Ageing is an inevitability of living, and yet we know from repeated studies from Australia and around the world that older people are increasingly stereotyped to an extent that it leads to infringements of their human rights, particularly in relation to self determination and dignity.

The implementation of a federal Human Rights Act for Australia is vital to ensure equality under the law is truly achieved and that the most vulnerable in our communities in particular are protected against human rights violations.

Amnesty International identifies Australia as the only liberal democracy in the world with no national human rights protection mechanism, this is something that Elder Abuse Action Australia is eager to see addressed with the following five key recommendations to be embedded within any federal Human Rights Act.

Recommendations:

1. A federal Human Rights Act must clearly define the rights which are protected, the pathways to address violations of these rights, and those people who are entitled to such protection.
2. A federal Human Rights Act must include the core tenets of the international human rights treaties to which Australia is a signatory, with particular reference to Article 25.1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
3. A federal Human Rights Act must have ‘public authorities’ specifically defined and advised of their responsibilities in protecting human rights.
4. A federal Human Rights Act must allow for all new legislation to be examined by the Attorney General’s Department for inconsistencies with, or breaches of, the Act.
5. As a part of the implementation program for a federal Human Rights Act, the Australian Human Rights Commission must be provided with adequate resources to investigate, resolve, and educate relevant parties in relation to the Act.