Charter of Human Rights in Victoria

[Sam]

The ACT has had the Human Rights Act for some time now, and Victoria
seems set to introduce a Charter of Human Rights, following the
recommendations of a consultation committee. The committee had received
2500 submissions, covering a wide range of issues, such as the rights
for minorities and indigenous groups.

The recommendation is that the Victorian Supreme Court could declare
Victorian legislation incompatible with the Charter, thus referring the
legislation back to parliament for amendment.

Contentious issues are likely to be access to medical records, dress
policy at school (specifically the right to wear religion-specific
clothing, such as the Christian cross, the Islamic hijab, the Sikh
turban and the Jewish yarmulke) and homeschooling.

Sam