by Dr Penelope Mathew, President and Human Rights Commissioner

This will be a year of significant and welcome change to the human rights landscape in the ACT.

While the ACT has an impressive track record with the passage of significant human rights reforms, there has been one anomaly — historically, people could only raise human rights complaints directly in the ACT Supreme Court and indirectly, by piggybacking off legal proceedings in other courts and tribunals, with the Commission able to apply to intervene in such cases. Clearly, Supreme Court action was out of reach of most Canberrans. So I am pleased that from June this year, Canberrans will be able to raise human rights complaints and concerns directly with the Commission.

Another focus for the Commission this year, and an area of personal interest, is the right to a healthy environment. The amendment to include the right to a healthy environment in the Human Rights Act is slated to be passed this year. Recognising the right to a healthy environment acknowledges the centrality of a healthy environment, of country, in all our lives.