Mond

Friday, 16 June 2006

GOVERNMENT GAG BILL ON HUMAN RIGHTS BILL

Yesterday, the Bracks Government gagged Parliamentary debate on the Charter of Human Rights & Responsibilities Bill in what Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes, has described as the ultimate act of hypocrisy.

Dr Sykes said, “Freedom of speech is a basic human right and yet the Bracks Government, which has made such an issue of protecting people’s rights, denied Parliamentarians the right to debate the controversial Bill.

“It was clear from the limited debate which did occur on the Bill that the Government had no counter to The Nationals and Opposition’s arguments that the Bill protected no right which is not already protected by Stature Law or Common Law.

“Further, the Bill provides no compensation for people whose rights are violated and it is remarkably light on responsibilities.”

Dr Sykes continued, “Had I been able to speak I was going to raise several local examples of the failure of the Bracks Government to protect existing human rights.

“One example was the planned compulsory acquisition of property at Violet Town/Baddaginnie for a Toxic Dump site – with property owners first knowledge of the plan being when they received a notice hand delivered by Government “storm troopers” in part of a secret military style operation. Fortunately, “people power” beat the Government on this assault on property rights.

“A second example involves the sexual assaults of a student with a mental disability by another student.

“The alleged perpetrator of the assault was given more protection and support than the victim. The victim’s mother had to take out an intervention order to protect her son from the alleged perpetrator and the Department of Human Services contested the order on behalf of the alleged perpetrator (who was subsequently charged and found guilty).”

Dr Sykes continued, “I had many other examples to quote had I been given the chance. Clearly the Government did not want to be embarrassed by the public revelation of their failure to deliver basic human rights”.

Dr Sykes concluded, “The introduction of the Charter of Human Rights & Responsibilities Bill is pure grand standing by the Bracks Government. It is full of rhetoric and light on substance.

“I challenge the Government to agree to a referendum at the time of the State Election in November 2006 to find out what the public think.”

Media contact: Bill Sykes (03) 5762 2100 or 0427 624 989