Extension to Human Rights Commission Report

The Federal Government has agreed to a second extension to the reporting date of the National Human Rights Consultation after an overwhelming response from the community.

The Government has agreed to a request by Father Frank Brennan, Chair of the National Human Rights Consultation Committee, for a further one month extension The Committee will now report to Government by 30 September 2009.

The Committee requested a short extension to ensure that it has sufficient time to consider all of the views expressed by the community during the consultation.

The Committee has received around 40,000 written submissions and conducting 66 community roundtables in 52 locations across Australia.

In addition, the Committee has also established an interactive website and on-line forum and undertaken a number of telephone polls.

Fr Brennan says it is important that all views expressed by the community about the future protection of human rights are considered by the Committee.

He says the National Human Rights Consultation is a significant process, which will better inform Government on the range of community views about how we should promote and protect human rights and responsibilities.

For more information go to: www.hreoc.gov.au