Media Release: Call for Human Rights to be put at the Heart of all State Government Decision-Making
Call for Human Rights to be put at the Heart of all State Government Decision-Making
10 December 2025
Independent Member for Nelson Meg Webb today marked International Human Rights Day by calling on the Rockliff Government to respect previous parliamentary votes urging a Tasmanian Human Rights Act be progressed.
The theme for International Human Rights Day 2025 is “Our Everyday Essentials”.
“Another International Human Rights Day is being celebrated around the world, yet unfortunately Tasmania continues to lag behind,” Ms Webb said.
“Sadly, for many, our everyday essentials are slipping out of reach. Tasmanians deserve to have their human rights put at the heart of all state government decision-making.
“The Upper House has already passed two resolutions calling for a Tasmanian Human Rights Act to be progressed as recommended by the independent Tasmanian Law Reform Institute, yet the Rockliff government has failed to do so.
“Meanwhile we are falling behind national developments.”
Ms Webb said currently, the NSW Parliament is considering a proposal for a Human Rights Act and the establishment of a NSW Human Rights Commission.
“A South Australian parliamentary committee recently recommended that the State legislate its own Human Rights Act, which would have it join Queensland, Victoria and also the ACT, all of which have had similar legislation in force for years.”
Ms Webb said December 10 is the anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by the UN General Assembly in 1948.
“This significant anniversary is not just for congratulating ourselves but serves as a salient reminder of the work still to be done, and the need for vigilance to ensure the precious rights we may take for granted are not eroded.
“Tasmanians deserve their rights to be formally recognized and protected by a state Human Rights Act, just as we are seeing being provided to our interstate counterparts.”
Text of Motion tabled today by Meg Webb MLC:
(1) That the Legislative Council notes the resolutions of this House passed on the 22nd of November 2022 and on the 26th of November 2024 requesting the Tasmanian Government commence work on developing a Tasmanian Human Rights Act in accordance with the recommendations made by the 2007 Tasmanian Law Reform Institute’s A Charter for Human Rights for Tasmania Final Report, and again in the TLRI’s Update Report of 2024;
(2) That the Legislative Council further notes that the 10th of December is the annual International Human Rights Day which commemorates the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948, and that the 2025 theme is “Our Everyday Essentials”;
(3) That the Legislative Council further notes that:
(a) Human Rights Acts have been enacted in the Australian Capital Territory for the last 21 years, Victoria for the last 19 years, and Queensland for the last 6 years;
(b) In April 2025 the South Australian Parliamentary Social Development Committee formally recommended the enactment of a Human Rights Act for that state;
(c) In October 2025 a Bill for a Human Rights Act and to also establish a NSW Human Rights Commission was tabled in the New South Wales State Parliament;
(4) And that the Legislative Council also notes with disappointment that the Tasmanian government has still failed to heed the previous resolutions of this House to progress a Tasmanian Human Rights Act for the protection of the “Everyday Essentials” crucial for all Tasmanians.
