Extracts from Bush Talks

Starting in 1998 the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission has undertaken a series of meetings in rural and provincial Australia. The series is ongoing. In his Introduction, Human Rights Commissioner Chris Sidoti says:

"In almost every aspect of our work, the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission has noticed that people in rural and remote Australia generally come off second best. Distance, isolation, lower incomes and minority status all exacerbate the experience of discrimination, harassment, and lack of services and participation.

In Bush Talks we have focused on rural and remote areas, inviting country people to raise all of their concerns related to human rights."

The Bush Talks , a large file, can be downloaded from the Commission’s website at http://www.hreoc.gov.au/human_rights/rural_australians/bushtalks/index.html. These extracts have been reproduced to make access to the key proposals and initiatives and recommendations a little faster.

Introducing Bush Talks

In almost every aspect of our work, the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission has noticed that people in rural and remote Australia generally come off second best. Distance, isolation, lower incomes and minority status all exacerbate the experience of discrimination, harassment, and lack of services and participation.

In Bush Talks we have focused on rural and remote areas, inviting country people to raise all of their concerns related to human rights. The aims of Bush Talks have been

1. to identify the major human rights issues confronting people living beyond the main population centres
2. to inform rural and remote area Australians, and their representative organizations, about human rights
3. to develop projects to enhance the enjoyment of human rights in regional, rural and remote Australia for HREOC action in 1999 and 2000.

Bush Talks has visited every State and the Northern Territory and has also held consultations in some capital cities. We have conducted public and private, general and specific issue meetings. By the end of 1998 we had travelled to 26 communities in country Australia and many more will be reached in 1999 when Bush Talks visits to north-west NSW, central Queensland, Top End NT and the Kimberley and Pilbara regions of WA are planned.

Our most successful meetings have been those organised for us by local hosts, to all of whom we extend our sincere gratitude. Local governments, in particular, have been important sponsors of Bush Talks.

In addition to meetings, to date we have received 94 telephone comments or enquiries and 53 written submissions from across the country.

This paper summarises the major issues raised with us in the first half of this consultation program. For more detail, readers will find notes of public Bush Talks meetings on the Commission’s website.

The Commission’s first responses to what we have heard – projects to begin in 1999 - are outlined at the conclusion of each section.

- Chris Sidoti
Human Rights Commissioner and Acting Disability Discrimination Commissioner

PROVIDING BASIC HEALTH SERVICES

The States Parties to the present Covenant recognize the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health. [International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights article 12]

Inadequate, inaccessible and diminishing health services emerged as the principal concern of participants in Bush Talks meetings and in submissions. Yet there is a greater need in rural and remote areas.

Commission project

The Commission’s project work on rural health will be determined in consultation with experts in rural and remote area health. It will focus on innovative community initiatives to respond to country health needs. It will aim

1. 1. to locate the delivery of health services within a human rights framework
2. 2. to identify successful rural and remote community initiatives and the factors contributing to their success
3. 3. to publicise the initiatives so that others are informed and inspired.

Key areas of need are remote health services; young people, substance abuse and emotional well-being; aged care; flexible but adequate services in country towns; mental health services.

Two models are under consideration: (1) a seminar series and booklet and (2) a television series and complementary training kit, including a booklet. The choice of models is dependent upon funding and sponsorship.

ENSURING FAIR ACCESS TO EDUCATION

Everyone has the right to education. [Universal Declaration of Human Rights article 26]

Commission project

In 1999 the Commission will conduct a national inquiry into school education in rural and remote Australia. The inquiry will cover:

• the availability and accessibility of both primary and secondary schooling
• the quality of educational services, including technological support services and
• whether the education available to children with disabilities, Indigenous children and children from diverse cultural, religious and linguistic backgrounds complies with their human rights.

Examples of topics for evidence, submissions and comments are

• costs for families
• social security
• funding models
• teacher incentives
• cultural appropriateness.

There will be some public hearings and discussion groups. Written comments, submissions and community, family or individual experiences can be provided to the inquiry. The closing date is 30 September 1999.

MEETING OTHER ESSENTIAL NEEDS

Everyone, as a member of society, … is entitled to realization … of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality. [Universal Declaration of Human Rights article 22]

Commission projects

The States Parties … recognize the right of everyone … to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress and its applications. [International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights article 15]

1. In 1999 the Race Discrimination Commissioner, Zita Antonios, will follow up the Commission’s report on the supply of water to Indigenous communities by reviewing particular aspects of the arrangements for supply.
2. A major aspect of the Commission’s National Inquiry into Education in Rural and Remote Australia will be the quality of telecommunications support to rural and remote schools and for distance education including for Internet access, video conferencing and teacher in-service training.

VALUING CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

Special measures of protection and assistance should be taken on behalf of all children and young persons without any discrimination for reasons of parentage or other conditions. [International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights article 10]

States Parties undertake to ensure the child such protection and care as is necessary for his or her well-being … [Convention on the Rights of the Child article 3]

Commission projects

In all actions concerning children … the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration. [Convention on the Rights of the Child article 3]

1. All government activity which affects children, including local government spending decisions, the actions of police officers, hospital closures and development approvals, must take the best interests of children into account. The Commission will publish a Guide on taking children’s best interests into account for the information of all sectors of government and of private social welfare institutions which are also covered.
2. The Commission continues to evaluate and comment upon State and Territory juvenile justice systems. In the 1997 report Seen and heard: priority for children in the legal process the Commission, jointly with the Australian Law Reform Commission, recommended the development of national standards for juvenile justice. The report detailed many of the provisions which should be included and the Commission is committed to pursuing the further development and implementation of national standards. The report also found that mandatory imprisonment for juvenile offenders in WA and the NT violates their human rights.
3. The Commission will co-ordinate a National Program on the Human Rights of Young Gays and Lesbians in Rural Australia. The program will be undertaken in partnership with a wide range of community organisations. It will aim to raise awareness of the serious problems faced by these young people and to develop medium and long-term strategies to overcome them. The program will establish a national network of young rural gays and lesbians and relevant organisations to facilitate advocacy, mutual support, exchange of information and collaboration through joint projects. The program is funded, in part, by the Australian Youth Foundation.

BUILDING COMMUNITIES

… recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world. [Universal Declaration of Human Rights preamble]

Commission projects

1. In 1999 the Commission will seek to establish effective benchmarks for disability access to regional airlines to increase equity of access for people with disabilities. This inquiry will consider broadly the issues of access by people with disabilities to regional air services including the hardships caused when access is impossible and the costs which provision of access would impose on the airlines.
2. In 1998 the then Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Mick Dodson, launched the Tracking Your Rights resource package. The package will be used in an Indigenous community education program on rights, anti-discrimination laws, remedies and alternative dispute resolution options.