Human rights session this week

Talks will continue after last week’s National Human Rights Consultation sessions with the broader gay community set to have a further say about whether Australia adequately protects human rights.
This week the ALSO Foundation and Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby will be holding their own community consultations for submissions to the public inquiry.
The national inquiry is headed by a committee, including Father Frank Brennan, journalist Mary Kostakidis, former police commissioner Mike Palmer and lawyer Tammy Williams.
Australian Coalition for Equality’s Corey Irlam attended the Melbourne sessions, along with other gay, lesbian and transgender rights activists.
-œIt was interesting to have an opportunity to debate the pros and cons of ways to protect human rights, such as constitutional change or an act of Parliament, Irlam said. -œIt’s important the committee spends a decent amount of time understanding gay and lesbian issues. We’ll be looking forward to seeing whether they invite gay and lesbian groups to appear before their hearings in Old Parliament House in June.
On the table for discussion was whether Australia should enact a national charter to protects rights.
Not all agreed with such a charter -” some thought Australians had sufficient protection through international conventions, and concerns were raised at the possibility of a national charter limiting freedom of speech.
-œIt is important that individuals within the community contribute to the consultation, ALSO Foundation CEO Lyn Morgain said .
-œFundamentally we understand that it’s probably not good enough to just hope that people get treated in an equitable and respectful way -” our own experience tells us it’s not the case.
The ALSO Foundation and the VGLRL will make a submission to the inquiry after the community session.
The deadline for written submissions is June 15.

info: ALSO Foundation and VGLRL community discussion session, April 27 6.30pm, Level 3, 380 Lonsdale St, Melbourne. Visit also.org.au.  To make a submission to the inquiry, visit humanrightsconsultation.gov.au.