On 2 Oct 2026, the historic three-day hearings of the Parliamentary inquiry into the Greens’ Human Rights Bill commenced. The Greens’ Bill was referred to the Committee for inquiry in March 2026 by unanimous agreement of the Legislative Assembly.
Jenny Leong MP, the NSW Greens’ spokesperson for Human Rights and member for Newtown, welcomed the evidence provided by the NSW Human Rights Act Alliance showing overwhelming support for a Human Rights Act and the strong case studies that demonstrate how stronger human rights protections will improve the lives of people in NSW.
Of the 268 submissions received before the hearings commenced, over 85% voiced support for a Human Rights Act while fewer than 10% were opposed.
The hearing opened with evidence from witnesses representing the Human Rights Alliance for NSW, a coalition of 150 First Nations, community and legal organisations, frontline service providers, faith bodies and trade unions, whose opening statement highlighted polling that shows 76% of people in NSW support a Human Rights Act.
Over three days, the inquiry will hear from a broad range of organisations, frontline services and advocacy groups representing First Nations people, children, women, people with a disability, older people, the LQBTQIA+ community, victim-survivors of sexual violence, refugees and migrants, people experiencing homelessness, tenants, faith communities, workers and the union movement, community legal centres and the legal community.
As stated by Jenny Leong, the Greens NSW spokesperson for Human Rights and member for Newtown:
“Before this inquiry commenced, we knew that 76% of people supported a Human Rights Act in NSW, and now we know that an overwhelming number of the 268 submissions also support this reform – with 85% indicating support, and only 10% being opposed.”
“In every Australian jurisdiction with a human rights act or charter, a robust public inquiry paved the way for this critical reform.”
“These historic hearings in NSW into the Greens’ Human Rights Bill represent the success of a grassroots campaign of hundreds of diverse organisations and supporters who know NSW needs a Human Rights Act.”
“With so many of our fundamental rights under pressure right now, whether it is the right to housing, healthcare, education, free speech and protest, or the rights First Nations people, a Human Rights Act provides hope for practical relief and enduring change.”
“Trust in our democracy is declining as governments fail to protect fundamental human rights. While the far-right is using this dissatisfaction to divide our community, the Greens are proud to stand with the positive and unifying campaign for a Human Rights Act.”
