Asides

BOASTFUL: Rob Hulls claims responsibility for national human rights laws

Victoria’s Attorney-General Rob Hulls has claimed responsibility for the expansion of his human rights charter into the federal sphere.

So pleased was he with the release of Brennan’s report into National Human Rights that his office issued a self-congratulatory media release to all scribes. They even sent  it to VEXNEWS, perhaps stung by our previous biting criticism on the issue.

Media release
From the Acting Premier and Attorney-General
Thursday, 8 October, 2009

VICTORIA’S CHARTER ENDORSED BY NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT

A  recommendation  to  enact  national  human rights legislation similar to Victoria’s  Charter  of Human Rights and Responsibilities has been welcomed by Acting Premier and Attorney-General Rob Hulls.
Mr  Hulls  said  the National Human Rights Consultation Committee’s report, released  in  Melbourne  today,  was a resounding endorsement of Victoria’s approach and a testament to the success of the Charter. [VEXNEWS: Not necessarily, really just proof that latte sipping doesn't stop at the Murray]
“Australians  have  voiced  their  support  loud and clear for human rights protections currently afforded to Victorians,” Mr Hulls said. [VEXNEWS: Evidence for that proposition? Zip]
“As  the  first  state to enact full legal protection, we can be proud that Victoria  has  been  the  front-runner  in  this area and proud of what the Charter has achieved in a short space of time.”

“I hope we have been an inspiration to pave the way for a Federal Charter.” Rob Hulls, human rights charter urger

“By  embedding  human rights within our legislation, I hope we have been an inspiration to pave the way for a Federal Charter.” [VEXNEWS: Fresh from JB's meet and greet with HRH Our Sovereign Lady The Queen, Mr Hulls has adopted use of the royal pronoun. Proof perhaps that the only Republicans left in the ALP are the few zealous patriot Reagan supporters.]
Mr  Hulls  commended the Federal Government’s attention to the human rights agenda and encouraged it to adopt the report’s recommendations.
“I would like to congratulate the Committee on the breadth and depth of its community consultation and the production of such a significant report,” Mr Hulls said.
“I  also  welcome  and  recognise  the significant advancements made by the Federal Government to raise the human rights agenda at a national level.”
“The  Brumby  Labor Government is committed to human rights and we strongly encourage the  Federal  Government to  adopt the recommendations in this report.”
Mr  Hulls  said  Victoria’s  Charter  had  been redressing disadvantage and improving  the  lives of ordinary Victorians since it was introduced nearly two years ago. [VEXNEWS: Oh really, do tell.]
“Not only is the human rights dialogue permeating all levels of Government, there  has  been  a  change  in  culture  so  that when laws are developed, decisions  made  or services delivered, they are done with the human rights and responsibilities of every Victorian in mind,” he said. [VEXNEWS: This happened so invisibly, imperceptibly that we suspect no-one other than Rob knew. Now we all do.]
“There are practical examples of the Charter making a difference, including young  people with acquired brain injuries being allowed to remain in their chosen  accommodation, a pregnant single mother with two children not being evicted  from  public  housing  and  an  involuntary  mental health patient gaining access to medical treatment for a liver condition.” [VEXNEWS: With the greatest of respek to the Attorney-General, is he suggesting that his government would have permitted these things pre-Charter? Surely we have the right not to be presumed stupid by the state's chief law officer.]
Mr  Hulls  said  the  Committee’s report vindicated Victoria’s lead on this issue.
“The State Opposition want to abolish the Charter – what does this mean for the  large number of Australians who support the existence of human rights legislation,” he said. [VEXNEWS: We look forward to a vote on our new national "Bill of Rights" or charter or whatever. When it polls lower than the referendum vote or in fact lower than a snake's belly will Rob Hulls comprehend that his human rights charters are not quite as popular as he might imagine?]

Media contact: Meaghan Shaw

Extremely amusing is that there are competing leftards keen to take credit for spreading the good news from Hullstopia across the nation.

Richard Ackland, of the Sydney Morning Herald, is excited too and feels he personally played no small role in events:

Last week in this space your columnist went for the line that Frank Brennan and his cohorts on the National Human Rights Consultation would squib the opportunity to come up with a ‘’dialogue’’ version of a human rights bill…

There are grounds to suspect that after reading last week’s column the committee felt so ashamed they quickly rewrote the report to give everyone a ‘’fair go’’.

The Club Fed Libs have just had some very dark days, is this the dawn?

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