Commission welcomes the Victorian Ombudsman’s report on its investigation into the detention and treatment of public housing residents arising from a COVID-19 ‘hard lockdown’ in July 2020

23 December 2020

Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissioner Kristen Hilton said the Commission welcomed the release of the Victorian Ombudsman’s report which found that the immediacy of the public housing towers lockdown was contrary to the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act.

The Ombudsman has formed a clear view that the detention of people at 33 Alfred Street in North Melbourne on 4 July 2020 without notice to residents and without sufficient preparation was not compatible with the right to humane treatment when deprived of liberty protected under the Charter, and that proper consideration was not given to human rights when deciding to impose the immediate lockdown.

The investigation report highlights the voices of many of the residents of the towers and outlines the impact of the immediate lockdown on their access to fresh air, food and medical supplies in the days following its implementation.

“The stories contained in the report are a powerful reminder of the importance of public authorities upholding human rights at every stage of the decision-making process to ensure that any restrictions on human rights are necessary and proportionate” said Commissioner Hilton.

The Commission contributed to the Ombudsman’s investigation by seconding a senior officer to assist with the investigation and providing reports gathered from community legal centres and other community groups through an online tool monitoring the human rights situation during the lockdown.

The reception of the Ombudsman’s report highlights some of the limitations of the Charter and the need for reform to create clear, accessible and enforceable remedies under the Charter.

 

Media contact

Peter Davies
Mobile: 0447 526 642
Email: peter.davies@veohrc.vic.gov.au

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