Annual Report 2004 â 2005 - pilch

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Elise Crowe – Administrative Assistant, Homeless Persons’ Legal Clinic 17 PROJECTS POLICY AND ADVOCACY During 2004-2005, the HPLC continued to undertake research and conduct public policy advocacy promoting the legal and human rights of homeless people. Law reform submissions made to state and federal governments and bodies included: • A submission to the Victorian Parliamentary Law Reform Committee in relation to making the infringement notice enforcement system fairer for people experiencing financial or social disadvantage • A submission to the Victorian Government about improving the administration of justice for homeless people in the court process • A submission to the Victorian Department of Human Services regarding homelessness, human rights and public health • A submission to the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission regarding the extent, impact and effect of discrimination in employment on the ground of criminal record • A submission to the ACCC and ASIC about debt collection practices in relation to people living in poverty • A submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters in relation to the enfranchisement of homeless voters • A submission to the Senate Select Committee on Mental Health about homelessness and the links between the promotion of human rights and good mental health • A submission to the Victorian Department of Infrastructure about public transport and the rights of people experiencing financial or social disadvantage • A major research report about the nature, extent and causes of begging and public and social policy responses to begging • An urgent communication to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Adequate Housing about Australia’s non-compliance with its obligations in relation to the right to adequate housing Lawyers from Allens Arthur Robinson, Baker & McKenzie, Blake Dawson Waldron, Clayton Utz, Mallesons Stephen Jaques, Minter Ellison and Phillips Fox undertook significant research and drafting for many of these projects. During 2004-2005, the Victorian Government introduced a number of important initiatives and amendments based on the HPLC’s advocacy, including the enactment of the Electoral (Amendment) Act 2004 (Vic) which specifically provides for the enfranchisement of homeless voters at state elections, and the development of the Equal Opportunity (Amendment) Bill which, if enacted, will prohibit discrimination on the ground of being homeless, unemployed or a social security recipient. Commenting on the HPLC’s law reform work during the year, the Victorian Attorney- General, the Hon Rob Hulls MP, wrote: ‘PILCH has provided a significant contribution to our understanding of the experience of homeless people within the justice system. I would like to thank PILCH for producing such an insightful and comprehensive Report and for its continuing contribution towards a co-operative, flexible and compassionate legal system.’ Homeless Persons' Legal Clinic Areas of Law Immigration Discrimination Bankruptcy Health (including Mental Health) Consumer / Trade Practices Administrative Commercial / Tax Police Motor Vehicle accident Insurance Employment / Industrial Wills / Probate Superannuation Guardianship / Administrative Social Security Other Victims of Crimes Personal Injury / Negligence Housing / Tenancy Privacy 0.5% Family Criminal Debt PERIN Fines 0.7% 0.7% 0.7% 1.4% 1.4% 1.4% 1.6% 1.9% 1.9% 1.9% 1.9% 2.1% 2.1% 2.6% 3.0% 3.9% 4.6% 4.6% 5.1% 5.3% 8.8% During 2004-2005, the HPLC was also represented on a number of reference and advisory groups, including: • Victorian Government Charter of Rights Reference Group • Victorian Government Working Group on Disadvantage • Victorian Government Infringements Framework Reference Group • AEC/VEC Homeless Voting Task Force • Housing is a Human Right Reference Group • Housing Rights Tribunal Steering Committee • Public Transport Enforcement Forum • StreetSmart Australia Advisory Group • Anglicare Victoria Research Ethics Committee • Homelessness Advocacy Service Reference Group • Human Rights Legal Centre Reference Group TRAINING The HPLC provides significant community legal education to pro bono and community lawyers, homelessness workers and people experiencing homelessness. In 2004-2005, in addition to providing a comprehensive 20 hour induction program for HPLC lawyers, the HPLC provided bi-monthly training sessions and a number of halfday workshops for community lawyers, homelessness workers and consumers. Training was delivered on topics including communication skills, empathetic lawyering, mental health and human rights. Each session was attended by up to 100 people. 10.9% 31.1%
In conjunction with the Council to Homeless Persons, the Homeless People’s Association and the Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions, the HPLC continued to provide training to homelessness workers in regional areas about the use of human rights in homelessness casework, service delivery and advocacy. During late 2004, the HPLC, together with Consumer Law Centre Victoria and Consumer Credit Legal Service, also conducted a series of eight half-day workshops throughout regional and rural Victoria about advocating for financially and socially disadvantaged people in relation to credit and debt. The HPLC continued to present guest lectures to law students at the University of Melbourne and La Trobe University. EVENTS A number of major events were convened by the HPLC in 2004-2005, including: • A fundraising film night with the support of Baker & McKenzie and Clayton Utz • A fundraising bike ride organised by Deacons secondee and former world champion cyclist Anna Wilson • A forum on homelessness, human rights and social inclusion in conjunction with the Council to Homeless Persons • A community education forum about discrimination on the ground of criminal record in association with Fitzroy Legal Service, JobWatch Inc and the Victorian Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders • A launch of the Homeless Persons’ Court Project Report with the Council to Homeless Persons • A workshop regarding human rights in Victoria with Council to Homeless Persons, the Federation of Community Legal Centres, the Victorian Council of Social Service and the Financial and Consumer Rights Council • A seminar on human rights lawyering together with Liberty Victoria • A forum regarding public and social policy responses to begging with Hanover Welfare Services, Urban Seed and Melbourne Citymission • The inaugural National Homeless Persons’ Legal Clinics meeting PROMOTION AND PUBLICATIONS In 2004-2005, the HPLC published seven editions of its bi-monthly newsletter, Street Rights. Each edition of Street Rights contains information about a legal issue relevant to homeless people, promotes opportunities for engagement and participation in public policy advocacy and law reform, and profiles a community organisation or homelessness service provider. Further major HPLC publications over the year included: • A symposium on homelessness and human rights published in the December 2004 edition of the Australian Journal of Human Rights • In conjunction with the Council to Homeless Persons, a special edition of Parity on the topic of ‘Homelessness, Social Exclusion and Social Inclusion’ • A Voting Information and Enrolment Kit for people experiencing homelessness • A set of 12 fact sheets regarding the realisation of human rights for people experiencing homelessness. Each fact sheet contains targeted recommendations regarding legislative and policy reforms necessary to ensure the full implementation of human rights for homeless people in Victoria and Australia. Throughout 2004-2005, the HPLC also published numerous articles regarding homelessness, human rights and the law in publications as diverse as The Age, Herald- Sun, Alternative Law Journal and Deakin Law Review. Radio interviews were conducted on Radio National, 3LO, 3AW, Triple J, RRR and 3CR and a television interview on Channel 9. AWARDS In December 2004, the HPLC received a ‘High Commendation’ from the Human Rights & Equal Opportunity Commission for its ‘proven track record in the promotion and advancement of human rights in Australia’. The panel judges commented that, since 2001, the HPLC has ‘significantly enhanced the promotion and protection of the human rights of homeless people by providing free legal assistance and advocacy.’ COMMUNITY CONTACTS The HPLC is committed to ensuring a high level of consumer participation and empowerment and works closely with the Homeless People’s Association, the Council to Homeless Persons and other consumer groups. In line with this commitment, the HPLC has employed three part-time consumer advocates – people with prior experience of homelessness – to assist the HPLC to undertake significant research and develop a detailed submission regarding homelessness and human rights for the Victorian Government’s Charter of Human Rights project. The HPLC is also committed to improving, evaluating and expanding its service. In this respect, the HPLC held a strategic review involving diverse stakeholders including consumers, lawyers and service providers and also attended workshops in Adelaide and Perth to assist with the development of specialist homeless persons’ legal services in those jurisdictions. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The HPLC thanks volunteer lawyers, participating law firms and host agencies for their continued support and efforts to ensure that the legal and human rights of homeless people are promoted and respected. Alice O’Connell – PILCH Publications Assistant 18
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Annual Report 2004 â 2005 - pilch

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Annual Report 2004 â 2005 - pilch