101 cases
of how Human Rights ACTS make our lives better
No matter who we are or where we are, our lives are better when we all treat each other with fairness and respect and when we can all enjoy our rights and freedoms. Human Rights Acts and Charters promote respect for human rights and give people power to take action if their rights are breached.
The 101 cases set out here highlight the benefits Human Rights Acts and Charters have brought to people in the ACT, Victoria and Queensland. These cases also highlight the need for a national Human Rights Act, as well the need for Acts or Charters in states and territories which do not yet have them.
We designed this resource to inspire people to use Human Rights Acts and Charters where they exist in Australia; and to join with others in calling for a national Human Rights Act and Charters in every state and territory.
Click here to add your name to the call for a Human Rights Act.
CASE STUDIES
Aboriginal children jailed in adult prison: Human Rights Act in action
Bendigo mosque and freedom of religion: Human Rights Act in action
Will Ingram and the right to equality: Human Rights Act in action
Queensland and the right to housing: Human Rights Act in action
The right to education for children seeking asylum: Human Rights Act in action
Victorian pandemic laws: Victorian Charter of Rights in action
101 Cases
Human Rights Acts and Charters Make Our Lives Better.
Here are 101 cases showing how
Case 12: Single mother secures priority place on housing assistance register
A single mother waiting for public housing was removed from the housing assistance register because her income exceeded the new threshold.
Case 19: Ensuring interpreters in tribunal proceedings for people with limited English
The Commission wrote to the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal after it became aware that people in proceedings who spoke very limited English were not always being provided with free interpreters.
Case 22: Imprisonment for unpaid fines of man with a cognitive disability prevented
Zakaria Taha had an intellectual disability. He was issued with numerous fines for different minor offences including riding a bike without a helmet and taking public transport without a ticket.
Case 23: Mental health treatment orders must be reviewed within a reasonable time
Gary Kracke had a mental illness. He challenged an order requiring him to have mental health treatment.
Case 39: Right to equality and fair hearing for self-represented litigants with learning disabilities
Betty and Maria Matsoukatidou (mother and daughter, respectively) were charged by Yarra Ranges Council for failing to secure and demolish their home after an arson attack.
Case 43: Better justice system responses to victim/survivors of crime who have a disability
For many years, community legal centres, victim/survivor advocates and the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission have called on the Victorian Government, Victoria Police and the Office of Prosecutions to improve
Case 80: Eviction of family prevented using fair hearing and other arguments
The Director of Housing applied to evict a family living in public housing.