Commission releases local government human rights report card

15/04/2008

The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission today released its first report on the operation of the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities.

Commission Chairperson, Fiona Smith, said while the Commission was generally satisfied with the progress on Human Rights Charter operation, there was room for improvement. The report raises concerns about the apparent lack of action by almost one third of local councils.

Ms Smith said the Commission recognised the difficulties faced by local councils in implementing the Charter.

“It’s clear to us that councils are under-resourced in this task. Local government needs to be better funded to take stronger action to implement the Charter, starting now.”

Ms Smith praised the Cities of Darebin, Hume, Maribyrnong, Whittlesea and Greater Dandenong and the Shire of Nillumbik for “doing an impressive job implementing the Charter.”

“But disappointingly, almost a third of all Victorian local councils haven’t provided us with any evidence of their preparation for the Charter.”

“This suggests that some councils may not be engaging with Victoria’s new human rights, which is troubling since it is in the work of local government where the community will see and feel most of the results of human rights protections – in areas like childcare, aged services, local planning and community health.”

Under the Charter, the Commission has a number of responsibilities including reporting on the operation of the Charter every year.

Tabled in Parliament today, The 2007 Report on the Operation of the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities: First steps forward, provides an overview of how well State and local government agencies, Parliament and the courts and tribunals have prepared themselves for the Charter’s introduction, and their responsibility to comply with it.

Under the Charter, State and local government and public authorities have to consider the human rights outlined in the Charter when they make laws, decisions and deliver services.

Copies of the Charter report and a summary report are available here

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