Australias Engagement with Economic and Social Rights

This book is a contemporary socio-legal study of Australias protection of economic and social rights. Despite Australias hortatory language of compliance with international rights standards, its translation of these standards into domestic law and policy has been found wanting. In considering Australias compliance across the policy areas of health, housing, labour and social security, it is argued that Australias failings can be understood in terms of its institutional framework. This framework provides incomplete legal protection for rights and leaves that protection almost exclusively in the realm of politics and policymaking, an arena still dominated by neoliberalism and a political culture averse to the protection and promotion of economic and social rights.

Russell Solomon teaches law in the Global Urban and Social Studies School at RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia.