A Human Rights Consultation Committee has been appointed by the Victorian Government and will report on its findings by November this year. Law Professor George Williams, Olympic basketball player Andrew Gaze, disability advocate Rhonda Galbally and former Victorian Attorney-General Haddon Storey make up the committee and will consult with the community to devise strategies to protect and promote human rights and responsibilities in Victoria.

Hulls said the Government was committed to accessible justice for all Victorians and “a discussion on the role of human rights in our society is integral to this commitment”.

“The human rights process will strengthen our democratic institutions and address disadvantage by examining what type of improvements could be made to protect and promote human rights in Victoria,” Hulls said.

“Whether Victorians recognise rights through a formal legal document, however, or less prescriptive mechanisms, will depend on whether we find consensus on what rights we cherish and what duties we owe each other.”

Hulls said Australia was the last developed country to tackle human rights in a structured or formal way.