Disability Inclusion Bill exposure draft – October 2022
The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission’s submission to the Victoria government’s exposure draft of the Disability Inclusion Bill details our support for the purposes and objectives of the proposed laws, while making recommendations that would strengthen the operation of the laws to promote disability inclusion in Victoria.
About the review
The review is part of the broader reform agenda set out in Inclusive Victoria: State disability plan 2022–2026.
As part of the review, the Victorian Government sought views on creating a new Disability Inclusion Act (the Act), including the establishment of a Commissioner for Disability Inclusion and the creation of a new positive duty for large organisations within the public service, courts and universities to actively promote disability inclusion (although this is not proposed to give rise to legal rights).
The Act would sit alongside the Disability Act, replacing the current provisions relating to the State Disability Plan and create a new legislative framework for whole-of-government action and accountability in pursuing disability inclusion in Victoria.
The submission
The Commission’s submission supports the purposes and objectives of the proposed Act. It also explains how the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (EOA) could be strengthened to promote the objectives of the Act and enhance cohesion between the EOA and the Act.
A copy of the Commission’s submission can be downloaded below.
What happens next?
Submissions on the exposure draft are now being considered, with the key themes due to be published in early 2023.