HUME CITY COUNCIL
POLICY
Social Justice Charter and Bill of Rights
Policy Ref. No:
CP2004/3/56
Date Adoption:
9 March 2004
Date Amended:
Date of Review:
March 2007
Responsible Officer:
Social Equity Planner
Department:
Social Development
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INTRODUCTION
1.1
Council adopted a Social Justice Charter on 11 December 2000 which has had a
substantial and observable positive effect in guiding Council’s actions to reduce social
inequity, promote community inclusion and strengthen community wellbeing.
1.2
The revised Social Justice Charter 2004 including the incorporation of an Inaugural
Citizens’ Bill of Rights will stand to enhance those positive effects.
POLICY STATEMENT
Through the Hume Social Justice Charter and Inaugural Citizens’ Bill of Rights, Council will promote an
active citizenry, strengthen community wellbeing and reduce causes of disadvantage.
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POLICY IMPLEMENTATION
3.1
The Hume Social Justice Charter 2004 will be implemented through the development
and implementation of action plans for the target priorities identified in the Charter.
3.2
The general principles of the Charter will, wherever appropriate, be applied as one of
the evaluation tools used to assess Council’s endeavours.
3.3
Council will ensure accountability through the regular publication of reports in relation
to the Charter. As a minimum it will publish a Social Justice Report annually and will
review the Charter every 3 years.
3.4
The Inaugural Citizens’ Bill of Rights is to be used as a platform from which to consult
with the City’s communities and to demonstrate Council’s commitment to its Citizens’
participatory rights.
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RELATED DOCUMENTS
4.1
4.2
Hume Corporate Plan
Social Justice Charter 2004 (attached)
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HUME SOCIAL JUSTICE CHARTER 2004
PREAMBLE
Aim
By this Charter Hume City Council seeks to promote an active citizenry, strengthen
community wellbeing and reduce the causes of disadvantage.
Vision and Core Values
Under this Charter Hume City Council will strive to fulfil its vision for Hume City: a
prosperous, progressive, sustainable and vibrant gateway city, a city distinguished by
the diversity of its community and renowned for social justice and community inclusion.
A City marked by:
 Social Equity.
 Economic Prosperity.
 Environmental Sustainability.
A city in which its citizens, together with those who work within and visit, will experience
the highest quality of life.
A Social Justice Framework
Every citizen of Hume City is free and equal in dignity and in rights (Universal
Declaration of Human Rights). Every citizen is entitled to aspire to that quality of life that
allows them to freely realise their potential. By this Charter, Hume City Council affirms its
respect for, and its commitment to promote, these rights for all of its citizens, and each of
their communities.
Some citizens, however, do not enjoy these rights as they should. They do not enjoy the
true equality of opportunity to which they are entitled. Hume City Council recognises that
to do justice by these citizens, actions need to be taken by the community, Council, and
by other governments. By this Charter, Council affirms its commitment to strive for social
justice and to address the social, cultural, economic and other factors that frustrate the
aspirations of its citizens.
Finally, by this Charter, we remember that our democratic and other human rights were
won and secured by effort and sacrifice, and that their promise will only be fulfilled by our
continued vigilance and effort. Hume City Council pledges that it will honour its
commitment to support its communities' aspirations and their entitlement to human rights
and social justice through action and dialogue. It will strive to respect the legacy of those
who secured our rights, and to amplify and support the aspirations of Hume
City's communities to all that is good in life.
INAUGURAL CITIZENS BILL OF RIGHTS
Hume City Council is charged with the promotion of the peace, order, good
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government and development of Hume City; a responsibility shared as part of a three
tiered system of local, state and federal governments, a responsibility that is only met in
partnership. Within this system the key responsibilities for the recognition and
reinforcement of human rights lie outside of local governments' domain, whilst its spirit
and vigour lie deep within. For that spirit resides in those who participate in the public life
of their community, and that vigour in those who pursue their aspirations. Hume City
Council hereby affirms that spirit and vigour and commits itself to supporting those
participatory rights through this declaration of an Inaugural Citizens' Bill of Rights. This
Bill marks the evolution and deepening of the commitment made in Council's original
Social Justice Charter, and will be subject to further consultations with the City's citizens
to both support and respect their entitlement to shape those key decisions that shape
their lives.
Fundamental Human Rights
Hume City Council hereby affirms that each and every one of its citizens has inalienable
rights recognised under International Law, including those rights set out in the
International Covenants on Civil and Political Rights and on Economic, Social and
Cultural Rights. We acknowledge that the following rights form the bedrock of a fair
society.
 The right to an adequate standard of living, including adequate food, clothing,
housing and medical care.
 The right to full development through learning throughout life, including through
vocational learning.
 The right to work, including conditions of work and remuneration that ensure a
dignified existence.
 The right to participate in the public life of their community.
 The right to participate in the cultural life of their community.
 The right to rest and leisure.
 The right to liberty and security of the person.
 The right to social security.
 The right to enjoy these and other human rights without distinction or discrimination
of any kind.
 The right of everyone belonging to a community to enjoy and practice that
community's culture and to have that culture respected.
We recognise that many citizens do not fully enjoy these basic entitlements, and
that the City's commitment to social justice requires action. In this Charter, we renew the
commitments to action made in the City's original Social Justice Charter and extend our
commitment to take additional actions for the benefit of our Indigenous peoples, those
people who are experiencing poverty, and those women and younger people who do not
enjoy the personal safety to which they are entitled.
Participatory Rights
We acknowledge that the spirit and vigour of our democracy, and of these citizens'
rights, is founded in the participation of Hume City's citizens in the public life of the City.
We believe it is the privilege and responsibility of any local government, as the
government closest to the people, to champion the exercise of those rights. We know
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that their active exercise is the foundation of a true democracy, and the foundation upon
which both the protection and the defence of all citizens' rights rests. For these reasons,
we, as a local government, firmly support Hume City's citizens' participation in the public
life of the City.
The Participatory Rights are:
 The Right to Vote.
 The Right to Political Representation.
 The Right to Participate in Public Life.
 The Right to Information.
 The Right to Accountability.
Hume City Council is already strongly committed to respecting these rights and
supporting their exercise through its Participatory Framework. Council will go
further; it will actively encourage their exercise through the development of a Community
Empowerment Action Plan.
Hume City's Participatory Framework
We will respect, support and promote each and every citizen's right to participate in the
public life of our community.
The Right to Vote
Active Citizens have, and exercise, the right to vote under the Local Government
Act. This right forms the foundation of our democracy and is the basis upon which local
government is the most democratic of all Australian governments, for that right is
available to those who are aged 18 years or older and reside in our City, and is not
dependent upon Australian citizenship.
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Local government is the most inclusive of all Australian governments. Council will
continue to support the active exercise of this right through:
 Promoting awareness of the right to apply to enrol as a voter, particularly
 for those from a non-English speaking background.
 Assisting applicants to successfully enrol.
 Publishing electoral information in the main community languages.
The Right to Political Representation
Active Citizens have the right to stand for election and support the person of their
choice in seeking election. Council will continue to support the active exercise of this
right through:
 Promoting awareness of its citizens’ right to stand for election.
 Ensuring that electoral processes are, so far as practicable, appropriate to the
varying abilities and religious and cultural practices of Hume City's citizens.
The Right to Participation
Active Citizens have the right to influence those decisions that may affect them.
Hume City Council will continue to support the active exercise of this right
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through:
 A commitment to extensive consultation on major policies, plans and projects (such
as the development of the Vision for Hume City in 2030).
 Taking steps to facilitate participation, including through consultation times that are
reasonably convenient to parents and workers, the use of translations/interpreters,
and use of hearing loops.
 Supporting and actively engaging its advisory networks, committees, forums and
taskforces.
 Actively and diligently considering the issues, advice and information communicated
by its citizens.
The Right to Information
Active Citizens have access to the information needed to:
Exercise the other Participation Rights.
 Access the plans, policies and budget of Council.
 Access the services provided by Council.
 Assess Council's actions.
Hume City Council will continue to support the active exercise of this right in a variety of
ways, including:
 Open and accessible Ward and Council meetings
 The timely publication of its meeting agenda and minutes, plans, policies and budget
(the latter in draft form with an opportunity to comment, wherever practicable).
 The regular publication of relevant information through various mediums, including
newsletters and Council's Internet site.
The Right to Accountability
Active Citizens have the right to a regular accounting by those who make decisions that
affect them.
This right does not stand alone, but is intertwined with the other rights, such that their
observance will support it.
Council will further support the active exercise of this right in a variety of ways, including:
 The Annual Report
 Annual Social Justice Report
 Ongoing dialogue with its advisory committees, forums and taskforces.
SOCIAL JUSTICE CONVENANT
Social Justice Principles
Some citizens do not enjoy these rights is they should. Some citizens do not enjoy the
true equality of opportunity to which they are entitled. Hume City Council recognises that
social justice requires additional actions to be taken.
The concept of social justice embodies four principles.
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The first is that every effort should be made to reduce economic and social inequality
which results in some people experiencing severe and ongoing disadvantage through no
fault of their own.
The second is that all people should be guaranteed equal human rights and that the
ability to exercise those rights should not be a factor of one's economic or social
circumstances.
The third is that all people should be enabled to participate fully in society and have
maximum input into decisions that affect their lives.
The fourth is that a just society is ever mindful of the connectedness of past and presentthat past injustices continue to contribute to inequality and disadvantage today, and that
our current actions affect future generations.
Factors Contributing to Disadvantage
The lack or insufficiency of any of the following factors was identified as a key influence
which contributes to citizens of Hume City experiencing disadvantage:
 Respect for difference, including differences relating to race, colour, language,
religion, national or social origin, gender, occupation, sexuality, ability and age.
 Inclusion.
 Income.
 Employment.
 Learning opportunities.
 Recreation opportunities.
 Appropriate housing.
 Transport.
 Health services and supports.
 Information.
 Appropriate use of alcohol, drugs or gambling.
 Personal safety and security.
 Social networks.
COMMITMENT TO ACTION
Guiding Principles
Hume City Council's commitment to action is guided by one fundamental belief: it is what
we do that matters. We affirm our commitment to human rights and to social justice not
only through our stated convictions, but through our actions. We will consistently seek
appropriate actions within the resources and opportunities that are reasonably available
to us. We affirm that we will:
 Act as a representative, advocating on behalf of Hume City's citizens.
 Adopt a proactive role in supporting community initiatives.
 Create incentives that promote social and economic growth, encouraging and
supporting initiatives that are both socially responsive and environmentally
sustainable.
 Strive to strengthen community pride, citizens' commitment to their neighbourhoods
and the connection between citizens and their community.
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Foster development at individual, community and organisational levels to secure a
sustainable and healthy future for citizens, their families and their workplaces within
the City.
Recognise, welcome and build upon diversity within the City, embracing and
celebrating the different strengths, abilities and aspirations that citizens bring to their
communities and the City.
Invest in community building and highlight the collective talents of the City's citizens.
Promote partnership and collaborate and innovate in ways that benefit and
strengthen the community.
Encourage other levels of government to act according to these principles.
Implementation Plan
Hume City Council pledges to "go beyond the words" by developing action
strategies/plans to support this Charter. These action strategies/plans will target specific
areas of social disadvantage, promote active citizenship and strengthen community
wellbeing.
The action strategies/plans designed to implement this Charter will consider the
characteristics of community wellbeing and the key contributing factors which promote
disadvantage, as identified by those who contributed to the original Social Justice
Charter and the Council's Building A Future Together Inquiry into poverty.
Indicators of Community Wellbeing
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A strong sense of belonging and connection to the community in which one lives.
A respect for, and a welcoming and celebration of, people from diverse backgrounds.
A responsiveness to disadvantage and difficulties that arise.
A network of support systems.
The active practice of neighbourliness and hospitality.
A belief by the community in their
A sense of ownership and enjoyment
of public space.
Target Priorities and Action Plans
The following priorities have been identified, taking into account the characteristics of
community wellbeing and the factors contributing to disadvantage, as described above.
Hume City Council will continue to implement the action plans identified in the original
Social Justice Charter, and will develop additional action plans to address the newly
identified factors.
The following action plans will continue to be implemented:
 Employment.
 Learning.
 Housing.
 Transport.
 Cultural and Linguistic Diversity.
 Disabilities.
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Alcohol and Drug Use, and Gambling.
Loneliness.
Council's Health Action Plan complements these action plans in recognising that the
experience of disadvantage is frequently reflected in the quality of health experienced by
disadvantaged communities and citizens. The Health Action Plan aimed to ensure that
priority was given to those communities and citizens. Council will continue to recognise
the links between disadvantage and health.
To support the Bill of Rights and in response to the Council's Building A Future Together
Inquiry into poverty, together with the advice of its advisory committees, additional action
plans will be developed in the following areas:
 Indigenous Peoples.
 Poverty.
 Women and Young People's Safety.
 Community Empowerment.
COMMITMENT TO ACCOUNTABILITY
Evaluating Council’s Actions
The principles contained in this Charter (including the Contributing Factors and
Wellbeing Indicators) highlight the values that Council seeks to embody in all its actions,
projects, services and facilities. These general principles will, wherever appropriate, be
applied as one of the evaluation tools used to assess Council's endeavours.
Reporting
Hume City Council will ensure accountability to its citizens through transparent
processes of governance, including the regular publication of reports in relation to this
Charter. As a minimum, it will publish a Social Justice Report annually.
A Living Charter: an Inaugural Citizens Bill of Rights
Finally, Hume City Council pledges that this shall be a 'living' Charter, a Charter that
evolves in dialogue with Hume City's citizens and in response to their emerging needs.
As such, Council recognises that this Inaugural Citizens' Bill of Rights is adopted as a
platform from which to consult with the City's communities over the next twelve months
in relation to its terms (including whether they need to deal in greater depth with other
matters), and as an immediate demonstration of Council's commitment to its Citizens'
participatory rights.
Furthermore, Council is committed to the ongoing evolution of this Charter. As a
minimum, it will continue to be reviewed every three years.
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