The report argues that debate about and consideration of a Human Rights Act should not be allowed to delay action to improve the quality of economic and social rights of those Australians who are most disadvantaged. The Committee finds there has been a tendency for supporters and detractors of the Victorian and ACT models to overstate the models’ achievements and their shortcomings. A Human Rights Act on its own will not mend the largest holes in the quilt of Australian rights protection, but that is no reason to oppose such an Act.

On 10 December 2008 the Federal Government asked the Committee to conduct a nationwide Consultation with the aim of finding out which human rights and responsibilities should be protected and promoted in Australia, whether human rights are sufficiently protected and promoted, and how Australia could better protect and promote human rights.

The Committee travelled the length and breadth of the country to seek the community’s views. Thousands of people participated in the Consultation, by attending community roundtables, by presenting submissions, by appearing at public hearings, and in other ways.

This report sets out the primary points the community raised in relation to the protection and promotion of human rights and identifies a number of options for the Federal Government to consider. The advantages and disadvantages of these options are examined, and the Committee makes findings and recommendations in relation to what it learnt during the Consultation.