Courts would be compelled to recognise broader interests in those seeking justice. It enjoyed high public support, with public opinion polls consistently showing approval rates of 70-80 per cent. All four national political parties and most lawyers, including judges, supported the Charter. However, the rights were not absolute. Section 33 allows a legislature expressly to provide that particular legislation shall operate notwithstanding some other sections.
Parliament has the last word.
Her greatest fear, however, was that a Bill of Rights could become a token of concern enabling governments to avoid responsibility for thorough-going implementation of human rights. Human rights were indivisible, he said. Mr Dodson also said the Bill put to the Australian people should emerge from a process whereby everyone had a voice in its articulation. Rights in the Bill would be additional to existing rights and not in derogation of them. Administrative and enforcement mechanisms would be set up to ensure observance of the Rights.