Nick McKim (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

Australia is the only liberal democracy in the world that does not have some form of either legislated or constitutionally entrenched charter or bill of rights. It is extremely disappointing, given the over 200 pieces of legislation that have passed through state, territory and Commonwealth parliaments in this country in the last two decades, which fundamentally erode rights, freedoms and liberties, that we do not have such protections for our citizens either in our Constitution or in legislation.

The Australian Greens would far prefer to see constitutionally enshrined protections for rights in this country. We acknowledge that is a difficult and long-term project, so we would like to see this parliament work collaboratively to develop legislation so that we can legislatively entrench protections for fundamental rights, freedoms and liberties in this country, and we're very disappointing that Labor is not prepared to work with us on this.