A Bill for an Act relating to the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Australians and all people in Australia, and for related purposes
The Parliament of Australia enacts:
Part 1—Preliminary
1 Short title
This Act is the Australian Bill of Rights Act 2019.
2 Commencement
(1) Each provision of this Act specified in column 1 of the table commences, or is taken to have commenced, in accordance with column 2 of the table. Any other statement in column 2 has effect according to its terms.
| Commencement information |
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
| Provisions | Commencement | Date/Details |
| 1. The whole of this Act | The day this Act receives the Royal Assent. | |
Note: This table relates only to the provisions of this Act as originally enacted. It will not be amended to deal with any later amendments of this Act.
(2) Any information in column 3 of the table is not part of this Act. Information may be inserted in this column, or information in it may be edited, in any published version of this Act.
3 Objects
The objects of this Act are:
(a) to promote universal respect for, and observance of, human rights and fundamental freedoms for all persons without discrimination; and
(b) to that end, to enact an Australian Bill of Rights giving effect to certain provisions of:
(i) the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights done at New York on 16 December 1966; and
(ii) the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights done at New York on 16 December 1966; and
(iii) the Convention on the Rights of the Child done at New York on 20 November 1989; and
(iv) the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhumane or Degrading Treatment or Punishment done at New York on 10 December 1984;
being guided by:
(v) the Declaration on the Rights of Mentally Retarded Persons; and
(vi) the Declaration on the Rights of Disabled Persons; and
(vii) the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination based on Religion or Belief; and
(c) to ensure that any person whose rights or freedoms as set out in the Australian Bill of Rights are infringed by or under any law in relation to which that Bill of Rights operates has an effective remedy; and
(d) to promote, enhance and secure, as paramount objectives, the freedom and dignity of the human person, equality of opportunity for all persons and full and free participation by all Australians in public affairs and public debate.
Note 1: The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights is in Australian Treaty Series 1980 No. 23 ([1980] ATS 23) and could in 2019 be viewed in the Australian Treaties Library on the AustLII website (http://www.austlii.edu.au).
Note 2: The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights is in Australian Treaty Series 1976 No. 5 ([1976] ATS 5) and could in 2019 be viewed in the Australian Treaties Library on the AustLII website (http://www.austlii.edu.au).
Note 3: The Convention on the Rights of the Child is in Australian Treaty Series 1991 No. 4 ([1991] ATS 4) and could in 2019 be viewed in the Australian Treaties Library on the AustLII website (http://www.austlii.edu.au).
Note 4: The Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhumane or Degrading Treatment or Punishment is in Australian Treaty Series 1989 No. 21 ([1989] ATS 21) and could in 2019 be viewed in the Australian Treaties Library on the AustLII website (http://www.austlii.edu.au).
4 Definitions
(1) In this Act:
act means an act done:
(a) by or on behalf of the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory; or
(b) by or on behalf of an authority of the Commonwealth, of a State or of a Territory;
being an act done:
(c) in relation to an Australian citizen—within or outside Australia; or
(d) in any other case—within Australia.
Australia, when used in a geographical sense, includes the external Territories.
Australian Capital Territory enactment means an enactment of the Australian Capital Territory, within the meaning of the Australian Capital Territory (Self‑Government) Act 1988, or an instrument made under such an enactment.
authority means:
(a) in relation to the Commonwealth:
(i) a body (whether incorporated or unincorporated) established for a purpose of the Commonwealth by or under a Commonwealth enactment; or
(ii) an incorporated company over which the Commonwealth is in a position to exercise control; or
(iii) a person holding or performing the duties of an office or appointment established or made under a Commonwealth enactment or by the Governor‑General or a Minister of State of the Commonwealth (not being an office or appointment referred to in subparagraph (c) (iii)); or
(iv) a body, or a person holding or performing the duties of an office or appointment, that is declared by the regulations to be an authority of the Commonwealth for the purposes of this Act; or
(b) in relation to a State:
(i) a body (whether incorporated or unincorporated) established for a purpose of the State by or under an enactment of the State; or
(ii) an incorporated company over which the State is in a position to exercise control; or
(iii) a person holding or performing the duties of an office or appointment established or made under an enactment, or by the Governor or a Minister, of the State; or
(iv) a local government body in the State; or
(v) a body, or a person holding or performing the duties of an office or appointment, that is declared by the regulations to be an authority of the State for the purposes of this Act; or
(c) in relation to a Territory:
(i) a body (whether incorporated or unincorporated) established for a purpose of the Territory by or under a Commonwealth enactment or an enactment of the Territory; or
(ii) an incorporated company over which the Administration of the Territory is in a position to exercise control; or
(iii) a person holding or performing the duties of an office or appointment established or made under an enactment of the Territory or by the Administrator of a Territory; or
(iv) a body, or a person holding or performing the duties of an office or appointment, that is declared by the regulations to be an authority of the Territory for the purposes of this Act.
Bill of Rights means the Australian Bill of Rights set out in section 19.
Commission means the Australian Human Rights Commission established by the Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986.
Commonwealth enactment means an Act or an instrument (other than a Territory enactment) made under an Act, and includes any other legislation or rule of the common law applied (otherwise than by virtue of the Commonwealth Places (Application of Laws) Act 1970) as a law of the Commonwealth, to the extent that it operates as such a law.
enactment means a Commonwealth enactment, a State enactment or a Territory enactment.
infringe includes abrogate and abridge.
instrument includes a rule, regulation or by‑law.
law means a law of the Commonwealth, a law of a Territory or a law of a State.
law of a State means any law in force in a State, including a rule of the common law but not including a law of the Commonwealth.
law of a Territory means any law in force in a Territory, including a rule of the common law but not including a law of the Commonwealth.
law of the Commonwealth means:
(a) a Commonwealth enactment; or
(b) any other law (other than a rule of the common law) in force throughout Australia; or
(c) any rule of the common law as it has effect in relation to or for the purposes of the operation of a Commonwealth enactment or a law referred to in paragraph (b).
Minister means:
(a) in relation to a State—a Minister of the Crown of the State; or
(b) in relation to the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory—a Minister of that Territory.
Northern Territory enactment means an enactment of the Northern Territory within the meaning of the Northern Territory (Self‑Government) Act 1978 or an instrument made under such an enactment.
Parliament, in relation to the Australian Capital Territory, means the Legislative Assembly of the Australian Capital Territory, and in relation to the Northern Territory, means the Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory.
person includes an individual or group of persons, depending on the context.
practice means a practice engaged in:
(a) by or on behalf of the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory; or
(b) by or on behalf of an authority of the Commonwealth, of a State or of a Territory;
being a practice engaged in:
(c) in relation to an Australian citizen—within or outside Australia; or
(d) in any other case—within Australia.
President means the President of the Commission.
proposed enactment means:
(a) a proposed law introduced into the Parliament of the Commonwealth or the legislature of a Territory; or
(b) a proposed law prepared on behalf of:
(i) the Government of the Commonwealth or the Administration of a Territory; or
(ii) a Minister of State of the Commonwealth; or
(iii) a body established by law that has the function of recommending proposed laws of the Commonwealth or of a Territory; or
(c) a proposed State enactment; or
(d) an instrument proposed to be made under a Commonwealth enactment or under a Territory enactment.
proposed State enactment means:
(a) a proposed law introduced into the Parliament of a State; or
(b) a proposed law prepared on behalf of:
(i) the Government of a State; or
(ii) a Minister of the State; or
(iii) a body established by law that has the function of recommending proposed laws of a State; or
(c) an instrument proposed to be made under a State enactment.
responsible Minister means:
(a) in relation to a Commonwealth enactment, a Territory enactment or a proposed enactment (other than a proposed State enactment)—the Minister of State of the Commonwealth responsible for the administration of the matter to which the enactment or proposed enactment relates; or
(b) in relation to a State enactment or a proposed State enactment—the Minister of the State responsible for the administration of the matter to which the enactment or proposed enactment relates; or
(c) in relation to an act done or practice engaged in by or on behalf of the Commonwealth or a Territory or by or on behalf of an authority of the Commonwealth or of a Territory—the Minister of State of the Commonwealth responsible for the administration of the matter in connection with which the act was done or the practice was engaged in; or
(d) in relation to an act done or practice engaged in by or on behalf of a State or by or on behalf of an authority of a State—the Minister of the State responsible for the administration of the matter in connection with which the act was done or the practice was engaged in.
State includes the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory.
State enactment means a State Act or an instrument made under a State Act and includes an Australian Capital Territory enactment and a Northern Territory enactment.
suit includes any action or original proceeding between parties.
Territory does not include the Australian Capital Territory or the Northern Territory.
Territory Act means an Act passed by a legislature of a Territory and duly assented to.
Territory enactment means:
(a) a Territory Act; or
(b) an Ordinance of a Territory; or
(c) an instrument made under such an Act or Ordinance; or
(d) any other legislation or rule of the common law applied as a law of a Territory, to the extent that it operates as such a law; or
(e) an instrument made under legislation referred to in paragraph (d).
(2) In this Act, a reference to the Governor of a State, in relation to the Northern Territory, means a reference to the Administrator of the Northern Territory.
(3) In this Act:
(a) a reference to, or to the doing of, an act includes a reference to a refusal or failure to do an act; and
(b) a reference, in relation to the doing of an act or the engaging in of a practice, to the person who did the act or engaged in the practice will, in the case of an act done or practice engaged in by an unincorporated body of persons, be read as a reference to that body.
(4) Subject to subsection (5), a law will, for the purposes of this Act, be taken to be inconsistent with the Bill of Rights if it:
(a) infringes, or authorises the infringement of, a right or freedom set out in the Bill of Rights; or
(b) makes, or authorises the making of, a provision that according to the Bill of Rights, is not to be made by any law.
(5) Where a law:
(a) promotes, enhances or secures a right or freedom set out in the Bill of Rights, but infringes, or authorises the infringement of, another right or freedom set out in the Bill of Rights; or
(b) promotes, enhances or secures for a person a right or freedom set out in the Bill of Rights, but, in relation to another person, infringes, or authorises the infringement of, a right or freedom set out in the Bill of Rights;
it is the intention of the Parliament that the law will not be determined to be inconsistent with the Bill of Rights unless such a determination would further the objects of this Act, and in particular the paramount objectives referred to in paragraph 3(d), to a greater extent than a determination that the law is not inconsistent with the Bill of Rights.
(6) A reference in this Act to a right or freedom set out in the Bill of Rights is a reference to such a right or freedom limited only as permitted by Article 3 of the Bill of Rights.
(7) A reference in this Act to the date on which an enactment other than this Act came into force will, in the case of an enactment different provisions of which came into force on different dates, be read as a reference to the date on which the provision concerned came into force.
(8) For the purposes of this Act, an Act will be taken to have been enacted at the time when it receives the Royal Assent.
(9) A reference in this Act to prejudice to the security, defence or international relations of Australia includes a reference to any such prejudice that might result from the divulging of information or matters communicated in confidence by or on behalf of the government of a foreign country, an authority of a government of a foreign country or an international organisation to the Government of the Commonwealth, to an authority of the Commonwealth or to a person receiving the communication on behalf of the Commonwealth or of an authority of the Commonwealth.
5 Interpretation of Bill of Rights
(1) For the purposes of the interpretation of the Bill of Rights, each Article of the Bill of Rights is taken to be a section of this Act.
(2) Except as expressly provided in this Act, the Bill of Rights may not be interpreted so as to limit or adversely affect the rights of any person.
(3) The Bill of Rights may not be interpreted so as to adversely affect the rights particular to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
6 Extension to external Territories
The Act extends to every external Territory.
7 Extent to which Act binds the Crown
(1) This Act binds the Crown in each of its capacities.
(2) This Act does not make the Crown liable to be prosecuted for an offence.
8 Act not to apply so as to exceed Commonwealth power
(1) Unless the contrary intention appears, if a provision of this Act:
(a) would, apart from this section, have an application (an invalid application) in relation to:
(i) one or more particular persons, things, matters, places, circumstances or cases; or
(ii) one or more classes (however defined or determined) of persons, things, matters, places, circumstances or cases;
because of which the provision exceeds the Commonwealth’s legislative power; and
(b) also has at least one application (a valid application) in relation to:
(i) one or more particular persons, things, matters, places, circumstances or cases; or
(ii) one or more classes (however defined or determined) of persons, things, matters, places, circumstances or cases;
that, if it were the provision’s only application, would be within the Commonwealth’s legislative power;
it is the Parliament’s intention that the provision is not to have the invalid application, but is to have every valid application.
(2) Despite subsection (1), the provision is not to have a particular valid application if:
(a) apart from this section, it is clear, taking into account the provision’s context and the purpose or object underlying this Act, that the provision was intended to have that valid application only if every invalid application, or a particular invalid application, of the provision had also been within the Commonwealth’s legislative power; or
(b) the provision’s operation in relation to that valid application would be different in a substantial respect from what would have been its operation in relation to that valid application if every invalid application of the provision had been within the Commonwealth’s legislative power.
(3) Subsection (2) does not limit the cases where a contrary intention may be taken to appear for the purposes of subsection (1).
(4) This section applies to a provision of this Act, whether enacted before, at or after the commencement of this section.
9 Acquisition of property
This Act, or any instrument made under this Act, does not apply to the extent (if any) that the operation of this Act or the instrument would result in an acquisition of property (within the meaning of paragraph 51(xxxi) of the Constitution) from a person otherwise than on just terms (within the meaning of that paragraph).
Part 2—Operation of Bill of Rights
10 Application of Bill of Rights
(1) Subject to subsection (2), any law, whether passed or made before, on or after the commencing day of this Act, that is inconsistent with this Act does not, to the extent of the inconsistency, have any force or effect.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply in relation to a Commonwealth, State or Territory law if an Act expressly declares that law operates notwithstanding this Act.
(3) A declaration made under subsection (2) ceases to have effect 2 years after it comes into force or on such earlier date as may be specified in the declaration.
(4) The Parliament of the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory may re‑enact a declaration made under subsection (2).
(5) Subsection (3) applies in respect of a re‑enactment made under subsection (4).
11 Interpretation of legislation
(1) Notwithstanding anything in any other law relating to the construction or interpretation of legislation, in the interpretation of:
(a) a provision of a Commonwealth enactment; or
(b) a provision of a State enactment; or
(c) a provision of a Territory enactment;
a construction of the provision that would result in the enactment not being inconsistent with the Bill of Rights, or that would further the objects of this Act, will be preferred to any other construction.
(2) Without limiting the generality of subsection (1), in the interpretation of:
(a) an Act that authorises the making of an instrument (including a Territory enactment but not including an enactment of the Australian Capital Territory or of the Northern Territory); or
(b) a Territory enactment that authorises the making of an instrument;
a construction that would result in the Act or Territory enactment not authorising the making of an instrument that would be inconsistent with the Bill of Rights will be preferred to any other construction.
12 No civil or criminal liability under Bill of Rights
(1) Nothing in the Bill of Rights renders any individual liable to any civil proceedings in respect of the doing of an act that infringes a right or freedom set out in the Bill of Rights.
(2) Nothing in this Act renders any person liable to any criminal proceedings in respect of the doing of an act that infringes a right or freedom set out in the Bill of Rights.
Part 3—Functions of the Australian Human Rights Commission
13 Additional powers and functions of the Commission
In addition to the powers and functions of the Commission under the Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986, the Commission has the following powers and functions:
(a) to inquire into any act or practice that may infringe a right or freedom set out in the Bill of Rights, and
(i) where the Commission considers it appropriate to do so—to endeavour, by conciliation, to effect a settlement of the matters that gave rise to the inquiry; and
(ii) where the Commission is of the opinion that the act or practice infringes a right or freedom set out in the Bill of Rights, and the Commission has not considered it appropriate to endeavour to effect a settlement of the matters that gave rise to the inquiry or has endeavoured without success to effect such a settlement—to report to the Minister in relation to the inquiry;
(b) to promote an understanding and acceptance in Australia of the rights and freedoms set out in the Bill of Rights and of the objects of this Act, and to promote the protection of those rights and freedoms in Australia;
(c) to undertake research and educational programs and other programs, on behalf of the Commonwealth, for the purpose of promoting the rights and freedoms set out in the Bill of Rights and the objects of this Act;
(d) to examine enactments and, when requested by the Minister, proposed enactments for the purpose of ascertaining whether the enactments or proposed enactments are, or would be, inconsistent with the Bill of Rights, and to report to the Minister the results of any such examination;
(e) on its own initiative or when requested by the Minister, to report to the Minister as to the enactments that should be made by the Parliament, or action that should be taken by the Commonwealth, on matters relating to the rights and freedoms set out in the Bill of Rights; and
(f) to do anything incidental or conducive to the performance of any of the preceding functions.
14 Performance of the Commission in relation to Bill of Rights
(1) Subject to subsection (2), the powers and duties of the Commission set out in Division 2 of Part II of the Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986 are extended to apply also to rights and freedoms set out in the Bill of Rights.
(2) Before inquiring, under this Act, into an act or practice, the Commission must tell the responsible Minister that the Commission proposes to inquire into the act or practice.
15 Complaints and redress for infringement of rights or freedoms
(1) A written complaint may be lodged with the Commission, alleging that an act or practice infringes a right or freedom set out in the Bill of Rights.
(2) After a complaint is lodged with the Commission, a complainant, a respondent, an affected person or the Commission may apply for an interim injunction to the Federal Court or the Federal Circuit Court. The Courts may grant an interim injunction to maintain the status quo or maintain the rights of any complainant, respondent or affected person.
(3) Except as provided by this Part, Part IIB of the Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986 applies in relation to a complaint under subsection (1) to the extent necessary to enable the complaint to be dealt with as applicable, through:
(a) conciliation by the President; and
(b) proceedings in the Federal Court and the Federal Circuit Court.
(4) For the purposes of subsection (2), reference to unlawful discrimination in Part IIB of the Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986 is read as including an act or practice that infringes a right or freedom set out in the Bill of Rights.
16 Reporting to Parliament
(1) The Minister must cause a copy of every report given to the Minister by the Commission under paragraphs 13(a), (d) or (e) to be laid before each House of the Parliament within 15 sitting days of that House after the report is received by the Minister.
(2) Where the Commission gives to the Minister under paragraph 13(a), (d) or (e) a report that relates to:
(a) a State enactment, or proposed State enactment; or
(b) an act done or practice engaged in:
(i) by or on behalf of a State; or
(ii) by or on behalf of an authority of a State;
the Minister must immediately give a copy of the report to the Attorney‑General of that State.
(3) The Minister:
(a) must not cause a copy of a report of the kind referred to in subsection (2) to be laid before either House of the Parliament until:
(i) the expiration of 30 days after a copy of the report was given to the Attorney‑General of the State concerned under subsection (2); or
(ii) the Minister receives from the Attorney‑General of the State concerned a statement relating to the enactment, act or practice to which the report related, whichever happens first; and
(b) must cause a copy of the report to be laid before each House of the Parliament within 15 sitting days after the happening of the first of the events referred to in subparagraphs (a) (i) and (ii); and
(c) if the event referred to in subparagraph (a) (ii) is the first to happen, or if, before the report is laid before either House of the Parliament pursuant to paragraph (b), the Minister receives from the Attorney‑General concerned a statement of the kind referred to in subparagraph (a) (ii)—must cause a copy of the statement to be attached to each copy of the report that is laid before a House of the Parliament pursuant to paragraph (b).
Part 4—Miscellaneous
17 Jurisdiction of the Federal Court and Federal Circuit Court
The Federal Court and the Federal Circuit Court have concurrent jurisdiction with respect to civil matters arising under Part 3.
18 Regulations
The Governor‑General may make regulations prescribing matters:
(a) required or permitted by this Act to be prescribed; or
(b) necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to this Act.
Part 5—Declaration of Rights
19 Australian Bill of Rights
The Australian Bill of Rights is as follows:
Australian Bill of Rights
Division 1—Guarantee of rights and freedoms
Article 1
Entitlement to rights and freedoms without distinction
Every person is entitled to equality before the law and to the human rights and fundamental freedoms set out in this Bill of Rights irrespective of distinctions such as race, colour, sex, intersex status, sexual orientation, gender identity, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth, mental or physical disability or other status.
Article 2
Effect of Bill of Rights on existing rights and freedoms
A right or freedom existing under, or recognised by, any other law may not be taken to have been diminished or derogated from by reason only that the right or freedom is not set out in this Bill of Rights.
Article 3
Permissible limitations
(1) The rights and freedoms set out in this Bill of Rights are subject only to such reasonable limitations prescribed by law as can be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society and are necessary to protect the fundamental rights and freedoms of others.
(2) A right or freedom set out in this Bill of Rights may not be limited by any law to any greater extent than is permitted by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
Division 2—Fundamental freedoms
Article 4
Freedom of expression
(1) Every person has the right to freedom of expression, including the freedom of the press and other media of communication, and the freedom to seek, receive and impart ideas or information of any kind in any form, without interference and regardless of frontiers.
(2) A law may not authorise a person or group to express information that advocates national, racial or religious hatred and incites discrimination, hostility or violence.
Article 5
Freedom of thought and conscience
Every person has the right to freedom of thought and conscience, including the right to hold opinions without interference.
Article 6
Freedom to have or adopt a religion or belief
Every person has the right to have or adopt a religion or belief of that person’s choice without coercion of any kind, and to manifest that religion or belief in worship, observance, practice and teaching, whether individually or in community with others and whether in public or in private.
Article 7
Right of peaceful assembly
Every person has the right of peaceful assembly.
Article 8
Freedom of association
Every person has the right to freedom of association with others, including the right to form and join trade unions for the protection of that person’s interests.
Division 3—Equality rights
Article 9
Equal protection of the law
(1) Every person has the right without any discrimination to the equal protection of the law.
(2) Nothing in this Bill of Rights affects the operation of any earlier or later law by reason only of the fact that the law discriminates in favour of a class of persons for the purpose of redressing any disabilities particularly suffered by that class or arising from discrimination against that class.
Article 10
Rights of Indigenous peoples
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have the following individual and collective rights and responsibilities:
(a) the right to revive, maintain and develop their ethnic and cultural characteristics and identities, including:
(i) their religion and spiritual development; and
(ii) their language and educational institutions;
(b) the right to claim native title for Indigenous lands and natural resources based on the recognition of their prior ownership;
(c) the right to manage their own affairs to the greatest possible extent while enjoying all the rights that other Australian citizens have in the political, economic, social and cultural life of Australia;
(d) the right to obtain reasonable financial and technical assistance from the Government to pursue their political, economic, social and cultural development in a spirit of co‑existence with other Australian citizens and in conditions of freedom and dignity;
(e) the responsibility to respect their laws and customs and to promote Indigenous culture.
Article 11
Rights of minority groups
Persons who belong to an ethnic, religious or linguistic minority have the right, in community with other members of their own group, to enjoy their own culture, to profess and practise their own religion, or to use their own language.
Division 4—Civil and democratic rights
Article 12
Right to life
(1) From birth, every human being has the inherent right to life and no person may be arbitrarily deprived of life.
(2) Every person has the right to bodily and psychological integrity.
(3) Every person has the right to end his or her life.
Article 13
Liberty and security of person
(1) Every person has the right to liberty and security of person.
(2) No law may authorise the arbitrary arrest, detention or imprisonment of any person.
(3) No person may be deprived of liberty except on such grounds, and in accordance with such procedures, as are established by law.
(4) No person may be imprisoned merely on the ground of inability to fulfil a contractual obligation.
Article 14
No torture or inhuman treatment and no experimentation without consent
(1) No person may be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
(2) No person may be subjected to medical or scientific experimentation without that person’s free consent.
(3) Every person has the right to refuse any medical treatment for themselves.
Article 15
Slavery and servitude
No person may be held in slavery or servitude or be required to perform forced or compulsory labour.
Article 16
Right of participation in public life
Every Australian citizen has the right and will have the opportunity:
(a) to take part in the conduct of public affairs, directly or through freely chosen representatives; and
(b) to vote and to be elected at genuine periodic elections, which will be by universal and equal suffrage and by secret ballot, guaranteeing the free expression of the will of the electors; and
(c) to have access on general terms of equality to public employment.
Article 17
Right to marry and to found a family
Recognising that the family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the Commonwealth or State Government:
(a) every person of marriageable age has the right to marry and to found a family; and
(b) no marriage may be entered into without the free and full consent of the intending spouses.
Article 18
Rights of the child
Recognising that every child has the right to such measures of protection as are required by the child’s age:
(a) every child has the fundamental rights and freedoms set out in this Bill of Rights to the greatest extent compatible with the age of the individual child; and
(b) every child will be registered immediately after birth and will have a name; and
(c) every child has the right to acquire a nationality; and
(d) every child will be protected from economic and social exploitation. Their employment under set age limits, or in work harmful to their morals or health, dangerous to life or likely to hamper their normal development should be prohibited and punishable by law.
Article 19
Rights of movement within Australia
(1) Every person lawfully in Australia has the right to freedom of movement and choice of residence.
(2) A person who is lawfully in Australia but is not an Australian citizen may not be required to leave Australia except on such grounds and in accordance with such procedures as are established by law.
Article 20
Right to enter Australia
(1) Every Australian citizen has the right to enter Australia.
(2) A law may restrict a citizen’s right to enter if that person is under legal investigation or sentence in another country.
Article 21
Right to leave Australia
(1) Every person has the right to leave Australia.
(2) A law may restrict a person’s right to leave if that person is under legal investigation or sentence in Australia.
Division 5—Economic and social rights
Article 22
Property
(1) Every natural or legal person has the right to peacefully enjoy the person’s possessions. No person may be deprived of the person’s possessions except in the public interest and subject to the conditions provided for by law and by the general principles of international law.
(2) This right does not impair the right of the Commonwealth or State Government to enforce laws it considers necessary to control the use of property in accordance with the general interest or to secure the payment of taxes or other contributions or penalties.
Article 23
Standard of living
(1) Every person has the right to an adequate standard of living, including:
(a) sufficient food and water; and
(b) clothing and housing; and
(c) access to health care services; and
(d) access to social security, including if they are unable to support themselves and their dependants, appropriate social assistance.
(2) No one may be refused emergency medical treatment.
(3) The Commonwealth or State Government will take reasonable legislative and other measures to provide for the progressive realisation of each of these rights.
Article 24
Right to live in a safe society
Every person has the individual and collective right to live in a safe society and the collective and individual responsibility to act in a peaceful and non violent way.
Article 25
Right to adequate child care
A parent or other person responsible for the care of a child has the right of reasonable access to adequate child care facilities and the responsibility to ensure that the child is properly cared for.
Article 26
Right to education
No person may be denied the right to education. In the exercise of any functions which it assumes in relation to education and to teaching, the Commonwealth or State Government will respect the right of parents to ensure such education and teaching in conformity with their own religious and philosophical convictions.
Article 27
Work
(1) Every person has the right to work including the right to the opportunity to gain reasonable payment for work the person freely chooses or accepts.
(2) Every person has the right to just and favourable conditions of work including:
(a) fair and reasonable payment for work so as to provide a decent living as a minimum; and
(b) safe and healthy working conditions; and
(c) rest, leisure and reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic and public holidays with pay.
Article 28
Individual and collective development
Every person has the right to participate in and contribute to individual and collective economic, social and cultural development including:
(a) taking part in cultural life; and
(b) enjoying the benefits of scientific progress and its applications; and
(c) benefiting from the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which the person is the author.
Article 29
Environment
(1) Every person has the right to an environment that is not harmful to their health or well‑being.
(2) The Commonwealth or State Government will take appropriate steps to protect the environment for the benefit of present and future generations, through reasonable legislative and other measures that:
(a) prevent pollution and ecological degradation; and
(b) promote conservation; and
(c) secure ecologically sustainable development and use of natural resources while promoting justifiable economic and social development.
Division 6—Legal rights
Article 30
Right to protection from arbitrary interference
Every person has the right to:
(a) protection of privacy, family, home and correspondence from arbitrary or unlawful interference; and
(b) protection from unlawful attacks on honour and reputation.
Article 31
Right to procedural fairness
(1) Every person has the right to have a decision by a tribunal or other public authority that may affect the person’s rights made in a way that observes the rules of procedural fairness.
(2) The rules of procedural fairness include:
(a) the rule that a person whose interests may be adversely affected by a decision will be given a reasonable opportunity to present a case; and
(b) the rule that the tribunal or authority will be impartial in the matter to be decided.
Article 32
Right to legal assistance
Every person has the right to reasonable access to legal aid and the responsibility to accept assistance from a suitably qualified representative appointed by a court.
Article 33
Right to be informed of reasons for detention or arrest and of charges
Any person who is detained or arrested will be informed at the time of detention or arrest of the reasons for it, and will be informed promptly and in detail of any charges in a language which that person understands.
Article 34
Right to consult with lawyer and to remain silent
Any person detained in custody has the right to remain silent and the right to consult with a lawyer.
Article 35
Hearings, release and trial
(1) Everyone has the right to liberty and security of person. No one will be subjected to arbitrary arrest or detention.
(2) Any person detained or arrested on a criminal charge will be brought promptly before a judge, magistrate or justice of the peace.
(3) No person awaiting trial may be unreasonably deprived of the right to release on giving a guarantee to appear for trial.
(4) Any person detained or arrested on a criminal charge has the right to be tried within a reasonable time.
Article 36
Right to test lawfulness of detention
Any person deprived of liberty has the right to take proceedings before a court for the determination of the lawfulness of the detention and to be released if the court finds that the detention is not lawful.
Article 37
Presumption of innocence
Any person charged with a criminal offence is presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law.
Article 38
Right to fair hearing
In the determination of any criminal charge, or of any rights or obligations in a suit at law, every person has the right to a fair and public hearing by a competent, independent and impartial tribunal.
Article 39
Right to reasonable standard of criminal procedure
(1) Every person charged with a criminal offence has the following rights:
(a) the right to have the principles of due process applied to matters arising from the charge;
(b) the right to obtain legal assistance;
(c) the right to communicate with a lawyer;
(d) the right to legal assistance without cost, if the interests of justice so require and the person lacks sufficient means to pay for the assistance;
(e) the right to have adequate time and facilities to prepare a defence;
(f) the right to trial by jury if the person may be imprisoned for 3 or more years for the offence;
(g) the right to be present at any trial relating to the offence and to present a defence;
(h) the right to examine the witnesses against the person;
(i) the right to obtain the attendance of, and to examine, witnesses for the person;
(j) the right to have the free assistance of an interpreter if the person cannot understand or speak the language used in court;
(k) the right not to be compelled to testify or confess guilt;
(l) in the case of a child, the right to be dealt with in a manner which takes account of the child’s age.
(2) Every person who is found guilty to an offence has the right to be sentenced within a reasonable time and to be informed in a language that the person understands of the reasons for the sentence.
Article 40
No retrospective criminal offences or penalties
(1) No person may be convicted of any criminal offence on account of any act or omission which did not constitute a criminal offence at the time when it occurred.
(2) No person convicted of any criminal offence is liable to a heavier penalty than was applicable at the time the offence was committed.
Article 41
Right of review of conviction and sentence
Every person convicted of a criminal offence has the right to have the conviction or sentence reviewed by a higher tribunal according to law.
Article 42
No trial or punishment for same offence
No person finally convicted or acquitted of a criminal offence may be tried or punished again for the same offence or for substantially the same offence arising out of the same facts.
Article 43
Rights when deprived of liberty
(1) Every person deprived of liberty has the right to be treated with humanity and with respect for the inherent dignity of the human person.
(2) So far as is practicable:
(a) accused persons will be segregated from convicted persons, and will be treated in a manner appropriate to their status as unconvicted persons; and
(b) accused children will be segregated from accused adults; and
(c) convicted children will be segregated from convicted adults, and will be treated in a manner appropriate to their age and legal status.