The Close the Gap Campaign supports the Human Rights Bill 2026 because health equity depends on the recognition, protection and fulfilment of human rights.
Now before the House of Representatives, the Bill would establish a national framework to advance and protect human rights in Australia, including through additional powers and functions for the Australian Human Rights Commission.
For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the right to health is inseparable from selfdetermination, culture, equality, non-discrimination, participation in decision-making and freedom from racism.
Since its establishment, the Close the Gap Campaign has been an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led, rights-based social justice campaign advocating for health equity and improved life outcomes. We have consistently called on governments to move beyond shortterm programs and narrow reporting frameworks, and to deliver the structural reforms needed to change the systems, institutions and policies that continue to produce inequity.
A national Human Rights Act would embed dignity, fairness, participation and accountability in government decision-making. It would require public authorities to consider human rights when developing laws, policies and services, and give people clearer pathways to raise concerns when their rights are not respected.
For the Close the Gap Campaign, this reform is central to Closing the Gap’s original purpose. Closing the Gap was never intended to be only a set of targets; it was intended to drive change grounded in rights, shared power, self determination and accountability. A Human Rights Act would help create the conditions for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to enjoy the highest attainable standard of health and wellbeing.
That is why we are asking supporters to contact their MP and urge them to support the Human Rights Bill 2026. This is an opportunity to strengthen Australia’s human rights protections and advance a fairer, more accountable system that respects the rights, dignity and leadership of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Human Rights at the Heart of Closing the Gap
Media Statement – July 2026
A national Human Rights Act would give practical force to the rights, dignity and leadership that must sit at the centre of Closing the Gap.
CLOSETHEGAP
Supporters can visit the Close the Gap website (resources page) to access email and letter templates and use them to contact their local MP, urging them to support the Human Rights Bill 2026 and help put human rights at the heart of Closing the Gap.
