V/Line Education Review
Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission
Who funded the project
The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (‘the Commission’) was requested by V/Line Corporation to conduct a review of the compatibility of its training materials with human rights set out in the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities 2006 (VIC) (the Charter).
The purpose of the review was to examine how V/Line customer and front-line operational staff are trained to respect, protect and promote the human rights of First Nations commuters, focussing on 3 rights in particular:
Aboriginal Cultural Rights (s. 19(2) of the Charter
The Right to Equality (s. 8 of the Charter)
The Right to Freedom of Movement (s. 12 of the Charter).
Karabena Consulting was engaged to support the review by:
Providing input to consultation guidance documents
Conducting focus groups with First Nations people and organisations, and
Reviewing and providing input into findings and recommendations of the draft report compiled by the Commission.
Karabena conducted culturally safe focus groups with the Victorian Department of Transport’s Aboriginal Self Determination Review Board and First Nations staff at VLine, providing a summary of outcomes to the Commission to inform their report.
Summary
The Commission are grateful to have engaged Karabena on a significant, deeply sensitive consultancy aiming to improve and protect the human rights of First Nations peoples across Victoria.
Their advice prioritised First Nations peoples wellbeing, and right to self-determination, lending critical expertise on practical implementation of solutions to protect and promote the human rights of First Nations peoples. This advice amplifies First Nations peoples voice and expertise to facilitate meaningful and sustainable change. We extend our sincere thanks to Karabena.
Kylie Smith, Manager of Education, Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission.