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Inquiry into Australia’s Human Rights Framework

Inquiry into Australia’s Human Rights Framework

Reconciliation Australia provided a submission to the Parliamentary Joint Committee’s Inquiry into Australia’s Human Rights Framework, which also positioned the AHRC’s Free and Equal position paper’s proposal as an essential component to ensure that the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) is embedded alongside a national Human Rights Act in Australia.

Our recommendations focused on embedding structural processes for ongoing First Nations participation, which is essential to support principles of self-determination.

  1. National Human Rights Act should be established to address the gaps in human rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at a federal level.
  2. UNDRIP should be comprehensively embedded within a national Human Rights Act to protect the unique rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia.
  3. Existing national frameworks that seek to protect and advance the human rights of First Nations people should be well-resourced and supported.
  4. Any steps should only occur with the genuine participation of and consultation with First Nations people from the outset.
Graphic with orange, yellow and brown splashes under the red Reconciliation Australia - five curved lined, styled like a bridge or a rising sun.

Inquiry into Australia’s Human Rights Framework

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Paul House with gum leaves and smoke
Paul Girrawah House

Paul Girrawah House has multiple First Nation ancestries from the South-East Canberra region, including the Ngambri-Ngurmal (Walgalu), Pajong (Gundungurra), Wallabollooa (Ngunnawal) and Erambie/Brungle (Wiradyuri) family groups.

Paul acknowledges his diverse First Nation history, he particularly identifies as a descendant of Onyong aka Jindoomang from Weereewaa (Lake George) and Henry ‘Black Harry’ Williams from Namadgi who were both multilingual, essentially Walgalu-Ngunnawal-Wiradjuri speaking warriors and Ngunnawal–Wallaballooa man William Lane aka ‘Billy the Bull’ - Murrjinille.

Paul was born at the old Canberra hospital in the centre of his ancestral country and strongly acknowledges his First Nation matriarch ancestors, in particular his mother Dr Aunty Matilda House-Williams and grandmother, Ms Pearl Simpson-Wedge.

Paul completed a Bachelor of Community Management from Macquarie University, and Graduate Certificate in Wiradjuri Language, Culture and Heritage and Management from CSU.

Paul provided the Welcome to Country for the 47th Opening of Federal Parliament in 2022. Paul is Board Director, Ngambri Local Aboriginal Land Council, Member Indigenous Reference Group, National Museum of Australia and Australian Government Voice Referendum Engagement Group.  

Paul works on country with the ANU, First Nations Portfolio as a Senior Community Engagement Officer

Acknowledgement of Country

Reconciliation Australia acknowledges Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing  connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present. 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples should be aware that this website contains images or names of people who have passed away.

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