Ken Wyatt (Hasluck, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

by leave—I rise to support and acknowledge the chair's tabling statement, which identifies the work of the committee and its achievements thus far, as well as the intent of the work that we will undertake over the next 12 months, or for the duration of this parliament. Whilst the committee found the workload daunting, it nevertheless turned its focus with a high degree of rigour and attention to detail of the legislation and to the requirements requested and expected of us in the context of the act. The committee will work to ensure that human rights principles are considered by all who are involved in the legislative process. Increasing awareness of human rights will engender an established process of best practice at all levels that will be readily applied to all policy and legislative processes required to be undertaken.

The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights plays a significant role in developing a broader awareness of human rights within the Australian parliament, the Australian Public Service and, ultimately, the broader community. The level of support and stewardship of the chair has ensured that the task we have been given remains challenging but achievable in the context of the way we work. I support the chair's comment that the members of the committee have worked as parliamentarians rather than politicians in delivering the report and the statement that have been heard in the House today.

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