National Charter push

16/06/2009

Victoria's human rights charter would make an excellent template for a proposed national charter, according to the state's human rights watchdog.

In its submission to the National Human Rights Consultation, the Victorian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (VEOHRC) has recommended that the Victorian charter model be adapted federally.

VEOHRC Chief Executive, Dr Helen Szoke, said the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities has been a resounding success, and critics who claimed it would interfere with legislative process were wrong.

"Their comments contradict the demonstrated experience of Victoria, the Australian Capital Territory and other jurisdictions we use as a guide," she said.

"In Victoria, the Charter has been operating for 18 months and it has resulted in wins for all involved.

"It simply means that state parliament must look at any proposed legislation through the human rights lens - to measure planned laws against the rights contained in the Charter," she said.

"Also, in our experience, the Charter helps ordinary people to challenge existing public services and policies to make them more fair and humane for all."

Examples include: young people with head injuries saved from placement in aged care facilities, a woman with an acquired brain injury who gained access to surgery for a severe condition and services reinstated for a person with a disability after service providers considered his right to receive treatment.

As the only state in Australia to have enshrined human rights, Victoria is arguably the human rights capital of Australia, Dr Szoke said.

"And, as Australia is the last remaining western democracy in the world without a federal charter, we urge the Federal Government to introduce one without delay," she said.

Submissions to the National Human Rights Consultation are now being considered and recommendations are expected later this year.