Review ofVictoria's Equal
Opportunity Act 1995
STATUS: Completed
campaign.
Submissions were
called for in this Review of Victoria's Equal Opportunity Act. Submissions
closed 12 May 2008.
________________________________
Submissions needed - by 12 May
2008
Yes, another review and they are asking for
submissions...
The Review website says
"Have your say on the options for reform
to the Victorian Equal Opportunity Act 1995. An options paper has
been released for public consultation. The Equal Opportunity Review seeks your
response to the options paper and the questions that it raises about the
future scope of the Equal Opportunity Act 1995; the powers to prevent
discrimination and enforce the law; the resolution of discrimination
complaints; and how the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights
Commission is governed."
A couple of weeks ago we asked you to send submissions to the review of
'exceptions' and 'exemptions' in the Victorian Equal Opportunity Act. That
review was done separately by the Justice Department.
The Justice Department is also conducting this review of the actual
Equal Opportunity Act. Former public advocate Julian Gardner has to complete his
review and hand it to the Victorian government by June 2008.
The Review is in three parts. The first part is completed - we are now
on Stage 2...
1.
Discussion paper consultation - November 2007 - January 2008
- This was the first consultation phase. This consultation phase
ended on 14 January 2008.
2. Progress report -
Options Paper consultation - March 2008 - May 2008. Consultation
during this phase will end on 12 May
2008.
"The
Options Paper produces the findings from consultation and research and sets out
options for reform."
3. Final report submitted
to the Attorney-General - June 2008
Click here
for Review webpage.
Click here
for the Equal Opportunity Act.
Some additional information on the Options paper follows the ACTION
section...
It would certainly make your task of making a submission
EASIER if you have a look at the Options Paper... it is also attached.
The
first 13 pages outline the scope of the Review and summaraise ALL the options
canvassed.
ACTION:
SUBMISSIONS are due by Monday 12
May.
PLEASE write a brief submission/letter addressing
the points below (in the section headed EO Review Options Paper).
Email your
submission by 12 May to equalopportunityreview@justice.vic.gov.au
Basically we would say there are already too many 'attributes' covered by
the law. Most of these are not valid.
The EOHRC does NOT need additional
powers to initiate complaints to enforce the law.
We oppose the extension of
the EO Act to allow the investigation of 'systemic investigation' where a single
individual is not responsible or a complaint has not been made (Ch 2 - P 10).
In relation to "Recognise that sometimes people or groups require
different treatment in order to achieve substantive equality" (P 9) we
contend that all people must be treated the same, otherwise more
discrimination results.
We could go on, but reading the Executive Summary highlights
the scope of the possible changes to the EO Act under this Review.
_________________________________
Equal Opportunity Review Options
Paper
From the Review
website:
"The release of the Equal Opportunity Review Options Paper
marks the start of the second and final round of consultation on the Equal
Opportunity Review. A final report to the Attorney-General will be submitted in
June 2008. This final report will take into consideration submissions received
in response to the discussion paper (released in November 2007) and the options
paper.
The options paper summarises the options being considered by the
Review in relation to the following key
issues:
* is there a need to
change the law?
* a new
framework for recognising and addressing
discrimination
* mechanisms
for the elimination of
discrimination
* dispute
resolution
* the Victorian
Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission governance.
Elsewhere they itemise the parts to be reviewed:
The Review is to
consider:
* parts 1 and 2 'Preliminary' and 'What is prohibited
discrimination?'
* part 7 'Complaints and their Resolution' and related
provisions in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 1998
and regulations
* part 8 'Investigations by the Commission and Tribunal'
* part 9 'Administration' which establishes the institutional structures for
the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission
* part 10
'Offences'
* any related provisions necessary to meet the objectives of the
review.
The options outlined in the options paper are not final recommendations. They
are designed to indicate some options and the possible direction final
recommendations may take. Several issues were raised in the discussion paper but
do not receive further consideration in the options paper although they may be
addressed in the Final Report.
Submissions close on 12 May 2008
The options paper includes details of how to make a submission. You may wish
to focus on one or more options listed in the options paper or respond to the
entire range of issues the paper raises. Submissions on the options paper are
open until 12 May 2008.
Please be aware that submissions are not
confidential and may be viewed by the public unless you request
otherwise.
 The link(s) below will
launch a new browser window.
If these links to the Options Paper do not open they are available on the
Review website. Author: Jenny Stokes | Modified: 9 June 2008 |
