CANBERRANS are invited to voice their opinions on the ACT Human Rights Act and whether it should include economic, social and cultural rights.

Attorney-General Simon Corbell made the call-out today and said the Government was keen to canvass views from across the ACT community over the next month before making a final decision.

“The background paper ‘Economic, Social and Cultural Rights – a good idea for the ACT?’ is accessible on the Justice and Community Safety Directorate’s website, along with an online survey providing the opportunity to voice your opinion online,” he said.

“The feedback received from this community consultation process will help the Government formulate a response to the recommendations of the research project report.”

The comprehensive report has been prepared by a research team led by two internationally recognised human rights lawyers, Prof Hilary Charlesworth from the ANU and Prof Andrew Byrnes from the University of NSW.

“The project team concludes that it would be desirable to include most economic, social and cultural rights, based on the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in the ACT’s Human Rights Act,” Mr Corbell said.

“It made 15 recommendations about the particular rights that should be added, including rights to adequate housing, health, a healthy environment, education, work and the right to take part in cultural life.”

To view the background paper and online survey visit, www.justice.act.gov.au

Submissions close on August 19, 2011.