Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

Prosperity with purpose - a fresh approach to some unfinished business

By Greg Barns and Howard Glenn - posted Friday, 15 December 2006


Some also argue that we will not get effective human rights protection until we experience the sorts of political or social crises that have occurred in other countries. And it does appear that the relatively benign experience of government for most Australians has had a somewhat soporific effect on policy-making and political response. But how long will we maintain our wilful blindness to the plight of our fellow human beings whose experience of this “benign neglect” is devastating, if not fatal?

A while longer yet, it would appear.

Initiatives like that of New Matilda are failing to galvanise the community. When there is so little political support for human rights, one approach is to try and slip in a modest proposal, and call it an advance.

Advertisement

But modest approaches have the tendency to encourage an apathy whereby people believe that an issue has been addressed. Such issues, though, can remain an open wound in our society for an age, masking a deep absence. For example, even in respect of some relatively popular human rights issues in Australia, such as those affecting women, protection has not been absolute or even, in some cases, adequate. The exemptions from protection under the 1984 Sex Discrimination Act, made for reasons of political compromise and expediency, remain with us as employees of government-funded independent schools can testify.

Timidity rarely inspires. The compromised model of republican reform, like the compromised past rights referendum, did not contain enough excitement or benefit to overcome the doubts about the value of change.

A better approach is to work on longer-term solutions and try to build some support from a wide range of sectors for more fundamental reform. Fortunately, we have strong and effective models from many other western democracies from which we can learn and borrow.

Many Australians are looking for reassurance that we can be a nation where all - irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, religion, colour, or disability - can help shape a democratic, open, fair and pluralistic society of the future.

We believe that a commitment to these positive values will demonstrably improve the quality of our Australian way of life, and address those long running problems that damage real people, and our national self-regard.

In the lead up to the next federal election and beyond we have an active debate about values, which will broaden the range of people that want to address these issues. As the election of new leadership in the Labor party indicates, there is a desire for more than more of the same. We need to ensure that deep consideration of the issues that Australia faces over the long term is reflected in civic infrastructure, and we need to build alliances to ensure that the big issues are addressed.

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. 2
  4. 3
  5. Page 4
  6. All

We would like to acknowledge, with thanks, contributions from Tony Nagy and Carol Elliott.



Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

4 posts so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Authors

Greg Barns is National President of the Australian Lawyers Alliance.

Howard Glenn leads lobby group Rights Australia Inc, was previously founder and national director of Australians for Just Refugee Programs, and brought the widest range of organisations and individuals together to challenge poor treatment of asylum seekers and refugees.

Formerly CEO of the National Australia Day Council, he was responsible for modernising national celebrations and the Australian of the Year Awards, and involving communities across Australia in debates on reconciliation, republic and national identity.

Howard was an adviser to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs in the Hawke-Keating Governments, and had key involvement with Indigenous education policy, the response to the deaths in custody Royal Commission and the establishment of the reconciliation process. Outside government he has extensive community sector involvement, currently on human rights, HIV-AIDS, drug and alcohol issues. When not at a computer, Howard is a middle distance runner and a surf lifesaver.

Other articles by these Authors

All articles by Greg Barns
All articles by Howard Glenn

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Photo of Greg BarnsGreg BarnsPhoto of Howard GlennHoward Glenn
Article Tools
Comment 4 comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Latest from Rights Australia Inc
 Why Australians deserve a right to privacy
 Future thinking
 Refugees and asylum-seekers no threat to our security
 Prosperity with purpose - a fresh approach to some unfinished business
 Reconciliation spirit is vital
 More...
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy