You are exactly the reason I could never support a bill of rights in this country, yes the concept of a bill of rights is a lovely little concept. However, the proposed version of a bill of rights on the democrats website is terrible.

Want to see a real bill of rights? go to America.

The concerted attacks upon an advocate of human rights demonstrates just how fearful conservatives can be. For their can be no other explanation for denigrating a person who wishes to protect others from unjust persecution and/or imprisonment, torture, or denial of the freedoms these cowards enjoy.
Leigh doesn't like 'minorities' interfering with governments. But governments are minorities who have perverted the role of Parliament and are no longer accountable to it or the people. DIMIA is not just bungling and dysfunctional, it was set up as a repressive regime which perverts or ignores legislative restraints and rights of people in its control.
Dinhaan says Australia does not need 'such nonsense'. We are more in need of enforceable rights than any time since federation. When governments try to ram through laws providing for secret house arrest or incarceration on feeble, specious, and unjustified pretexts, the need to protect us from becoming a secret police state is manifest. You will be bewailing the absence of any remedy when you are the victim. And why is the secrecy needed if the prospect of physical and mental abuse is not contemplated?
Human Rights are not incompatible with Christianity nor 'christian values', whatever they are. And we are not subserviant to the United Nations, but both our political parties have made us subservient to the United States. Why is that O.K., do you feel safer under colonial occupation?
Bruce wants Sen Bartlett to put a Human Rights Bill up for debate. The Democrats have done just that for years, but our undemocratic Parliament won't allow it.
The rednecks and other deluded conservative attack dogs pretend that MP's represent the people, when actually they represent corporations who fund their election, that government is accountable to Parliament when in fact government controls Parliament, and the High Court defends individual rights, when in fact it is complicit in denying rights such as individual voting rights. But they will deny such reality, because they fear the prospect of admitting they might be wrong.

Nous - Why don't the Democrats campaign next election for a Bill of Rights, deliver flyers to every household outlining what they want and how they will achieve it. I bet they wouldn't win, because aside from the legal fraternity and a few "progressives", the majority of people do not want one (or would be so disturbed by the Democrats other policies they would vote elsewhere anyway.)

Arjay - A bill of responsibilities would be a great idea. How about - you have the right to jump on a leaky boat putting your family's lives at risk but you are also responsible when the family is locked up in detention while asylum application is processed.

You have the right to take drugs but you are responsible for any crimes committed while under the influence.

You have the right to vote in elections but you are responsible if dimwit progressives such as the Democrats ever hold the balance of power in the Senate again.

t.u.s

works both ways tus.

you have the right to vote for the coalition, you have the responsability to go guietly and without complaint when you lose your job.

Oh there you are "the usual suspect." I accidently flamed you on another topic when I got your name mixed up with another person who uses a phrase instead of a noun for a name.

Sorry'bout that.

Hey

I think that these laws, for the most part, are an unfortunate necessity. I also hope when (if) the threat of terrorism goes away, these laws will also go away. But all in all, they might be necessary.

But I have some concerns. For example, I do not like America, and and I do not like John Howard. I don't hate these things, but I do not like them, and I have a democratic right to do so. If I openly say things like, "I don't approve of the war in Iraq" or "America help cause terroism" (which they did by supporting Islamic terrorists in Afghanistan) I hope I don't run into any trouble. What my main point is, I hope this new legislation allows people to speak their minds. Some might say I'm being paranoid, but I am afraid of the slippery slope, and I haven't really been able to read the new laws in full, which I think is a necessity. I'd like the government to address some underlying concerns.