Human rights scrutiny begins

All laws passed by federal parliament must comply with human rights obligations as part of legislation which takes effect on Wednesday.

The Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011 will require any MP who puts forward a bill to complete a statement of compatibility for human rights.

The statement will assess the bill against each of the seven main United Nations treaties to which Australia is a party.

Each bill will then go before a new parliamentary joint committee which will be set up specifically to scrutinise legislation for consistency with human rights.

The committee is expected to operate as other parliamentary committees do at present.

If the committee decides that a bill is inconsistent with human rights it would be up to the member or party moving it to make any changes.

Attorney-General Nicola Roxon said on Wednesday the new legislation will mean that human rights will come under a sharper focus in parliament this year.

"Our focus is on ensuring that key principles of freedom, respect, equality, dignity and a fair go for all Australians are considered in everything the Commonwealth Parliament does," Ms Roxon said in a statement.

"This important step is part of Australia's Human Rights Framework and will give the community confidence that their human rights are being recognised and respected in everything the parliament does."

Ms Roxon said ensuring that new laws have considered the protection and promotion of human rights is long overdue.

The human rights legislation passed through parliament in November and received Royal Assent in December.

It was criticised by the Opposition's legal affairs spokesman George Brandis who said it was a radical change in Australian law.


(2012-01-04/news.ninemsn)