MEDIA RELEASE: Greens introduce bill for a NSW Human Rights Act

Greens NSW spokesperson for Human Rights and Member for Newtown Jenny Leong MP has today given notice of a Private Member’s Bill to establish a Human Rights Act in NSW and welcomed comments from the Attorney General that NSW Labor is “open to considering the issue and working constructively” with The Greens.

A Human Rights Act would provide a holistic alternative to a patchwork approach to reform and ensure stronger legal protections for fundamental rights such as housing, freedom of protest, and education. 

Greens NSW Human Rights spokesperson and Member for Newtown Jenny Leong MP said: 

"The NSW Government cannot be trusted when it comes to protecting and promoting human rights for people in our state - which is why it is time for the Parliament to act and why we are today giving notice of a Bill to introduce a Human Rights Act for NSW. 

“From decimating our right to protest to extending hate speech protections for only a select few and ramming through bail laws that disproportionately impact First Nations kids, the NSW Government is playing fast and loose with our human rights - and playing straight into the hands of the right-wing fringe who wants to promote division and erode our democracy. 

“Our communities deserve better than ad hoc, reactive reform that offers nothing beyond more criminalisation, more policing and more political spin: we need a NSW Human Rights Act that clearly sets out and protects equality and dignity for everyone - including rights to essentials like housing and education.  

“The Attorney-General's response in Question Time today that he and the government are “open to considering the issue” is a welcome first step. Over the coming months I look forward to working alongside the Attorney General and the broad coalition of civil society organisations who support a Human Rights Act for NSW and with parliamentary colleagues across the chamber to deliver on this long-overdue reform.” 

“As the political landscape tilts increasingly to the authoritarian right, a proactive vision for defending and extending human rights is more urgent than ever - that’s why the Greens are taking the first step today to enshrine protection for civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights in NSW law."