Controversial charter up for review

FOR the past four years, the government, police, local councils and other public bodies have been bound to treat Victorians fairly under the Human Rights Charter. Lawmaking has also fallen under the charter, so that new laws do not legalise discrimination.

But now, having given the controversial charter time to take hold, the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission is reviewing it at the behest of the Victorian Government.

Dr Helen Szoke, the commissioner for the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission, told The AJN the charter was introduced by the Brumby government “to change the culture of how government interacts with its citizens”.

“It actively applies to police and all state entities, and also organisations funded to deliver service on the part of the state,” Dr Szoke said.

She said since the Human Rights Charter’s introduction, government departments have pursued a respect agenda and it has made legislating more transparent.

“The changes have been gradual,” she said when asked about the impact of the charter. “We’ve still got a long way to go.”

The charter has been particularly important for Victoria’s multicultural communities because, Dr Szoke said, it stopped public organisations from just talking about inclusion and diversity to actually taking action.

Asked whether the review is a political stunt by the Coalition, which has repealed some of the previous government’s discrimination laws, Dr Szoke said the review was statutory requirement.

Victorian Attorney-General Robert Clark has previously described the document as a waste of money and a full of flaws.

But Dr Szoke did indicate that the Human Rights Charter will be more effective if both sides of politics support it.

“From our perspective, one of the things that is critical is if human rights laws are going to progress they need political leadership and bipartisan support,” she said.

“I think it is very positive that a cross-party committee is conducting the consulting, the Attorney-General is very specific about his concerns, he’s been very specific with his comments, it is not up to the Victorian community to have its say.”

Submissions to the Human Rights Commissions must be received by June 10, visit www.humanrightscommission.vic.gov.au/charterreview

NAOMI LEVIN