The ACT Government has today announced its commitment to creating a new pathway for complaints about a breach of the Human Rights Act to be made to the ACT Human Rights Commission.
The ACT is a leading jurisdiction in the protection and promotion of human rights.
Human Rights Minister Tara Cheyne said the work is part of the Government’s commitment to strengthening the culture of human rights across government and the community.
The Human Rights Commission plays an important role in promoting and upholding human rights in the ACT through community education, advice to government, and complaints handling.
This new pathway will enable a complaint about a breach of the Human Rights Act 2004 to be made to the Human Rights Commission for confidential conciliation.
“This reform will complement existing avenues for raising concerns under the Human Rights Act, including a standalone cause of action in the Supreme Court, by creating an accessible pathway for all members of the community,” Minister Cheyne said.
Legislation to give effect to this reform will be developed in early 2023.
This commitment forms part of the ACT Government’s formal response to the inquiry into Petition 32-21 known as No Rights Without Remedy, which was tabled in the ACT Legislative Assembly today.
Minister Cheyne thanked all those involved who championed the No Rights Without Remedy petition and participated in the subsequent inquiry by the Standing Committee.
“Protecting our human rights is everyone’s business.This ongoing engagement with our human rights legislation is a positive and welcome sign of the mature human rights culture in the ACT.
“I look forward to developing this new human rights complaint pathway with the community’s valuable input next year,” Minister Cheyne said.
