Hon Dr Mike, Member for Eden-Monaro Fadden, Qld Robert, Mr Stuart, Member for Fadden Fairfax, Qld Somlyay, The Hon Alexander, Member for Fairfax Farrer, NSW Ley, The Hon Sussan, Member for Farrer Fisher, Qld Slipper, The Hon Peter, Member for Fisher Flinders, Vic Hunt, The Hon Greg, Member for Flinders Flynn, Qld Trevor, Mr Chris, Member for Flynn Forde, Qld Raguse, Mr Brett, Member for Forde Forrest, WA Marino, Ms Nola, Member for Forrest Fowler, NSW Irwin, Mrs Julia, Member for Fowler Franklin, Tas Collins, Ms Julie, Member for Franklin Fraser, ACT McMullan, Mr Bob, Member for Fraser Fremantle, WA Parke, Ms Melissa, Member for Fremantle Gellibrand, Vic Roxon, The Hon Nicola, Member for Gellibrand Gilmore, NSW Gash, Mrs Joanna, Member for Gilmore Gippsland, Vic Chester, Mr Darren, Member for Gippsland Goldstein, Vic Robb, The Hon Andrew, Member for Goldstein Gorton, Vic O'Connor, The Hon Brendan, Member for Gorton Grayndler, NSW Albanese, The Hon Anthony, Member for Grayndler Greenway, NSW Markus, Mrs Louise, Member for Greenway Grey, SA Ramsey, Mr Rowan, Member for Grey Griffith, Qld Rudd, The Hon Kevin, Member for Griffith Groom, Qld Macfarlane, The Hon Ian, Member for Groom Hasluck, WA Jackson, Ms Sharryn, Member for Hasluck Herbert, Qld Lindsay, The Hon Peter, Member for Herbert Higgins, Vic Vacant - a by-election is to be held on Saturday, 5 December 2009. See the Australian Electoral Commission website for more information. Hindmarsh, SA Georganas, Mr Steve, Member for Hindmarsh Hinkler, Qld Neville, Mr Paul, Member for Hinkler Holt, Vic Byrne, The Hon Anthony, Member for Holt Hotham, Vic Crean, The Hon Simon, Member for Hotham Hughes, NSW Vale, The Hon Danna, Member for Hughes Hume, NSW Schultz, Mr Alby, Member for Hume Hunter, NSW Fitzgibbon, The Hon Joel, Member for Hunter Indi, Vic Mirabella, Mrs Sophie, Member for Indi Isaacs, Vic Dreyfus, Mr Mark, Member for Isaacs Jagajaga, Vic Macklin, The Hon Jenny, Member for Jagajaga Kalgoorlie, WA Haase, Mr Barry, Member for Kalgoorlie Kennedy, Qld Katter, The Hon Bob, Member for Kennedy Kingsford Smith, NSW Garrett, The Hon Peter, Member for Kingsford Smith Kingston, SA Rishworth, Ms Amanda, Member for Kingston Kooyong, Vic Georgiou, Mr Petro, Member for Kooyong La Trobe, Vic Wood, Mr Jason, Member for La Trobe Lalor, Vic Gillard, The Hon Julia, Member for Lalor Leichhardt, Qld Turnour, Mr Jim, Member for Leichhardt Lilley, Qld Swan, The Hon Wayne, Member for Lilley Lindsay, NSW Bradbury, Mr David, Member for Lindsay Lingiari, NT Snowdon , The Hon Warren, Member for Lingiari Longman, Qld Sullivan, Mr Jon, Member for Longman Lowe, NSW Murphy, The Hon John, Member for Lowe Lyne, NSW Oakeshott, Mr Robert, Member for Lyne Lyons, Tas Adams, The Hon Dick, Member for Lyons Macarthur, NSW Farmer, The Hon Pat, Member for Macarthur Mackellar, NSW Bishop, The Hon Bronwyn, Member for Mackellar Macquarie, NSW Debus, The Hon Bob, Member for Macquarie Makin, SA Zappia, Mr Tony, Member for Makin Mallee, Vic Forrest, Mr John, Member for Mallee Maranoa, Qld Scott, The Hon Bruce, Member for Maranoa Maribyrnong, Vic Shorten, The Hon Bill, Member for Maribyrnong Mayo, SA Briggs, Mr Jamie, Member for Mayo McEwen, Vic Bailey, The Hon Fran, Member for McEwen McMillan, Vic Broadbent, Mr Russell, Member for McMillan McPherson, Qld May, Mrs Margaret, Member for McPherson Melbourne, Vic Tanner, The Hon Lindsay, Member for Melbourne Melbourne Ports, Vic Danby, Mr Michael, Member for Melbourne Ports Menzies, Vic Andrews, The Hon Kevin, Member for Menzies Mitchell, NSW Hawke, Mr Alex, Member for Mitchell Moncrieff, Qld Ciobo, Mr Steven, Member for Moncrieff Moore, WA Washer, Dr Mal, Member for Moore Moreton, Qld Perrett, Mr Graham, Member for Moreton Murray, Vic Stone, The Hon Dr Sharman, Member for Murray New England, NSW Windsor , Mr Tony, Member for New England Newcastle, NSW Grierson, Ms Sharon, Member for Newcastle North Sydney, NSW Hockey, The Hon Joe, Member for North Sydney O'Connor, WA Tuckey, The Hon Wilson, Member for O'Connor Oxley, Qld Ripoll, Mr Bernie, Member for Oxley Page, NSW Saffin, Ms Janelle, Member for Page Parkes, NSW Coulton, Mr Mark, Member for Parkes Parramatta, NSW Owens, Ms Julie, Member for Parramatta Paterson, NSW Baldwin, The Hon Bob, Member for Paterson Pearce, WA Moylan, The Hon Judi, Member for Pearce Perth, WA Smith, The Hon Stephen, Member for Perth Petrie, Qld D'Ath, Mrs Yvette, Member for Petrie Port Adelaide, SA Butler , The Hon Mark, Member for Port Adelaide Prospect, NSW Bowen, The Hon Chris, Member for Prospect Rankin, Qld Emerson, The Hon Dr Craig, Member for Rankin Reid, NSW Ferguson , The Hon Laurie, Member for Reid Richmond, NSW Elliot, The Hon Justine, Member for Richmond Riverina, NSW Hull , Mrs Kay, Member for Riverina Robertson, NSW Neal, Ms Belinda, Member for Robertson Ryan, Qld Johnson, Mr Michael, Member for Ryan Scullin, Vic Jenkins, Mr Harry, Member for Scullin Shortland, NSW Hall, Ms Jill, Member for Shortland Solomon, NT Hale, Mr Damian, Member for Solomon Stirling, WA Keenan, Mr Michael, Member for Stirling Sturt, SA Pyne, The Hon Christopher, Member for Sturt Swan, WA Irons, Mr Steve, Member for Swan Sydney, NSW Plibersek, The Hon Tanya, Member for Sydney Tangney, WA Jensen, Dr Dennis, Member for Tangney Throsby, NSW George, Ms Jennie, Member for Throsby Wakefield, SA Champion, Mr Nick, Member for Wakefield Wannon, Vic Hawker, The Hon David, Member for Wannon Warringah, NSW Abbott, The Hon Tony, Member for Warringah Watson, NSW Burke, The Hon Tony, Member for Watson Wentworth, NSW Turnbull, The Hon Malcolm, Member for Wentworth Werriwa, NSW Hayes, Mr Chris, Member for Werriwa Wide Bay, Qld Truss, The Hon Warren, Member for Wide Bay Wills, Vic Thomson, Mr Kelvin, Member for Wills Other ways to look for your local MP: see http://www.aph.gov.au/house/members/index.htm

For ALHR's submission to the inquiry into the migration treatment of disability to the Joint Standing Committee on Migration, see: http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/mig/disability/subs/sub011.pdf

Register now for Breaking Down Boundaries! Are you passionate about social justice or interested in the future landscape of the law? Do you want to hear addresses from leaders in Australia's legal and political sectors? Do you want access to exclusive careers events, with representatives from the corporate, government, NGO, media and community legal centre sectors? Do you want to meet law students and recent graduates from around Australia? Then you should register for Breaking Down Boundaries! Breaking Down Boundaries is an intervarsity social justice conference packed with opportunities to learn, debate, network and be inspired. This year, the conference will be hosted by the Sydney University Law School, with all attendees residing at the Women's College. With the theme 'New Frontiers', expect a jam-packed programme focused on contemporary, cutting-edge legal issues with keynote addressees by the Commonwealth Attorney-General Robert McClelland and the President of the Australian Human Rights Commission, Catherine Branson QC. Registration also includes a very special formal dinner with the Hon Michael Kirby AC CMG! All this plus social events, interactive workshops and more! For more information visit www.breakingdownboundaries.org Where: Sydney Law School and Women's College When: December 4-6, 2009 How much: $220 (plus 2% booking fee) How to register: Visit www.breakingdownboundaries.org