A Bill of Rights would protect the rights and liberties of minorities, including non-citizens and those who are otherwise powerless (State Library of NSW 2005, p.9). As discussed previously, human rights laws in Australia can be inadequate. There are current examples of individuals and classes of people that are affected by shortfalls in rights protection such as refugees, indigenous Australians and terror suspects. These minorities also frequently encounter “problems dealing with government departments and agencies” (Carrick 2010, pp. 79-84). It is envisioned that a Bill of Rights would strengthen the powers and oversight of agencies such as the Human Rights Commission and the Ombudsman to “protect and promote the interests of disadvantaged groups, who normally lack the resources and clout needed to lobby governments effectively” (Barry & Campbell 2011, p. 81).
…show more content…
Australia has also drawn criticism for the effects on children in detention and its obligations not only under the Refugee Convention, but also the Convention on the Rights of the Child (Carrick 2010, p. 80). Entrusted people such as doctors and teachers face penalties of up to two years for providing information to journalists about conditions in immigration detention centres under the Border Force Act (Whyte 2015). Clearly, Australia does not provide “refugees with a genuine and effective judicial review of the substantive necessity of detention” as required by article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Saul 2012, p. 729). The White Australia Policy is another example of an immigration practice where human rights have been violated due to racist policy (Williams 2001, p.
Australia has also drawn criticism for the effects on children in detention and its obligations not only under the Refugee Convention, but also the Convention on the Rights of the Child (Carrick 2010, p. 80). Entrusted people such as doctors and teachers face penalties of up to two years for providing information to journalists about conditions in immigration detention centres under the Border Force Act (Whyte 2015). Clearly, Australia does not provide “refugees with a genuine and effective judicial review of the substantive necessity of detention” as required by article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Saul 2012, p. 729). The White Australia Policy is another example of an immigration practice where human rights have been violated due to racist policy (Williams 2001, p.