Right: Former NSW Premier Bob Carr is one of many politicians who believes Australia is better off without a Bill of Rights.
web links and documents
Internet informationOn June 10, 2008, ABC Radio's The Law Report broadcast a program presenting a range of experts giving differing opinions as to whether Australia should adopt a charter of human rights. A full transcript of this program can be found at http://www.abc.net.au/rn/lawreport/stories/2008/2266908.htm
George Williams is the Anthony Mason Professor and Director of the Gilbert and Tobin Centre of Public Law at the Faculty of Law, University of New South Wales. The Online Opinion site published Professor Williams' views in an article titled 'Getting a Bill of Rights into the national conversation' on August 25, 2006. Professor Williams argued that the introduction of a Charter of Human Rights in Victoria might act as a prelude to the adoption of a federal charter of rights. The text of this article can be found at http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=4837
On April 4, 2008, Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission published a speech titled, 'Indigenous Rights and the debate over a Charter of Rights in Australia'
Given by Mr Tom Calma, The National Race Commissioner and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner. In this speech Mr Calma argues that a national charter of rights has the capacity to improve the situation of aboriginal Australians. The full text of this speech can be found at http://www.hrlrc.org.au/files/WG3TIONY2I/Tom%20Calma%20Speech%20for%20Human%20Rights%20Dinner.pdf
On May 8, 2008, The Sydney Morning Herald published an opinion piece by Richard Ackland titled 'Horror stories unfairly bedevil charter of rights'. The article argues that many of the negative claims made about a federal charter of rights are either inaccurate or exaggerated. The full text of this article can be found at http://www.smh.com.au/news/richard-ackland/horror-stories-unfairly-bedevil-charter-of-rights/2008/05/08/1210131163034.html
On April 30, 2007, The Sydney Morning Herald published an opinion piece by former New South Wales premier Bob Carr. Mr Carr's piece is titled, 'Democracy thrives in a free press and politics, not in the judiciary'. In this commentary the former premier highlights a number of faults he believes are part of a charter of rights. The full text of this article can be found at http://www.smh.com.au/news/opinion/democracy-thrives-in-a-free-press-and-politics-not-in-thejudiciary/2007/04/29/1177787967085.html
On September 26, 2005, The Sydney Morning Herald published on opinion piece by James Allan, Garrick Professor of Law at Queensland University. Professor Allan is a Canadian and in this opinion piece he argues that Australia's lack of a bill of rights is to its advantages. He criticises the operation of the charter of rights Canada has adopted. The full text of Professor Allan's opinion can be found at http://www.smh.com.au/news/opinion/lets-draw-a-line-through-a-bill-of-rights/2005/09/25/1127586742586.html
On June 1, 2008, the Brisbane Institute published an opinion piece written by Cardinal George Pell. The piece is titled, 'Four Fictions: An Argument Against a Charter of Rights'. The piece looks at four main arguments often offered in support of a charter of human rights and attempts to demonstrate that these arguments are faulted. The full text of this opinion piece can be found at http://www.brisinst.org.au/issue-details.php?article_id=215