Have your say on human rights protection!
Posted on March 30, 2009 by by emd
There’s a national Human Rights Consultation in Canberra 10am til 12pm Tuesday 31 March.
I went to the first consultation forum today. Overall, it was interesting but really only touched the surface of some complex issues – and motivated me to write a submission before closing date on 15 June 2009.
Positives from today’s forum:
- Hearing fresh views on human rights issues that I hadn’t thought much about before.
- The government seems genuinely interested in hearing the views of the community.
- Everyone gets their chance to have input – even if you don’t get airtime at the forum, you can put your views in writing on the day.
- There were two babies present. Apart from being a great early start to educating the next generation about civic rights and responsibility, there is no better sound in this world than a baby chortling happily in the background.
Not-so-positives:
- Having to listen to various hobby-horses along the lines of “what about me?” and “I don’t want to live in a society where <insert your own issue> is/isn’t protected”.
- Room lighting wasn’t bright enough for reading easily.
On the whole, an event worth going to if you can make it tomorrow morning and have an interest in how we can function harmoniously and respectfully as a society.
Comments RSS Feed
8 Comments to “Have your say on human rights protection!”
"Leave a Comment"
Typeboard uses automatic spam filters, sometimes comments are sent to moderation
Please read our Code of Conduct
Tks for the article Emd.
I had no idea this was on.
(Report comment)
Yes, thanks emd!
I can’t go unfortunately, as it’s the sort of thing that would be right up my alley.
Although I guess I have my own hobby horses, particularly in the area of disability.
(Report comment)
Don’t we all, 99?
L
(Report comment)
Yeah, I have my own specific concerns too. I went as ACT Branch President of Maternity Coalition (pregnancy, birth and postnatal care rights), and as a trainee community educator for the Australian Breastfeeding Association. But I didn’t get on the soapbox about it, I was very happy to join in open discussion of a wide range of issues.
(Report comment)
I had an independent midwife for my 5th child, which was a homebirth, and last I heard they had been treated appallingly shabbily in an effort to stop them practising.
I really think women should have access to a range of childbirth options.
I realise that homebirth is a controversial and highly charged topic, but nobody is forcing anybody to have one who doesn’t want one.
(Report comment)
Totally agree with you. It’s a personal choice, and the government are effectively telling women how to have their babies by not allowing midwives the same access to government-backed indemnity insurance schemes and Medicare provider numbers. If we can choose a private obstetrician, why not a private midwife for those who prefer that model of care?
(Report comment)
Yes – there are a variety of reasons why women will opt for a homebirth and I really resent that several male-dominated industries have colluded to deny me my choice of model for my own birth.
I’m the one who has to do the labour thing – not them! Don’t **** with my birth, turkeys!!
(Report comment)
It’s just like gay marriage and abortion. If you don’t want a homebirth, don’t have one.
L
(Report comment)