Page 4818 - Week 15 - Thursday, 8 December 1994
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The rights of people who have been arrested, detained or charged are also set out. This Bill lays down minimum standards of criminal procedure which are necessary to ensure a fair trial and provides that people who are hearing-impaired or who have language difficulties have a right to an interpreter. The Bill also provides that every person is entitled to equality before the law, to freedom from discrimination, to education and to privacy. The rights of children are set out in detail, as are certain rights of Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders. These were developed in consultation with the Chief Minister's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee.
The rights and freedoms set out in the Bill can be limited by law, but only where this is justifiable in a free and democratic society. This will allow the balancing of the rights of the individual with the interests of society as a whole. The Bill will be used by courts to interpret legislation. It cannot be used to strike down laws or regulations. The Attorney-General is also given the responsibility of notifying the Assembly if any proposed law - be it a government Bill or a private members Bill - infringes the Bill of Rights.
Madam Speaker, the Bill of Rights Bill 1994 was drafted after consulting the people of this community and draws on the experience of other countries with Bills of Rights. Once again, the ACT community is asked to give its views - this time on a draft Bill. Madam Speaker, with World Human Rights Day coming up in December, it gives me great pride, as a member of a progressive Labor government, in my last significant statement to this Assembly, to finally introduce into an Australian parliament something that has been a dream of the Labor movement for a very long time. The late Lionel Murphy introduced similar legislation in the Senate in the early 1970s, which failed to go through the process. Gareth Evans introduced similar legislation later, in the 1980s, which failed to see the light of day. I am confident that next year this re-elected Labor Government will enact a Bill of Rights for the first time in Australia.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
HEALTH GOALS AND TARGETS FOR THE YEAR 2000
Final Report
MR CONNOLLY (Attorney-General and Minister for Health) (3.44): Madam Speaker, for the information of members, I present the final report of ACT Health Goals and Targets for the Year 2000. I move:
That the Assembly takes note of the paper.
In the interests of time, I seek leave to have my tabling statement incorporated in Hansard.
Leave granted.
Statement incorporated at Appendix 4.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
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