What are the arguments for and against a Bill of Rights here in Australia?

The types of rights are human, social and economic, and civil and political.

Types of rights.

Parliamentary Education Office (peo.gov.au)

Types of rights.

The types of rights are human, social and economic, and civil and political.

Parliamentary Education Office (peo.gov.au)

Description

This graphic explains the different types of rights:

  • Human rights – the basic rights and freedoms that belong to every person in the world, from birth until death. They can never be taken away.
    • life
    • food
    • work
    • liberty
  • Social and economic rights – rights we need in order to live with dignity.
    • housing
    • healthcare
    • sanitation
  • Civil and political rights – rights we need to be able to participate in society as free and active citizens.
    • freedom of movement and assembly
    • freedom of speech
    • right to protest
    • freedom of religion 

Bill of Rights is a list of the most important rights belonging to a country’s citizens. It is usually passed as a law through parliament and belongs to the domestic law of the country. Australia does not have a Bill of Rights. 

There are many arguments for and against a Bill of Rights in Australia. The main organisation the deals with human rights in Australia is the Australian Human Rights Commission. They might be a good place to start your research.

If a Bill of Rights were to be introduced in Australia, it may involve changes to the Australian Constitution.