| Short Title: | Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 |
| Legislature: | Parliament of Victoria |
| Long Title: | An Act to protect and promote human rights, to make consequential amendments to certain Acts and for other purposes. |
| Citation: | No. 43 of 2006 |
| Territorial Extent: | Victoria |
| Enacted By: | Legislative Assembly |
| Date Passed: | 15 June 2006 |
| Enacted By2: | Legislative Council |
| Date Passed2: | 20 July 2006 |
| Royal Assent: | 25 July 2006 |
| Date Commenced: | 1 January 2007 |
| Bill: | Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Bill |
| Introduced By: | Rob Hulls |
| 1St Reading: | 2 May 2006 |
| 2Nd Reading: | 13–15 June 2006 |
| 3Rd Reading: | 15 June 2006 |
| Bill2: | Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Bill |
| Introduced By2: | Justin Madden |
| 1St Reading2: | 18 July 2006 |
| 2Nd Reading2: | 20 July 2006 |
| 3Rd Reading2: | 20 July 2006 |
| Related Legislation: | Human Rights Act 2004 (ACT No. A2004-5) |
| Status: | in force amended |
The Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 is an Act of Parliament of the state of Victoria, Australia, designed to protect and promote human rights.
It does so by enumerating a series of human rights, largely developed from those in the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights, along with a number of enforcement provisions. The Act came into full effect on 1 January 2008 and may operate in a similar way to the UK's Human Rights Act 1998 or the Canadian Bill of Rights.[1]
The Act protects twenty one fundamental human rights, including:
Australia is the only democratic country in the world to not have a Bill of Rights (or similar protections).[3] In order to go some way toward addressing this, in 2005 the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) undertook steps to implement the Human Rights Act 2004 to formally protect de facto freedom, respect, equality and dignity in the jurisdiction.[4]
The Victorian Labor Government, in 2005 under the Bracks Ministry, engaged in community consultation for a Human Rights act similar to those implemented in the ACT and the UK's Human Rights Act 1998.[5] Attorney-General of Victoria Rob Hulls argued that a Bill of Rights would "strengthen our democracy and set out our rights in one accessible place."[6] After community consultation, including input from the Australian Human Rights Commission, the act was introduced and debated in Parliament on 2 May 2008. The Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 received royal assent on 25 July 2006 and came into full effect on 1 January 2008.[7]
Some believe that as it originates in Victoria the Act does not provide protections outside of Victorian 'jurisdiction'; any federal legislation takes precedence regardless of the infringement of any rights. However, the constitution does not allow discrimination between the states. There is effectively no 'state-based jurisdiction', only federal. To the extent that the charter aligns with the constitution, it applies in all states. The charter also affords Parliament the power to suspend or infringe rights in exceptional circumstances, such as when facing a serious security threat or a state of emergency.
Courts do not have the authority to strike down impeding legislation, but are able to interpret statutory provisions in a way that is compatible with human rights.