Which statement by Anne Twomey reflects a view that Australia already has a bill of rights through international instruments?

• A. The constitution provides a comprehensive list of rights.
• B. Australia has a bill of rights through international treaties and related legislation.
• C. Rights can only be protected through common law.
• D. The ICCPR alone constitutes a bill of rights.

Answer: (B)

Rights protection in Australia comes from a mix of international commitments and domestic law, not a single constitutional bill of rights. Anne Twomey’s view is that Australia already has a bill of rights through international treaties it has ratified, like the ICCPR, and the domestic legislation that gives those treaty rights force and effect. This means rights exist because international obligations are translated into Australian law, creating an enforceable rights framework even though the constitution itself doesn’t list a comprehensive set of rights. This interpretation best fits the idea that rights come from international agreements implemented at the domestic level, rather than from a formal constitutional catalog.