Civil Liberties Australia

Support for a Human Rights Act for Australia is now solidified on the ALP election platform. Parliament should pass an Australian ‘rights' law ASAP before handing down a greater national ‘responsibilities’ education scheme in late-2027, after the Bell Royal Commission into Social Cohesion and Antisemitism reports in December 2026. More than 75% of Australians support legislating a Human Rights Act. 

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This month’s ALP election platform conference will be asked to change just one word to hasten legislating a Human Rights Act for Australia. Read all about how we got to this pivotal time after nine years of intensive efforts…and we list the rights you’re likely to get. There’s news of efforts gathering momentum in NSW and SA in particular for their own HRAs, as Tasmania also pressures the state government to take action. ASIO scarer-in-chief Michael Burgess leads the bad acting in his annual press pantomime. And even the police union lays into Queensland’s hard right – but wrong – Crassafulli government. 

As states and territories plump more and more for harsh new ‘law and order’ legislation, and curtail bail options, the number of prison places needed through the nation is likely to surge dramatically. Private prison operators have sometimes been seen as a solution to curbing jail running costs…but are such companies as efficient and effective and humane as claimed? Rick Sarre takes a look.

Australia’s chances of gaining a Human Rights Act within 18 months have suddenly risen sharply as the newly-released draft Labor Party platform – a document reflecting the wishes of ALP members nationwide – specifically calls for the Albanese government to seriously “consider” enacting a federal HRA. July’s party conference in Adelaide could see the polite request translate into firmer and faster proposed action as official Labor policy.