There is one measure which, if adopted in Australia, would make an important difference to this flawed democracy of ours: it is a Charter of Rights. The response to the idea of a Charter of Rights is not easily summarised
One of the few philosophical precepts which is practically universal is captured in the Christian teaching: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. In its original Biblical expression it says: ‘Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets
Climate change represents the greatest challenge to human existence we have ever experienced ... For most people, the idea that our planet will become impossible for human life is nearly impossible to accept. Denying the possibility is easy and comforting. Not one of us would like to think that the quality of our lifestyle will cost a future generation the possibility of continued existence
It is not difficult to articulate the core elements of any human rights framework: we should acknowledge as inalienable rights those conditions that are generally regarded as indispensable for a decent human existence. Traditionally, human rights have not been seen to depend on, or arise from, membership of a particular society. They arise from the fact of being human