It is not surprising that the anti-democratic Hodgman government has used its numbers to block moves to establish the long-overdue legislated Tasmanian Charter of Rights and Responsibilities, Greens Leader Kim Booth MP said today.
“There is no good reason for any government which claims to operate democratically to fear or block a legislated Charter of Rights,” Mr Booth said.
“The Hodgman government’s decision to block this move to introduce a state Charter of Rights exposes just how far the Liberals want to hide from accountability and scrutiny over their attacks on Tasmanians’ civil liberties and democratic freedoms.”
“As a US Republican Senator said recently, ‘a Bill of Rights isn’t for the high school quarterback or the prom queen… The Bill of Rights is for those who are unpopular.’” [1]
“Under this Liberal government there are many sectors of the community who risk finding themselves on the ‘unpopular’ list, such as those targeted by the contentious anti-protest Bill.”
“It was very telling that debate on the draconian anti-protest Bill was underway at the same time the Liberals were voting to block protecting the cultural, social and economic rights of Tasmanians.
Clearly they are scared that should this odious Bill be tested against a Charter of Rights it would fail.”
“A Charter of Rights would require the government of the day to own up and take responsibility for, and to justify, any proposed new legislation or policy which may impact upon Tasmanians’ civil liberties and human rights. This Hodgman government does not have the stomach for such transparency or accountability.”
“I appreciate and thank the Labor party for voting in support of the Greens’ motion to progress the introduction of a legislated state Charter of Rights and Responsibilities,” Mr Booth said.
[1] US Senator Rand Paul in Time magazine, 27 October 2014; pg 34.
Kim Booth MP | Greens Leader
