Australian Council of Human Rights Authorities Communiqué 28 April 2017 The Australian Council of Human Rights Authorities (ACHRA), which comprises the State, Territory and Federal human rights and discrimination authorities, recently met in Sydney on 27-28 April 2017 to consider a number of issues of common concern and interest. Changes of Commissioners ACHRA acknowledges the positive contribution of Gillian Triggs, who finishes her term as President in July 2017. We pay tribute to her inspiring leadership, courage, resilience, wisdom and compassion. ACHRA also welcomes two new Commissioners John Byrne (WA Commissioner for Equal – Opportunity) and Sarah Bolt (Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Commissioner). Gender equality ACHRA reaffirms our support for the important work being done around Australia to promote gender equality in institutions, beginning with the Australian Human Rights work in the Commission’s seminal Defence Forces. The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) and the South Australian Equal Opportunity Commission (SAEOC) are continuing to work with the police departments in their respective States to monitor and audit progress against the recommendations in their reports into sex discrimination and sexual harassment, including predatory behaviour among police personnel. VEOHRC is also undertaking a review to examine the nature and prevalence of discrimination, including bullying and sexual harassment in the Country Fire Authority and Metropolitan Fire Brigade. Disability equality ACHRA heard from Louise Glanville, Deputy CEO, of the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) about the rollout of the NDIS, and the National Quality and Safeguarding Framework that engenders the of ‘dignity risk’ principle. ACHRA welcomed the work of the Senate Inquiry into Indefinite Detention of People with Cognitive and Psychiatric Impairment. We also heard from Dr Anna Arstein-Kerslake from the University of Melbourne about action-oriented research into fitness to plead in criminal cases involving people with cognitive and psychiatric impairments in NT, NSW and Victoria. ACHRA calls on States and Territory jurisdictions to review their legislation to ensure compliance with human rights obligations in respect of fitness to plead in criminal matters and lawful detention. Optional Protocol on Convention Against Torture ACHRA welcomes the Australian to ratify the Optional Protocol Against Government’s announcement Torture (OPCAT) by the end of 2017. OPCAT provides for independent monitoring of all places of detention, and it has the potential to play a vital role in improving conditions of detention throughout Australia. With the Australian Human Rights Commission consulting stakeholders on how OPCAT should
Australian Council of Human Rights Authorities Communiqué 28 April 2017 The Australian Council of Human Rights Authorities (ACHRA), which comprises the State, Territory and Federal human rights and discrimination authorities, recently met in Sydney on 27-28 April 2017 to consider a number of issues of common concern and interest. Changes of Commissioners ACHRA acknowledges the positive contribution of Gillian Triggs, who finishes her term as President in July 2017. We pay tribute to her inspiring leadership, courage, resilience, wisdom and compassion. ACHRA also welcomes two new Commissioners – John Byrne (WA Commissioner for Equal Opportunity) and Sarah Bolt (Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Commissioner). Gender equality ACHRA reaffirms our support for the important work being done around Australia to promote gender equality in institutions, beginning with the Australian Human Rights Commission’s seminal work in the Defence Forces. The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) and the South Australian Equal Opportunity Commission (SAEOC) are continuing to work with the police departments in their respective States to monitor and audit progress against the recommendations in their reports into sex discrimination and sexual harassment, including predatory behaviour among police personnel. VEOHRC is also undertaking a review to examine the nature and prevalence of discrimination, including bullying and sexual harassment in the Country Fire Authority and Metropolitan Fire Brigade. Disability equality ACHRA heard from Louise Glanville, Deputy CEO, of the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) about the rollout of the NDIS, and the National Quality and Safeguarding Framework that engenders the ‘dignity of risk’ principle. ACHRA welcomed the work of the Senate Inquiry into Indefinite Detention of People with Cognitive and Psychiatric Impairment. We also heard from Dr Anna Arstein-Kerslake from the University of Melbourne about action-oriented research into fitness to plead in criminal cases involving people with cognitive and psychiatric impairments in NT, NSW and Victoria. ACHRA calls on States and Territory jurisdictions to review their legislation to ensure compliance with human rights obligations in respect of fitness to plead in criminal matters and lawful detention. Optional Protocol on Convention Against Torture ACHRA welcomes the Australian Government’s announcement to ratify the Optional Protocol Against Torture (OPCAT) by the end of 2017. OPCAT provides for independent monitoring of all places of detention, and it has the potential to play a vital role in improving conditions of detention throughout Australia. With the Australian Human Rights Commission consulting stakeholders on how OPCAT should
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