Appendix 3Example of form or campaign letters

Form Letter 1

Dear Committee Secretariat,

I welcome the opportunity to provide a submission to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights Inquiry into Australia’s Human Rights Framework.

I support the legislation of a federal Human Rights Act, also known as a Human Rights Charter.

A Human Rights Act will help prevent human rights abuses because it will place human rights at the heart of decision making by requiring governments to consider human rights when drafting laws, developing policies, delivering services, and making decisions.

Importantly, an Act will give people the power to take action if their rights are violated, and seek reparations for violations.

Finally, a Human Rights Act will foster respect for human rights in Australia, so we can work toward a future where everyone, everywhere understands their rights, and the rights of others.

I support a legislated Human Rights Act, like those in Victoria, Queensland, and the Australian Capital Territory, and support the position paper released by the Australian Human Rights Commission in March 2023.

An Act should include the human rights Australia has already promised to uphold under international law, including civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights under the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, as well as the rights of children and people with disabilities.

For these reasons I believe the inquiry should recommend the Federal government legislate a Human Rights Act.

Yours sincerely,

Form Letter 2

In line with the International Covenant of Economic, Social and cultural rights, our group, calls on all levels of Government; Federal, State and Local to uphold their duty of care to protect the safety and wellbeing of those who are experiencing homelessness.

Governments have a duty of care to individuals as outlined in Article 11 of the International Covenant of Economic, Social and Cultural rights, there are intersectional factors that contribute to this, such as women over 55 who are now the fastest growing group of those who are experiencing homelessness and is therefore a breach of women’s rights as well.

Those with a disability also experience homelessness at a higher rate, in line with our obligations under the CRPD. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people also experience homelessness at higher rates.

We believe that the failure of governments to create housing policy is a fundamental breach of human rights which could be escalated to the UN Council of Human Rights for which our Nation has a seat.

We call on the Federal Minister for Housing, the Hon Julie Collins and the State Government Minister for Housing: DFFH to build social housing now as there is an immediate need. We want the immediate building of 50,000 social housing dwellings. Prioritising the needs of women, people with disabilities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who are experiencing homelessness at a higher rate.

We believe that currently negative gearing policy is concentrating ownership of houses in the hands of fewer and fewer people, resulting in less supply and higher rents.

We recommend that there should be a federal charter of human rights regarding housing.

All Australians should have an enshrined right to safe and secure housing.