The Case for a Charter of Rights in Australia

Explore the compelling case for implementing a Charter of Rights in Australia in this thought-provoking Dean's Lecture from the University of Melbourne. Delve into Australia's recent failures to protect fundamental freedoms and comply with international human rights obligations. Examine how the country has become isolated from global human rights laws and jurisprudence, leading to struggles in courts, parliamentary oversight, and media integrity. Investigate pressing issues such as indigenous recognition, imprisonment rates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, indefinite detention of asylum seekers, and social problems like domestic violence and elder abuse. Learn why Australia, as the only democracy without a Bill or Charter of Rights, urgently needs a federally legislated Charter to benchmark laws and government actions against common law and human rights treaties. Gain insights from Emeritus Professor Gillian Triggs, former President of the Australian Human Rights Commission, as she presents a compelling argument for adopting a dialogue model Charter of Rights to address these critical concerns and realign Australia with international human rights standards.

Introduction
Welcome
Do we have a constitution
We dont know enough
Australia as a good international citizen
Australia as a committed international citizen
The Tampa crisis
Executive power
Whistleblowers
Operation Fortitude
National Audit Office
Papua New Guinea
International treaties
The emerging gulf
A mistake
Good stories
Charter of Rights
Bill of Rights
Human Rights Scrutiny Committee
A better tale