The Greens have called on Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and his Government to act quickly in response to the Human Rights Consultation Report, to set out a clear agenda protecting people's rights and to introduce a Human Rights Act.
Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, Greens spokesperson on Human Rights, says the Government must not dither over its response to the report, urging the Prime Minister to show the public that their human rights are protected by more than mere rhetoric.
"The Government must tell the public what it intends to do with these recommendations ahead of the election next year,'' Senator Hanson-Young said. "This report must not be left sitting in the in-tray until the Government deems it appropriate to deal with - we need a timetable now.''
"The response to the consultation - more than 35,000 submissions - shows that Australians are very concerned about the need for government protection of human rights.''
Of the 32,000 people who raised the issue of a charter of rights or Human Rights Act in their submissions, nearly 28,000 (87 per cent) were in favour.
"The government was clear from the beginning that a constitutional Bill of Rights was not allowed to be canvassed by the consultation committee,'' Senator Hanson-Young said. "As a result a Human Rights Act has clearly been embraced as the best alternative with overwhelming public support.''
While the wide-ranging report requires a measured response, some elements and recommendations are easy to satisfy.
The Greens believe the Federal Government should act quickly to ensure that Australia is signed up to all the main international human rights protocols and to provide for the first time a clear outline of what Australia stands for in human rights.
"The report has acknowledged that Australia has suffered from a lack of definition of what constitutes human rights, both for its citizens and other people,'' Senator Hanson-Young said.
"The Greens also believe the Federal Government has to show leadership and produce a plain language document that sets out its understanding of human rights for all to see.''