Here's our position on... human rights
We have a long history of advocating for human rights on behalf of the marginalised
We’ve had a lot of voters asking us about our position on human rights. This is what we tell them.
The Australian Democrats are passionate about advancing human rights, justice, and equality. We have a long history of advocating for human rights on behalf of the marginalised.
In 1996 Senator Sid Spindler introduced a private members’ bill to end discrimination on the basis of sexuality.
In 1997 the Democrats were the first parliamentary party to apologise to the Stolen Generations.
Our current national president, former parliamentary leader and Senator Lyn Allison, initiated the debate on RU486 that led to a landmark conscience vote on women’s right to reproductive choice.
Today our policies continue to align closely with the priorities outlined in Amnesty International’s Human Rights Agenda, and we are committed to addressing these critical issues.
Legislating a National Human Rights Act
The Australian Democrats strongly support the introduction of a national Human Rights Act to enshrine fundamental rights and freedoms in law.
Our policy platform on constitutional reform emphasizes the need for a robust legal framework that protects human rights, promotes equality, and ensures accountability.
We believe such an Act is essential to transform Australia’s approach to justice and safeguard the rights of all Australians, addressing the gap that makes Australia the only liberal democracy without such legislation.
Reducing Over-Imprisonment of First Nations Children and Preventing Abuse
We are committed to taking federal leadership to address the over-imprisonment of First Nations children and to prevent abuse in youth detention centres.
Our policies advocate for raising the age of criminal responsibility to at least 14, in line with international standards, and implementing community-led justice programs that prioritize rehabilitation over punishment.
We also support increased funding for culturally appropriate support services to address systemic inequalities and reduce incarceration rates among First Nations youth.
Adopting a Humane and Generous Refugee and Asylum Policy
The Australian Democrats are dedicated to reforming Australia’s approach to refugees and people seeking asylum. In 1992 we were the only party to oppose the then Labor government’s mandatory detention policy for refugees - a policy that laid the groundwork and made possible the outrages by the Howard, and Abbott, Turnbull, Morrison governments that followed.
We advocate for ending offshore detention, increasing the annual refugee intake to at least 40,000 places, and creating safe, legal pathways for those fleeing persecution.
Our policies emphasize treating refugees with dignity and respect, ensuring access to healthcare, education, and employment opportunities, and aligning Australia’s practices with international human rights obligations.
Promoting and Defending International Human Rights
We are unwavering in our commitment to promoting and defending international human rights, with a particular focus on addressing grave violations such as the genocide in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and repression in China, Afghanistan, and Myanmar. Our foreign policy prioritises advocating for accountability, supporting international humanitarian law, and calling for sanctions against perpetrators of human rights abuses.
We also support increased humanitarian aid and diplomatic efforts to address crises in these regions.
The Australian Democrats are committed to an election campaign free of racism, division, and misinformation, as called for by Amnesty International. We believe in fostering a society where every individual’s dignity is respected, and we will work tirelessly to ensure human rights are at the heart of Australia’s future.