Raising issues directly with a school
A Victorian student with a learning
disability was threatened with
expulsion by his school due to his
behavioural issues. His advocate
outlined to both the school and to the
Department of Education and Early
Childhood Development the student’s
relevant human rights as protected in
the Victorian Charter. As a result of the
communication, the boy was provided
with support, which reduced his
behavioural issues, and consequently,
he was allowed to stay on at the
school.
Extracted from Human Rights Alliance for
NSW submission to Free & Equal
Raising issues with a Government
department
Amendments to the law in Victoria
allowed same sex couples to access
superannuation death benefits
from one another. Because the
amendments operated prospectively,
they discriminated against older
people in same sex relationships.
An older woman and her advocate
wrote to the Human Rights Unit at the
Department of Justice advocating for
an amendment to the law based on the
claim that the amendments should be
consistent with the Charter of Human
Rights and Responsibilities Act. As a
result an amendment to the law was
made so that same sex couples could
access superannuation death benefits
both retrospectively and prospectively.
Systemic changes to policing
in Victoria
Victoria Police conducted a major
human rights project to assess risks
arising from the detention of people
in police cells across Victoria. As a
result of the review, Victoria Police
introduced standard policies, informed
by human rights considerations,
across all its police cell complexes. The
policies focused on reforms including
installation of drinking water facilities;
removal of hanging points; rules
around professional and personal visits;
appropriate exercise yards and seating;
dimming lights overnight; natural light
and exercise. The review also involved
physical assessment of cell complexes
and upgrades, including installing
smoke detectors and duress alarms.
These reforms promote the humane
treatment of people detained in police
cells. In turn, they help to reduce the
risk of self-harm, deaths in custody and
mistreatment.
Extracted from Human Rights Law Centre,
101 Charter Cases.91
Extracted from the PIAC submission to the
2006 Victorian Charter Review.90
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