Audio recording of a panel discussion hosted by the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission and the Human Rights Law Centre on 4 June 2015. 

The panel discussed the impact of a recent court case involving a Christian youth camp's refusal to take a booking from a community health organisation running suicide prevention workshops for same sex attracted young people. 

The case, Christian Youth Camps (CYC) v Cobaw Community Health Services [2014] VSCA 75, was described by the President of the Court of Appeal as being of a scale and complexity without precedent in Victorian anti-discrimination law. 

The Court of Appeal confirmed VCAT's finding that CYC breached the Equal Opportunity Act 1995 by discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation. In December 2014, the High Court refused CYC's application for special leave to appeal against the Court of Appeal's decision.

Speakers:

Kate Eastman SC: A specialist in human rights, discrimination and public law, and appeared for the Commission in the CYC v Cobaw proceedings.

The Hon. Justice Debbie Mortimer: Appointed to the Federal Court in July 2013. Previously Senior Counsel at the Victorian Bar, Justice Mortimer was involved in many ground-breaking anti-discrimination cases, including appearing for Cobaw Community Health Services in the CYC v Cobaw proceedings.

Angus McLeay: Consulted and written on human rights, theology and sexuality for Christian media, religious bodies and law reform efforts.

Anna Brown: Director of Advocacy and Strategic Litigation at the Human Rights Law Centre, Co-Convenor of the Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby and works on discrimination law reform.


Striking the balance: Equality and Freedom of religion under the Equal Opportunity Act

Interview with Victorian Equal Opporunity and Human Rights Commissioner Kristen Hilton

Kristen Hilton On Writs And Cures, 774 ABC Melbourne

Graeme Innes AO delivers the 2016 Human Rights Oration, followed by a panel discussion with Maryanne Diamond, Neill Duncan and Juliet Bourke, hosted by Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissioner Kristen Hilton. Closing remarks from Chairperson Moana Weir. 

Wurundjeri Elder Uncle Bill Nicholson provided a Welcome to Country for the event, accompanied by his son Damien Nicholson with a didgeridoo performance.

2016 Human Rights Oration - Panel Discussion

2016 Human Rights Oration - Graeme Innes Keynote

2016 Human Rights Oration - Intro And Welcome To Country

The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission is an independent statutory body with responsibilities under three laws:

1. Equal Opportunity Act 2010
2. Racial and Religious Tolerance Act 2001
3. Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006.

The Commission provides:
- a free telephone Enquiry Line
- a free, fair and timely dispute resolution service
- information and education about equal opportunity, racial and religious vilification and the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities
- education, training and consultancy services.

Visit us at www.humanrightscommission.vic.gov.au.

VEOHRC