The Charter's Here to Stay... For Now

EMMA HENDERSON
Volume 1, Issue 4 (Originally Published 19 March 2012)
 
The Baillieu’s government’s decision to retain the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities has been welcomed by the legal community.
 
Recommendations of a Liberal/National dominated review body, the Scrutiny of Acts and Regulations Committee (SARC), have been rejected.
 
However, the government has deferred a decision on the operation of the Charter in the courts until it receives legal advice
 
Attorney-General Robert Clark said in light of recent High Court and Court of Appeal cases the government requires further advice
 
Mr Clark said the government would also consider possible inclusion in the Charter of additional rights from the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
 
The Law Institute of Victoria supports the Government’s decision to retain the Charter and said it appeared that the Government had listened to the overwhelming evidence provided to support the benefits of the Charter for all Victorians.
 
LIV President Michael Holcroft said many lawyers breached a “collective sigh of relief” following the announcement last week.
 
Mr Holbrook highlighted that 95 per cent of submissions received by the SARC supported retention of the charter.
 
Public Interest Law Clearing House executive director Fiona McLeay agreed that the Government had made the right decision and had taken community feedback on board.
 
"As a service that provides free legal services to some of the state's most disadvantaged people, we have seen first-hand that the Charter has led to better quality public services and fairer outcomes for our clients," Ms Mc Leaysaid.
 
Emma Hendersen