Speaking of failures in international law, there is a bit more information on the ‘red lines’ omnibus bill which aims to have Australia respond more stringently to breaches of international law. Basically – setting up red lines that we actually act on when crossed.
Here is the statement:
Independent Members and Senators are this week introducing a package of private bills jointly into both houses of parliament that would bring Australia’s domestic legislation into line with our international obligations.
In the absence of a federal human rights act, the Red Lines package is an important suite of legislative amendments that has huge support across civil society and shifts the focus from prohibition to prevention – where it needs to be.
The package is being co-sponsored in the Senate by Senators Thorpe, Payman, Pocock and Faruqi. It is being introduced in the House on Monday September 14th by Independent Member for Mackellar Dr Sophie Scamps MP and is being seconded by the Member for Clark Mr Andrew Wilkie MP.
The package amends a number of pieces of legislation designed to ensure Australia does not breach its international human rights obligations, including via imports, defence exports and investments.
It will be launched at a special event at Parliament House on Tuesday evening with special guest speakers Emeritus Professor Gillian Triggs AC, former President of the Australian Human Rights Commission Louise Adler AM, publisher and cultural leader Rawan Arraf, Executive Director, Australian Centre for International Justice Professor Sarah Joseph, Professor of Human Rights Law and Director of Castan Centre for Human Rights and Robert Richter KC, barrister and human rights advocate.
ACT Independent Senator David Pocock said: “Of all the many issues people contact me about, human rights and the Gaza Genocide is by far the biggest.
“I have received thousands of emails from Canberrans desperately concerned about the indiscriminate killing we have seen overseas. At the same time we know there is huge support for a federal human rights act and legislation that will give effect in our domestic laws to the obligations we have signed up to in international treaties and conventions. This package of bills is sensible ”
Senator Lidia Thorpe said: “This country has a long history of failing to uphold and respect people’s human rights, whether that’s the rights of First Peoples here, or the human rights of people around the world.
“These bills are about turning that around. They put clear legal red lines around this country’s involvement in genocides, crimes against humanity and war crimes – the most heinous of all crimes.
“They will make sure that investment, trade, institutions and defence activities in this country cannot contribute to atrocities, no matter where.
“This is about ensuring that this country upholds fundamental human rights – rights this government is already committed to under international law – and that it ends its complicity in atrocities. That’s something that everyone should support.”
Independent Member for Mackellar Dr Sophie Scamps said: “Despite Australia’s history as a champion of international law, including its commitment to prevent and punish genocide and prohibit torture under international treaties, we are increasingly falling short of these obligations due to critical gaps in our domestic laws.
“In the absence of a Human Rights Act, this package of legislation would ensure that Australia’s policy and actions align with international law and our human rights obligations, ensuring we are on the right side of history.
“This is not about a single country; there are grievous human rights abuses going on in countries all around the world.
“It is not nearly good enough for our government to say they are not sure if components we manufacture here in Australia are being used in F-35s that have killed tens of thousands of people in Gaza.
“There must be no doubt about the integrity of Australian defence supply chains, investments and trade to ensure that everything from local business to the Federal Government are not knowingly or unknowingly complicit in war crimes and genocide and other human rights violations.”
Senator Mehreen Faruqi, Deputy Leader of the Australian Greens and spokesperson for International Aid and Global Justice said:
“For three years, Labor has told Australians horrified by the genocide in Gaza that there is nothing our government can do. The Red Lines Bill is a comprehensive package of actions the government must take to stop Australia’s complicity in the slaughter and make sure future governments can never go down the same road.
“The Red Lines Package gives Labor the chance to prove that all their talk about international law and human rights actually means something, by ending the Australian Government’s shameful support of genocide, apartheid and illegal occupation.
“This package is far from radical and delivers exactly what Australians expect of their government. Australian governments and corporations should not be sending military parts, trading with, or profiting from, a genocide.”
Independent Member for Clark Andrew Wilkie said: “Australia has often had an outsized influence in the creation and preservation of international law, including in critical matters from the peaceful scientific settlement in the Antarctic, to the end of apartheid in South Africa and the independence of East Timor.
“The Red Lines Package would ensure Australia reaffirms its leadership on these matters and meets its moral and legal obligation not to fund, arm or invest in illegal settlements, war crimes or genocide.
“In times of increasing global uncertainty it’s more important than ever that responsible middle powers like Australia reinforce the fundamental principles of international justice and accountability that protect us here in Australia, and indeed billions of people right around the world.”
Senator Fatima Payman said: “As a middle power, Australia has a responsibility ensure its laws prevent complicity in genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. I hope that my parliamentary colleagues who personally agree with me on this stance will put their money where their mouth is by supporting this package.”
Comments (9)
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Sue
Mon, 14.09.26
15.10 AEST
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Amy Remeikis
Mon, 14.09.26
15.11 AEST
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Eira
Mon, 14.09.26
14.21 AEST
New research shows Poverty Kills Greg Jericho Last Friday the The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare released some utterly damning research on the level of morbidity among those on welfare... The Point Live
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Mrsg
Mon, 14.09.26
12.50 AEST
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Sandra
Mon, 14.09.26
12.40 AEST
Government is finally looking at excessive specialist fees. Good. Luke Slawomirski The federal government has released a consultation paper on excessive specialist fees. It can be boiled down to a simple question: when a specialist charges... The Point Live
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MrsG
Mon, 14.09.26
11.20 AEST
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Gregory Shearman
Mon, 14.09.26
10.16 AEST
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Sam
Mon, 14.09.26
14.28 AEST
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Richard
Mon, 14.09.26
09.20 AEST
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Amy, you know these politicians, you've been watching them for years. Regarding AI (and probably climate change is the same) do hey genuinely not understand the speed at which these things move and therefore don't understand that waiting to do something is the same as a decision to do nothing (in which case maybe they are stupid?), or do they understand how fast these things move and are delibverately waioting to do something (perhpas because they hope someone else will do the hard work for them, or perhpas because they think they will survive the coming apocalypse as the ultra-rich expect to)?
They don't want to 'miss out' and believe the hype, plus don't want the attacks if they miss out on a new 'industry' is my take.
Heartbreaking. I just dont see any politician caring enough to raise the rate.
I must say as a woman I do envy Pauline Hansons clothing budget, I have yet to see her photographed in the same outfit twice. Being a Senator certainly must pay well to afford the lifestyle that she leads The trip to Milan fashion house must have been enlightening., it’s a pity we as taxpayers aren’t getting value for the money that we pay her.
There also need s to be some sort of review into the Medicare fees that are set.
I see a Specialist Dermatologist - that Specialist detected a malignant melanoma (for which I am very thankful) growing backwards in my hair so I didn't know it was there. As is standard for anyone who has been treated for cancer I have regular follow up visits for 5 years, the Medicare rebate for my Specialist consultation is the same as for a visit to a GP. That seems quite wrong to me.
Equally I had to have reconstructive gynaecological & bladder surgery which took more than 3 hours. The rebate is less than for a knee replacement (I've had those too). Rebates for women's health issues are generally less than for men's health issues.
It is a complex area, some Specialists are overcharging - because they can, for others the gap represents a significant difference between the Medicare Scheduled Fee and what it actually costs to provide the medical service.
‘The thing Watt is missing – is that Australians listening to One Nation don’t actually mind the attacks. It’s never about them (they think) – but all those other people taking advantage of what they are paying for, or missing out on.’
What a sad nasty pathetic place Australia has become if this is how many Aussies now think. Surely we as a nation are not that dumb and lacking in decency to want to see this despicable woman and her party gain more power not because they want to help those sad people who vote for them but to enable them to do a Trump and feed their greed.
Pauline Hanson.... what a grub. I call her a racist and I call anyone who votes for her a racist. Everyone knows what she stands for.
They don't care about actually being racist, they care about being called racist.
I give Albanese space to combat Hanson's crap about his mother's situation, but I do NOT give him space to express anger about a snide reference to his dog when he can't find sufficient sympathy for the genocide in Gaza and now the West Bank to even step up to the crease to keep the faith with our responsibilities under the 'international rule of law'.