Submission to the Scrutiny of Acts and Regulations Committee regarding the Corrections Amendment Bill 2026
In July 2026, the Commission made a submission to assist the Scrutiny of Acts and Regulations Committee’s consideration of the Corrections Amendment Bill 2026 (Vic).
About the submission
The submission highlights the Commission’s concerns that the Bill’s proposed amendments will seriously impact the human rights of people in custody in Victoria under the Charter of Rights and Responsibilities 2006 (Vic) (Charter), including their right to humane treatment and their right to protection from cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.
The reforms will mean that a person in custody’s right to be in the open air for at least an hour a day can be limited by operational considerations rather than the weather alone.
The right to at least one hour of suitable exercise in the open air daily if the weather permits is an internationally recognised human right.
The reforms are likely to have a significant detrimental impact on the health and well-being of people in custody, including a disproportionate impact on First Peoples, and people in long-term and solitary confinement.
Further, the submission outlines the Commission’s concerns regarding the Bill’s proposed override of the Charter. An override declaration should only be used in exceptional circumstances and for as limited a time as possible.