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Consultation Process Human Rights - Consultation and Submissions

In April 2005, the Victorian Government appointed an independent Human Rights Consultation Committee to gather community views about the promotion and protection of human rights. 

Community consultation 

The Charter is a statement about the values and principles of the Victorian community. Over six months the Committee held community meetings, public forums and consultation sessions and received written submissions. It became clear that Victorians supported reform that would strengthen their democracy and Victoria's system of government.

The Human Rights Consultation Committee members were: 

• Professor George Williams (Chair) 
• Rhonda Galbally AO 
• Andrew Gaze 
• Professor Haddon Storey QC. 

Pamela Tate SC, was special counsel to the Committee. 

Submissions 

There was an overwhelming response to the Human Rights Consultation with 2,524 written submissions received. This is the highest number of submissions ever received in Australia for a human rights consultation. Over 90 per cent of submissions supported strengthening the legal protection of human rights in Victoria. 

All submissions are available unless the author has refused permission to publish. Submissions containing private information or content which may be regarded as defamatory or vilifying have not been published. The views and opinions expressed in the submissions are those of the author only and do not represent the views of the Consultation Committee or the Department of Justice. 

Submissions are available in PDF format on CD. 

Please contact the Human Rights Unit on 8684 0859 if you would like a copy. 

Human Rights Publications 

The Victorian Government's Human Rights Consultation Project produced several publications including the Victorian Government's Statement of Intent, produced at the project's commencement, the Human Rights Consultation Committee's community consultation paper, which sought community views and input about human rights, and the committee's final report and recommendations. 

Translations of these documents are also available. 

About the Committee Members 

Professor George Williams 

The HRCC was chaired by Professor George Williams, one of Australia's leading experts in public law, particularly human rights and constitutional law. Professor Williams is currently the Anthony Mason Professor of Law at the University of New South Wales and the Director of the Gilbert and Tobin Centre of Public Law. He has also appeared in many Supreme Court (NSW), Federal Court and High Court matters raising issues of public law, human rights law and electoral law. Professor Williams is the author of numerous books, publications, journal articles and research papers covering various aspects of public law. 

Rhonda Galbally AO 

For over 30 years Rhonda Galbally AO has been a leader in developing new approaches to community engagement and addressing disadvantage. Her achievements include: founding and being the first CEO of VicHealth leading the establishment of the Australian Commission for the Future founding the Australian International Health Institute working as the Executive Director of the Myer Foundation. Ms Galbally is Chair of the Disability Advisory Council and Chair of the Royal Women's Hospital. She was awarded the Order of Australia in 1990 and the Centenary Medal in 2003. 

Andrew Gaze 

Andrew Gaze is the most decorated and well-known basketball player in Australia. His achievements include: being voted the Greatest National Basketball League player of the last 25 years by his peers participating in five Olympic Games including selection as flag bearer and Team Captain of the Sydney 2000 Olympic team winning the 1999 United States National Basketball Association Championship with the San Antonio Spurs. 

The Honorouble Professor Haddon Storey QC 

The Hon. Professor Haddon Storey QC was a Liberal member of the Victorian Legislative Council from 1971 to 1996 and Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party in the Legislative Council from 1979 to 1996. His ministerial portfolios included Attorney-General, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Gaming and Minister for Tertiary Education and Training. 

Professor Storey was appointed a Queens Counsel in 1976 and is currently a professorial associate with the Public Sector Research Unit at Victoria University of Technology. He has written many papers and books, mostly on legal or constitutional issues.