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Media release — 8 October 2009Human Rights Act needed to protect our most vulnerableA national human rights act to protect Australia's most vulnerable people is a most welcome recommendation according to Anti-Discrimination Commissioner, Susan Booth, commenting on the release of the report of the National Human Rights Consultation Committee. The report reflects many of the recommendations the Anti-Discrimination Commission Queensland (ADCQ) made in a submission to the Human Rights Consultation which called for better protection for vulnerable members of society, including the rights to access to housing, adequate healthcare, food and education. The report identified groups within Australia who experience profound disadvantage, including the elderly, Indigenous Australians, and people with disabilities. "Queensland has a growing and ageing population, the second highest population of Indigenous people and culturally diverse communities which really highlights the need for adequate legislation to protect all Queenslanders." Ms Booth said. "Discrimination on the basis of impairment remains the highest grounds for complaints received by the ADCQ, accounting for almost 25 per cent of all complaints and as our population ages, this is likely to increase." The report also highlighted the gap between urban and rural and remote areas for service delivery. "Access to adequate education, healthcare, housing and food is an ongoing issue for people who live in rural and remote areas of Queensland and is of particular concern to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, with almost 70 percent living outside of urban centres." The ADCQ submission identified that people living in some regional and remote areas of Queensland struggle to gain basic economic, social and cultural rights. However, Ms Booth emphasised that a Human Rights Act is for 'every Queenslander' whether they live in the suburbs of Brisbane, regional Queensland or the Torres Strait. "A national Human Rights Act would provide the legal framework to understand and recognise the human rights of all Queenslanders." Ms Booth concluded. Interview opportunities: Commissioner Susan Booth is available by appointment.
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