Charter of Human Rights
The Charter of Human Rights is part of State Government legislation and sets out a number of important human rights, particularly civil and political rights.
What are Human Rights?
What is The Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities?
Who does the Charter protect?
Why is a Charter needed?
How is a Charter relevant to Council?
Further Information
City of Monash Complaints
What are Human Rights?
Human rights are the basic rights that belong to all of us. They have been recognised around the world as the basic standards required for governments, societies and communities to operate in a respectful and peaceful manner.
Human rights are the foundation for freedom, justice, peace and respect, and are an essential part of any democratic and inclusive society that respects the rule of law, human dignity and equality.
Everyone has the same human rights. Human rights are about recognising and respecting the dignity of other people.
What is The Charter Of Human Rights And Responsibilities?
The Charter is a law that sets out a number of important human rights, particularly civil and political rights. It recognises that all people are born free and equal in dignity and human rights. It protects people's human rights in Victoria and it obliges public authorities to observe human rights.
There are 20 individual rights that are protected under the charter.
For information on these, visit the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission website
Who does The Charter protect?
The Charter provides equal protection to all people in Victoria. It does not give rights to corporations.
Why is a Charter needed?
Although some human rights are already protected in other laws, several others such as freedom of speech, had no clear legal protection.
The Charter ensures that human rights are made a priority when laws and decisions are made and when a service is provided.
How is The Charter relevant to Council?
The Charter will affect most areas of Council's operations, as all policies, strategies and decisions will need to be considered in relation to human rights.
Further Information
For further information on the Council's responsibilities in relation to the Charter, please contact Jarrod Doake, Council's Chief Operating Officer, on 9518 3521.
For further information regarding the Charter of Human Rights, please contact the Human Rights Unit at the Department of Justice, on 8684 0859 or go to www.justice.vic.gov.au
City of Monash Complaints
The following process has been developed to ensure that any complaint concerning a possible breach of rights under the Charter of Human Rights is dealt with in an appropriate manner.
Receipt Of Complaint
- A complaint must be made in writing.
- The complaint will be forwarded to the Council's Manager Corporate Administration.
- An acknowledgement letter will be forwarded to the complainant within 14 days of receipt, advising that -
- The complaint will be investigated.
- Findings of complaint will be conveyed to the complainant, in writing, within 28 days.
- The complainant may request a review of the findings to the Council's Chief Executive Officer.
- The Complainant may write to the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission if they are not satisfied with the outcome of the review.
Assessment Of Complaint Received
An assessment of the complaint is made & the complainant is advised in writing by the Council's Manager Corporate Administration.
Review Of Complaint
If the person making the complaint is not satisfied with the outcome of the findings, they may write to the Council's Chief Executive Officer, requesting a review of the findings.
Where a request for a review is received, the Chief Executive Officer will make a determination on the findings & advise the complainant in writing within 14 days of receiving the request for a review.
Victorian Equal Opportunity And Human Rights Commission
The Complainant may write to the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission if they are not satisfied with the outcome of the review.
The Commission's contact details for complaints are - complaints@veohrc.vic.gov.au
Making A Complaint
A complaint regarding a possible breach of rights under the Charter may be addressed to:
Jarrod Doake
Chief Operating Officer
City of Monash
PO Box 1
Glen Waverley VIC 3150