Media Release: Momentum Builds for Tas Human Rights Act

October 24, 2025

Momentum Builds for Tasmanian Human Rights Act

24 October 2025

Independent Member for Nelson Meg Webb today said momentum is building for Tasmania to introduce its own Human Rights protection laws, following moves in South Australia and, most recently, New South Wales.

“On Thursday this week a Bill to protect the Human Rights of New South Wales citizens, and to establish a NSW Human Rights Commission was tabled in that state parliament,” Ms Webb said.

“That is great news for NSW, but it also increases pressure on Tasmania to do the same for its people, and in accordance with my successful motion in November last year when the Legislative Council supported my call for the immediate development of a Tasmanian Human Rights Act.

“A Tasmanian Human Rights Act would secure basic rights and freedoms for all Tasmanians regardless of their background or belief, based on principles of dignity, equality and mutual respect.

“As the 2025 theme of the United Nations Human Rights Day, celebrated on 10 December, reiterates, human rights protections is about ensuring “Our Everyday Essentials”.

“The Tasmanian Law Reform Institute has told us in two reports that our current state laws are fragmented and do not provide adequate protection of Tasmanians’ human rights.

“The Legislative Council has on multiple occasions, supported my calls for the State to legislate a Tasmanian Human Rights Act in response to those TLRI reports’ recommendations.

“In April this year we also saw the South Australian Parliamentary Social Development Committee formally recommended the enactment of a Human Rights Act for that state.

Ms Webb said currently there are Human Rights Acts in the ACT (21 years), Victoria (19 years) and Queensland (6 years) while a major campaign is also under way calling for the Albanese Government to legislate a HR Act for Australia.

“I am also aware, and am very appreciative of, the support for a Tasmanian Human Rights Act across many Independents and other Parties in the State Parliament.

“Clearly, a Tasmanian Human Rights Act is needed, as identified by the TLRI, and it should be a matter of when, not if, Tasmanians enjoy the same protections of their “everyday essential” human rights as other states are moving to provide their citizens,” Ms Webb said.