Disability Royal Commission urged to recommend a Charter of Human Rights

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A joint submission by Children and Young people with Disability Australia, the Human Rights Law Centre and People With Disability Australia (PWDA) has outlined the importance of an Australian Charter of Human Rights for people with a disability and the need for human rights to be at the heart of government laws, policies and services. 

The research shows how Charters in Victoria, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory have benefited the lives of people with a disability, including by: 

• Maintaining education for a Victorian child with a disability.  

• Providing housing for a Queensland Aboriginal woman with a disability, and her three children.  

• Ensuring travel insurance services for a Victorian person with a disability.  

Sebastian Zagarella, PWDA CEO said:

“An Australian Charter of Human Rights provides certainty to people with disability, by clearly articulating the rights of people with disability, and provides a key accountability measure to enforce the human rights of people with disability. A charter is a powerful tool in shifting the attitudinal barriers that people with disability face in asserting their rights, so people with disability can participate equally in all aspects of Australian life.” 

Skye Kakoschke-Moore, CEO, Children and Young People with Disability Australia said: 

 “A Human Rights Charter will place the rights of people with disability at the heart of policies and services in Australia and will also encourage better design and interpretation of laws at a national level. For children and young people with disability, a Human Rights Charter would provide an additional layer of safeguarding against unfair treatment in schools, workplaces and the broader community and can support them to advocate for and uphold their human rights.”

Caitlin Reiger, CEO, Human Rights Law Centre said: 

“Every person should be able to receive the quality support services they need, have a secure place to call home, and receive a good and accessible education. But that isn’t always the case. Whilst people in Victoria, Queensland and the ACT can take action when their rights are violated there is a gap at the federal level. We urge the Disability Royal Commission to recommend an Australian Charter of Human Rights as a national priority so that people with a disability Australia-wide can benefit too.”

Read Charters of Human Rights Benefit People with a Disability here.