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 9: Complaint leads to agreement to install escalators for accessibility
When escalators at a train station were replaced by steep, inaccessible stairs, one older resident of the community made a human rights complaint.
Case 10: Family in need of accessible social housing offered support after long delay
After an Aboriginal woman with a disability, and her three children, were forced to vacate their social housing, the woman lodged a complaint regarding the length of time taken to arrange modifications to ensure she could shower and access the kitchen safely.
Case 13: Supreme Court sets aside directions limiting the times a daughter can visit her mother
Mariem Omari, a mother with a cognitive disability was under a guardianship order. Her sons were her guardians.
Case 28: Victorian Government promotes a more inclusive approach to working with and referring to LGBTIQ people
The Victorian Government developed and published an ‘LGBTIQ inclusive language guide’ for the Victorian Public Service explaining how to use language respectfully and inclusively when working with, and referring to, LGBTIQ people.
Case 36: Coercive questioning by police breaches freedom of movement and right to privacy
Mr Kaba, a black man, was a passenger in a vehicle that was subject to a random stop and search by the police.
Case 47: Protecting a person’s right to privacy in residential care
A staff member from the Victorian Government observed that a person living in a residential service was not afforded privacy when assisted by their carers to shower.
Case 52: Protecting a single mother of three from homelessness
The Ministry of Housing tried to evict a single mother from public housing after it was found that her boyfriend was growing marijuana on the premises.
Case 56: Improving security and privacy at the home of a man with disabilities
A man with cerebral palsy and vision impairment was very concerned about security in the housing commission premises where he lived.
Case 65: Man with a disability allowed to privately access to his own mail
A man with a physical disability living in a shared supported accommodation unit objected to his mail being opened by the workers at the unit.
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.
Case 87: Preventing a young man’s eviction into homelessness
Abdi Mohamed, a 21 year-old man living in accommodation provided by a transitional housing provider was given a 120 day notice to vacate in accordance with the provider’s ‘youth tenancy policy’.