Disability

Charter Promotes and Protects Rights of Person with Disability (20 July 2011)

P J B v Melbourne Health & Anor (Patrick’s case) [2011] VSC 327 (19 July 2011) Summary In this case, the Supreme Court of Victoria held that the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal had both failed to interpret law consistently with human rights and had itself failed to act compatibly with human rights in appointing [...]

Government strengthens focus on human rights in Australia’s aid program but rejects a human rights-based approach to development (6 July 2011)

On 6 July 2011, the Foreign Minister announced a comprehensive new strategy for Australia’s aid and development program. The strategy was developed in response to the report of a major independent review of the effectiveness and efficiency of Australia’s program. Launching the strategy, Minister Rudd outlined that “the fundamental purpose of Australian aid is to [...]

Australia has Legal Obligation to Implement Key Human Rights Reforms (1 April 2011)

The Australian Government has a legal obligation to implement key human rights reforms, according to a new submission from the Human Rights Law Centre [submission and annexure]. The submission to the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department considers each of 145 recommendations made to Australia by the international community during Australia’s Universal Periodic Review before the UN Human [...]

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  The current Mental Health Act 1986 (Vic) is more than 20 years old and reflects an outdated and inappropriate approach to the care and treatment of people with mental illness.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 [...]

Disability Rights: Discrimination and Migration Law (Nov 2009)

The Joint Standing Committee on Migration is conducting an inquiry into the health requirements undertaken for Australian visa processing.  The current rules prevent many individuals and families from accessing visas because the applicant or a member of their family has a disability.    The Centre made a submission to the inquiry arguing that that decisions to [...]

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] [...]

Disability Rights: Submission to JSCOT on Ratification of Optional Protocol to Disability Convention (Jan 2009)

On 3 December 2008, following a consultation process, the National Interest Analysis on the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was tabled in Parliament.  The National Interest Analysis supports and recommends that Australia accede to the Optional Protocol.  The Centre previously made submissions to the National Interest Analysis supporting [...]

Disability Rights: Submission on Amendments to Disability Discrimination Act (Jan 2009)

In January 2009, the Human Rights Law Resource Centre made a Submission to the Senate’s review of the Disability Discrimination and Other Human Rights Legislation Amendment Bill 2008 [Word] [PDF].  The submission commends the Australian Government on its commitment to improving the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth), but states that the amendments do not go [...]

Disability Rights: Australia should Ratify OP to Disability Convention (Oct 2008)

Just a few months after ratifying the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Australian Government has initiated a consultation on the Optional Protocol to the CRPD.  In October, the HRLRC made a Submission to the National Interest Analysis in support of Australia’s ratification of the Optional Protocol.  The Optional Protocol establishes two [...]

Disability Rights: Australia Urged to Ratify UN Disability Convention (Feb 2008)

The Human Rights Law Resource Centre has made a submission to the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department strongly supporting ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Optional Protocol to the Convention. It is well recognized that people with disabilities are more vulnerable than the broader community to a range of [...]