The Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission has launched a new strategy to shape its work and connection with Victoria’s Aboriginal community.
Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissioner Kristen Hilton said the new Aboriginal Community Engagement Strategy 2020–22 would lay the foundation for the Commission’s work with the Aboriginal community, ensure its services were tailored to their needs and that its advocacy supported Aboriginal voices.
“Victoria’s First Nations peoples have played a crucial role in advancing human rights in this state, from criminal justice reform to the nation’s first Treaty process,” Commissioner Hilton said.
“But we know that many Aboriginal Victorians still continue to experience discrimination and human rights violations,” she said.
“There is no doubt these are pressing issues.”
Commissioner Hilton said the Strategy had been developed in consultation with Aboriginal organisations and members of the community.
She said it focused the Commission’s work on three main areas, embed understanding of and respect for cultural rights in the way public authorities engaged with Aboriginal communities; demonstrate commitment to advancing self-determination for Aboriginal people; and ensure the Commission remained accountable to the Victorian Aboriginal community.
“To achieve these objectives, the engagement strategy identifies specific actions for each area,” she said.
“For example, to ensure Aboriginal clients can exercise their rights if they experience discrimination, sexual harassment or vilification, we will provide a fast-track complaints pathway through our dispute-resolution service.”
Commissioner Hilton said the Strategy would also guide the establishment of ‘partnership principles’ to strengthen connections with Aboriginal organisations and ensure voices from the community shaped the Commission’s work.
The Commission’s 31-page Strategy can be accessed at this PS News link.
