Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe has urged the federal government to implement a Federal Human Rights Act, arguing the country is long overdue for a human rights framework to be enshrined into law.

On Thursday, Labor MP and chair of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights, Josh Burns, tabled a report recommending the creation of a Federal Human Rights Act.

Currently, Australia remains one of the few democratic nations in the world without a charter of human rights in either legislation or the Constitution.

On Thursday Senator Thorpe, who was also on the parliamentary committee, argued the introduction of a Human Rights Act in the country was long overdue.

"We must stop denying people the fundamental protections under international human rights laws that they are entitled to," the Gunnai Gunditjmara and Djab Wurrung woman from Victoria said.

"I strongly support the government legislating a Federal Human Rights Act."

In March last year, the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) released a proposed model for the act and suggested it could provide safeguards to prevent programs that breach human rights in the country.

The report's key recommendations included the incorporating of human rights considerations into government policy-making and the operations of the public service, as well as the establishment of consistent and transparent monitoring of Australia's adherence to their human rights obligations.

In introducing the bill, Mr Burns said human rights were "more than a talking point," invoking recent issues such as the Robodebt and Disability Royal Commissions.

"They [human rights] encompass the right for every Australian to have a safe and secure home, an adequate standard of living, a healthy environment, and the freedom to be who they are – regardless of race, religion, sexuality, gender, or ethnicity," Mr Burns said.

"Australia remains one of the few liberal democracies without a bill of rights or a human rights act. It's time we start the conversation about what needs to be done so we can get there."

However, the Coalition released a dissenting report, with Liberal MP Henry Pike arguing it was "flawed," as well as "unnecessary and dangerous".

Despite evidence in the Royal Commission showing people receiving illegal debt notices that led to suicide, Mr Pike said advocates of the act had failed to show insufficient protection of human rights under the status quo, and it would put "excessive restrictions" on the freedoms of religion and expression.

This is the only democratic country in the world without a charter of human rights in legislation or the Constitution.

Today the Parliamentary Human Rights Committee that I sit on has recommended that Australia establish a Human Rights Act.

Read more:https://t.co/WCWhSOjLXG

— Senator Lidia Thorpe (@SenatorThorpe) May 30, 2024

Mr Burns said the committee had received 300 submissions and more than 4,000 letters, with the vast majority supporting the AHRC model.

Independent MP Kylea Tink told parliament: "Despite what we just heard from the opposition…96 per cent of the submissions to this committee supported the introduction of a Human Rights Act."

"Numerous royal commissions have shown us what happens when we fail to properly consider the impact of government action on the rights of vulnerable people," Ms Tink said.

The decision has been backed by human rights groups, who have urged the government to implement the act urgently to protect those most vulnerable — including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

"First Peoples were the first defenders of human rights on this continent in the face of brutal colonisation, and First Peoples across the world today continue to fight for basic human rights," Ms Thorpe said.

"It's critical to remember that this government both regularly breaches human rights and tasks itself with upholding and implementing those same rights. That irony isn't lost on me."

Australian Council of Social Services chief executive Cassandra Goldie said the Robodebt scandal highlighted how vulnerable people were to government overreach and abuses of power without human rights protections.

"We need a Human Rights Act that provides protections for people against human rights abuses and builds a culture of respect for basic rights for all," Dr Goldie said.

"It will be vital to include economic and social rights in the Act."

This was reiterated by Amnesty International Australia, with national director Sam Klintworth arguing the status quo leaves "victims without recourse to address human rights abuses."

"With a Human Rights Act people can create better lives for themselves and their communities," he said.

Ms Thorpe argued the evidence of human rights violations by the current government was "clear."

"Just look at the child removal system, the prison system, the ongoing destruction of Country, or the government policies that have left people trapped in poverty without access to safe housing, enough food, or even safe drinking water," Ms Thorpe said.

"This country clearly has a long way to go. A Human Rights Act would be a starting point to begin correcting these wrongs and changing course.

"So, I urge all sides of parliament to come together to back this important step."