Human Rights Act door still swinging

07 June 2010We knew from the beginning that a Human Rights Act would be a big ask, writes Frank Brennan in Eureka Street

WHEN the Rudd Government announced its Human Rights Framework in response to the National Human Rights Consultation, I described it as a welcome though incomplete addition to protection of human rights in Australia. Many human rights activists have been very despairing about the government's response. I am more sanguine. Let me explain.

Our report contained 31 recommendations, 17 of which did not relate to a Human Rights Act. We knew from the beginning that it would be a big ask for a Rudd style government to propose a Human Rights Act. After all, the Coalition was implacably opposed; the Government does not control the Senate; and the Labor Party is split on the issue with some of its old warhorses like Bob Carr being...

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