Rights and Responsibilities remains at heart a way
of ensuring public authorities take people's rights
into account when making decisions.
is that authorities' understanding of the Charter
is maturing to the extent that is increasingly being
seen as a useful tool at a practice level.
before it, is positive. Departments and agencies
increasingly view adhering to the Charter as simply
business as usual: providing services to the whole
community, regardless of background, disability,
socio-economic or cultural background, but with
a particular eye on the vulnerable people in the
community.
and public authorities endeavour to do their best
for the community, we also know we can't simply
rely on goodwill when it comes to ensuring rights
are protected.
are included in this report, where issues have
arisen where public officers have simply followed
policy directives, yet their actions have led to
significant breaches of human rights. Avoiding
situations where rights are violated requires
rigorous engagement with the principles that
underpin the Charter.
makes `doing the right thing' more than just a nice
idea or a tick-the-box exercise it's the law.
understanding the Charter and in providing the
tools and resources needed by public authorities
in problem-solving. We work with government,
state and local, in reviewing existing policy, and
proactively work with them before the introduction
of new policy, to ensure they have thought through
the human rights impact of their decisions. We also
work with the courts to provide expert advice on
human rights implications.
including a guide for frontline public servants,
summaries, fact sheets, a new website hub and
hold forums for sharing ideas. We offer customised
training and are happy to work collaboratively
with officers and staff to ensure best possible
standards.
state governments and agencies who contributed
to this report. We are pleased to continue to work
with you to build a community where everyone's
rights are respected.
Acting Commissioner
Victorian Equal Opportunity
and Human Rights Commission