If steps are not taken by the NSW Government to engage in community consultation, the State will be left on the sidelines in this important national debate, Law Society of NSW president John McIntyre warned last week.

“All major western democracies have adopted a Bill of Rights in one form or another except Australia. The ACT has done so and Victoria is moving close by assembling a consultative group to involve communities in the debate,” McIntyre said.

“NSW needs to take a similar approach and develop a panel to facilitate public discussion and ask the important question of whether our rights and responsibilities should be enshrined,” he said.

McIntyre said the community had a right to be consulted and have a say and urged the State Government to explore the arguments for and against a Bill of Rights in the public arena.