Griffith experts to prepare Human Rights Bill submission

Professor Susan Harris Rimmer pictured here at the W20 with German Chancellor Angela Merkel

Griffith’s law experts will meet next week to discuss the impact of the proposed Human Rights Act in Queensland.

The Director of Griffith’s Law Futures Centre, Professor Don Anton, says that “the introduction of the Human Rights Bill is an historic achievement, but the devil, as usual, will be in the detail”.

Professor Anton has expertise in the intersection between human rights and the environment and was nominated by the Commonwealth Government to serve as the inaugural Independent Expert on Human Rights and the Environment with the UN Human Rights Commission.

Don highlights, “Griffith has a large number of experts across a range of civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights. We look forward to working hard to ensure the people of Queensland derive the full benefit of the panoply of these rights”.

Taking the lead in Griffith’s initiative is Associate Professor Susan Harris Rimmer, who says Griffith is uniquely positioned to offer depth and breadth of thinking on Queensland’s proposed human rights framework.

“Griffith Law School is a diverse collective of researchers who can contribute knowledge and expertise in policy areas such as the environment, Indigenous Australians, and emerging areas like online privacy,” says Susan.

Griffith’s credentials are further boosted by the experience that Professor Pene Mathew brings says Susan. Pene served as the Human Rights Legal and Policy Adviser to the Human Rights Commission in the Australian Capital Territory.

During her time at the Human Rights Commission, Pene conducted an audit of ACT’s Correctional facilities to assess their practices against international human rights standards for the treatment of prisoners.

“Pene brings a wealth of experience to Griffith. She’s written numerous advices and reform submissions concerning the implications of the ACT’s Human Rights Act on a range of complex legal issues,” says Susan.

Griffith Law School has been involved in the Human Rights Act for Queensland campaign and hosted a strategy meeting for the advocacy group earlier in the year.

Associate Professor Susan Harris Rimmer says that Griffith will engage the community and policy makers through a series of public forums and research publications in the coming months.

“We’ve been proactive supporters and now that the Human Rights bill is here, Griffith will continue to do the work to ensure fair outcomes for all Queenslanders,” says Susan.