National human rights consultation can benefit from Victoria's experience

10/12/2008

The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission welcomes the Federal Government’s commitment to proceed with consultation on the question of National Charter of Human Rights.

Commission Chief Executive Officer, Dr Helen Szoke said the announcement was an exciting development, “which gives us an added cause for celebration today, the 60th anniversary of the United Nations declaration of the Universal Charter of Human Rights.”

“The gesture is more than symbolic. It confirms the important place of human rights on the political and social agenda and the Government’s commitment to the protection and promotion of human rights in Australia.

“Human rights are now understood, not as a separate set of considerations or an additional regulatory burden, but rather as principles that can enhance public administration and provide an insurance policy for the Australian community.

Dr Szoke said the Federal Government had the benefit of two ‘test cases’ in Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory, both of which have human rights laws in place.

“The approach we have taken is to ensure government departments and authorities comply with human rights at the outset; when laws are made, policies formed and services delivered. The onus is on the government to get it right in the first place so that ordinary people aren’t unnecessarily burdened later on,” she said.

The Commission has worked with the community to educate and advise them on how to assert their rights; with public bodies to educate them about their responsibilities to implement the Charter; assisted courts to utilise the Charter in their decision-making and assisted the Government to consider human rights in the process of drafting new legislation.

“Our work has shown that it is possible to realise the process of providing a human rights insurance policy to the community,” said Dr Szoke. “We look forward to working in collaboration with the community, the federal government and other bodies from around Australia in the consultation towards a National Charter.”