Peak Legal Bodies Have United To Support A Human Rights Act For NSW

With a Bill being introduced two weeks ago, peak legal bodies have now united over the need for a strong Human Rights Act in NSW.

In late October, Greens NSW spokesperson for Human Rights and Member for Newtown Jenny Leong introduced the Human Rights Bill 2025.

Dominic Toomey SC, President of the NSW Bar Association, and Jennifer Ball, President of the NSW Law Society, are urging for it to be reviewed closely and receive feedback from a parliamentary committee.

“For too long, NSW has failed to provide appropriate protection through an established human rights framework for the rights of our state’s population, particularly those of disadvantaged members of our community,” said Toomey SC.

He says that a public inquiry would allow Parliament to hear from experts and people affected, and help shape a beneficial act.

Ball shares a similar sentiment.

“Appropriately framed legislation could strengthen the protection and promotion of human rights in NSW as well as helping to foster social cohesion and providing fairness and justice to the community.”

The ongoing battle for the NSW Human Rights Act

Having a Human Rights Act in NSW has been a long-standing issue for years.

According to the Parliamentary Research Service, the calls for one date back to 2001, when the Legislative Council Standing Committee on Law and Justice considered a bill of rights, but a large majority was opposed to it.

As a result, the Legislation Review Committee was established in 2003 to draw attention to human rights issues identified in new laws.

Later in 2006, NSW Attorney General Bob Debus proposed a consultation, which did not lead to any changes.

The same can be said between 2005 and 2010, when Private Member’s Bills didn’t go anywhere.

Momentum began to build in early 2025 when Leong gave notice of a Private Member’s Bill to establish a Human Rights Act. The government expressed its openness to the idea.

“The NSW Government cannot be trusted when it comes to protecting and promoting human rights for people in our state – which is why it is time for the Parliament to act and why we are today giving notice of a Bill to introduce a Human Rights Act for NSW,” said Leong.

Almost 700 people signed Amnesty International’s petition which called on Premier Chris Minns to legislate a Human Rights Act, and 64 Amnesty activists formed the NSW Human Rights Act Group, which worked to secure a Human Rights Act.