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Human Rights and Social Justice

“More than ever, we need our leaders to defend human rights and protect the vulnerable in society.”

 

Democratic protections

  • Empower and protect Australia’s whistleblowers.
  • Ensure integrity in Australia’s political system.
  • Tackle disinformation and hate speech online.
  • Protect the right to protest and not-for-profit advocacy in Australia.

Human Rights

  • Support the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights’ recommendation that the Australian Government enact a federal Human Rights Act. This Act should adopt the United Nations General Assembly resolution to recognise the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable  environment as an essential human right. Australia is one of the few liberal democracies without a national Human Rights Act, relying instead on a fragmented patchwork of laws that fail to provide comprehensive protections. A Human Rights Act would embed fundamental rights into our legal framework, ensure greater accountability, and give individuals access to justice if their rights are violated.

Indigenous Australians

  • Advocate for the rights, interests and wellbeing of Indigenous Australians in consultation with Indigenous people. 
  • We must reduce over-imprisonment of First Nations children and prevent abuse in youth detention centres. The disproportionate incarceration of First Nations children is a national shame that demands urgent federal leadership. I am committed to advocating for systemic reforms that address this injustice and ensure humane treatment in youth detention centers.

LGBTQI+

  • Work to defend the rights of LGBTQI+ people for protection under law.

Refugees

  • We must uphold the Refugee Convention and core United Nations human rights treaties.
  • We must adopt humane policies for refugees and asylum seekers. Australia’s current approach to refugees falls far short of our humanitarian obligations. I support increasing the refugee intake, abolishing mandatory detention, and ensuring timely, transparent assessments of asylum applications. Refugees deserve dignity and compassion, not punitive policies that undermine their rights.

Promoting International Human Rights

  • Australia must play a stronger role in addressing human rights abuses globally, particularly in regions like Gaza, China, Afghanistan, and Myanmar. Upholding international human rights standards is essential to fostering global peace and justice. I personally condemn all atrocities and acts of violence against civilians, regardless of where they occur. 
  • The suffering endured by the Palestinian people, as well as the broader implications for peace and justice, demand urgent attention and thoughtful action. The reports of ongoing displacement, destruction of critical infrastructure, and violations of international law are deeply troubling and highlight the need for accountability and meaningful solutions.
  • As an independent candidate, I believe it is my responsibility to bring the voices of our community into Parliament. I recognize that many Australians are calling for a stronger stance on issues such as ending military ties with Israel, holding all parties accountable for breaches of international law, and advocating for justice and self-determination for Palestinians. These are exactly the kinds of issues that I believe deserve open discussion and debate in Parliament—free from partisan constraints.
  • I am committed to representing the concerns of our electorate and ensuring that Australia plays a constructive role in promoting peace, justice, and human rights on the global stage. If elected, I will advocate for policies that reflect our community’s values, including a focus on humanitarian assistance, accountability under international law, and a fair approach to resolving this long-standing conflict.

 

 Artificial Intelligence

  • I support creating an Australian AI Safety Institute. We need independent technical expertise within government to join global AI risk research, and help ensure regulation and policy meet Australia's needs.
  • I support introducing an Australian AI Act that imposes mandatory guardrails on AI developers and deployers. The Act should ensure that powerful AI systems meet robust safety standards and clarify liability for developers and deployers.