Submissions – Mental Health

Mental Health: Submission on Mental Health Bill Exposure Draft (Vic) (17 Dec 2010)

In November 2010, the Victorian Department of Health released an Exposure Draft of the Mental Health Bill 2010 for public comment.  The current Mental Health Act 1986 (Vic) is more than 20 years old and reflects an outdated and inappropriate approach to the care and treatment of people with mental illness. The HRLRC has made [...]

Universal Periodic Review: Joint NGO Report on Australia (12 July 2010)

Australia is to be reviewed by the UN Human Rights Council through the Universal Periodic Review process in January 2011. A coalition of 68 NGOs - coordinated by the Human Rights Law Resource Centre, Kingsford Legal Centre and the National Association of Community Legal Centres - has submitted a 5 page Report to the UN Human Rights Council [...]

Human Rights Safeguards Needed under Severe Substance Dependence Treatment Bill (Jan 2010)

The Severe Substance Dependence Treatment Bill 2009 (Vic), currently before Victorian Parliament, proposes to introduce short-term involuntary detention and treatment for persons with severe substance dependence in circumstances where it is necessary as a matter of urgency to save a person’s life or prevent serious damage to a person’s health.  The Human Rights Law Resource [...]

Right to Health: Briefing Paper on Australia to UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health (Sept 2009)

In September 2009, the HRLRC prepared a Briefing Paper on Health and Human Rights in Australia for the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health, Anand Grover, in advance of his country mission to Australia in November and December 2009. The Briefing Paper considers a range of issues regarding realisation of the right to [...]

ICESCR: NGO Reports for UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Review of Australia (May 2009)

The UN Committee on Economic Social and Cultural Rights will review Australia’s compliance with the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Geneva on 5 and 6 May 2009.  On 4 May 2009, a non-government delegation, comprising representatives from the Human Rights Law Resource Centre, the National Association of Community Legal Centres and Kingsford Legal Centre, will brief [...]

ICCPR: NGO Reports for UN Human Rights Committee Review of Australia (March 2009)

The UN Human Rights Committee will review the state of human rights in Australia in March 2009 in New York. On 16 and 23 March, the Committee will be briefed by a coalition of leading Australian human rights organisations, including the Human Rights Law Resource Centre, the National Association of Community Legal Centres and Amnesty International.  [...]

Mental Health: Submission to Review of Mental Health Act 1986 (Vic) (Feb 2009)

On 8 May 2008 the Minister for Health announced a review of the Mental Health Act 1986 (Vic).  In December 2008 a Consultation Paper designed to stimulate discussion and raise key issues was released.  This submission by the Human Rights Law Resource Centre, Dignity, Equality, Freedom and Respect: A Human Rights-Based Approach to Mental Health [Word] [...]

Mental Health: Submission on Review of Victorian Mental Health Strategy (July 2008)

In May 2008, the Victorian Government Department of Human Services commenced a broad review of mental health services. People with mental illness in Victoria experience discrimination within society and the health care system which causes significant social disadvantage.   The review aims to shift focus from a response based on illness and acute intervention to one [...]