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State of Rights Press
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The Age - June 23, 2005Human rights charter will protect all VictoriansSome groups accuse the Victorian Government, which is engaged in community consultation on enhancing human rights protection, of reneging on its commitment to a human rights charter (The Age, 20/6). Liberty Victoria, however, welcomes the Government's commitment to enhancing the protection of human rights. A charter is crucial to this task. It alone provides the human rights framework against which to assess the legislative and administrative actions of future governments. We have lobbied for a human rights charter for Victorians for decades. A fisherman denied just compensation for his cancelled commercial licence should see the government justify legislating away his right to a livelihood against the charter or desist. The local community, faced with a toxic waste site, should know that the government cannot curtail its protest unless it can justify its action against the charter. All Victorians expect the government to justify limitations on media scrutiny of executive action against the charter or desist. Any Victorian parent expects the government to justify the closing of their local school against the charter or desist. All Victorians expect the government to justify closing a local health service against the charter or desist. Liberty Victoria believes Victorians want better human rights protection. They expect their Government to consciously strive for this. Liberty knows this consultation does not deliver all it could. Nevertheless, it is pleased that the Government has begun a consultation, and is saddened that the opposition parties are not pushing for a more thorough consultation, nor for a broader charter. This is an opportunity to lobby for what is right and long overdue. Push the politicians aside. Victorians have a proud history of leading Australian social and political developments. We should do so again. Liberty encourages all Victorians to participate in this consultation as bold citizens pushing the politicians to introduce broad and effective tools to protect our human rights. Jamie Gardiner and Anne O'Rourke, vice-presidents, Liberty Victoria |
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The Justice Project Inc - P.O.Box 2595 Fitzroy, Victoria, 3065 |
info@thejusticeproject.com.au |
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