CLEAR DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PARTIES ON HUMAN RIGHTS ACT
CAMPAIGNERS VOW TO EDUCATE LIBS ON NEED FOR HUMAN RIGHTS PROTECTIONS
A pre-election survey about a Tasmanian Human Rights Act shows clear differences between the parties.
The group campaigning for a Tasmanian Human Rights Act asked all candidates for their views on such an Act, as recommended by the Tasmanian Law Reform Commission in 2007.
Spokesperson for the Human Rights Act campaign, Robin Banks, said,
“Tasmanians who support better protections for human rights are keen to know where the parties stand.”
Responses were received from the three major parties.
Both the Greens and Labor committed to a Human Rights Act with the Liberals saying human rights are already sufficiently protected.
The Greens said that, as well as legislating a Charter of Rights, they would establish a Human Rights Commission, whereas Labor said it will set up a Premier’s advisory panel to determine what form a Human Rights Act should take.
“The differences between the parties are very clear and now our priority now is to get this information out to all those who support human rights and as widely as possible”, Ms Banks said.
“We are disappointed the Liberal Party hasn’t endorsed a Human Rights Act and has given reasons for this position that were thoroughly debunked by the Tasmanian Law Reform Commission in its 2007 report.”
“Regardless of who wins government on Saturday, we will turn our attention to educating Liberal members about the importance of a Human Rights Act and why their reasons for not supporting such an Act don’t stand up to scrutiny.”
Copies of all three party responses are included as attachments. These are also available online at: https://www.tashumanrightsact.org/tasmanian-election-candidate-survey-2018
Spokesperson for the Human Rights Act campaign, Robin Banks
