Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) (Health, Education, Housing)

The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission is an independent statutory body which works to protect and promote human rights and eliminate discrimination, sexual harassment, vilification, victimisation, and conversion practices to the greatest extent possible. This submission outlines the legislative framework protecting against racism, or race discrimination and racial vilification, under the EO Act and RRTA. Its makes the case for bolstering protections under discrimination law to improve compliance, and in so doing, work towards eliminating discrimination against First Nations people in Victoria. It also outlines Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander human rights under the Charter in the areas of health, education and housing, and makes recommendations for strengthening this framework to comply with international treaty obligations on the rights of Indigenous peoples and on universal economic, social and political rights.