CLA outlines answers for Bellโ€™s Bondi RC

Civil Liberties Australia has contributed a positive, forward-looking submission to the Virginia Bell (photo) Royal Commission into antisemitism and social cohesion, including the massacre at Bondi Beach. Analysing in detail when, how and why Australians have lost trust in government, CLA proposes civics education about citizens’ national rights and responsibilities. Simultaneously, this would be underpinned by a bill of rights giving people quicker and easier ways to challenge politicians’ or public servantsโ€™ abuse of their powers, like what happened under Robodebt and during the COVID pandemic panic of 5-10 years ago.

CLArion March โ€™26: Push ramps up as deadline nears

Australia may be only months away from a Bill of rights โ€“ a Human Rights Act โ€“ being tabled in the Australian Parliament, to operate from late 2027. The Albanese government plans a massive ‘civics ย and social cohesionโ€™ education program from next year. To underpin the rhetoric and propaganda, a Human Rights Act is mandatory to give citizens practical powers to enforce their responsibilities and rights as Australians they will learn about. A law which binds politicians, bureaucrats and people to โ€˜fair goโ€™ principles in all dealings with each other is the critical link to a better society, missing since the Constitution was drafted 130 years ago.

Other articles this month include:

  • 50,000signatures petition is ready to go before Parliament, calling for national HRA;
  • Two more states push for their own HRAs, covering state laws;
  • Tenants show how HRA can protect their housing rights;
  • Forum gathers to promote Criminal Cases Review Commission for Australia;
  • Kids and Aborigines come in for special targeting;
  • SNF case back before Parliament again: when will Tasmania fix their mess?ย 
  • Shenanigans continue in Frontiersville NT over chippies and big-brimmed Administrator;
  • UK forensics in dire straits, hindering the chances of achieving justice in courts.

CLArion Feb 2026: โ€˜Bill of rightsโ€™ support rises again

More Australians than ever before support a โ€˜bill of rightsโ€™ โ€“ officially a legislated Human Rights Act โ€“ for the nation. Some 76% do (up 3%) in the latest survey (results announced publicly soon). Meanwhile, the worldโ€™s nations, through the UN, have called on the Australian government to implement widespread social justice reforms, including a national HRA. Doing so would give us the โ€˜fair goโ€™ we all want, and guarantee the right to free speech, which Australians currently do NOT have in legislation or in the Constitution.ย 

CLArion Dec 2025: 2026 is Year of Human Rights for Oz

From Australia Day in January 2026, other nations will start applying pressure in the UN Human Rights Council, under the quarterly Universal Periodic Review process, for Australia to legislate a Human Rights Act (HRA). Within Australia, Independent MPs like David Pocock and Andrew Wilkie, along with Teals and Greens โ€“ at least briefly back in some favour with Labor and the PM for backing environmental laws โ€“ will increase public support for a HRA ahead of a whispered deal deadline of 30 Juneโ€ฆso 2026 is emerging as the Year of Human Rights for Australia.