The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission has seconded a senior officer to assist the investigation, given its expertise and the significant human rights implications of the lockdown. The Ombudsman has found the timing of the lockdown of North Melbourne and Flemington public housing towers on 4 July this year was not based on direct health advice and violated Victorian human rights laws. Media contact Jayne Dullard 0405 229 682 jayne.dullard@ombudsman.vic.gov.au. Ombudsman Deborah Glass has received nearly 150 complaints and submissions about the treatment of public housing residents at 33 Alfred Street, North Melbourne during last month’s ‘hard’ lockdown. The Ombudsman's report of the Investigation into the detention and treatment of public housing residents arising from a COVID-19 'hard lockdown' in July 2020 was tabled in the Victorian Parliament today. Ms Glass said many people had told her investigation of the ongoing distress and concern they feel, due to the lockdown’s severity and a lack of communication at the outset. Use our online form to create and submit your complaint. We operate a free telephone advice service, Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm (excluding public holidays). More than 3,000 residents were immediately detained in public housing towers for 5 days, and 472 residents were detained in 33 Alfred Street, North Melbourne for 14 days. Ms Glass said her office would continue to accept submissions from anyone affected until Friday 28 August 2020. Abigail was ordered to pay $20,000 for damage to her public housing. The Ombudsman can make an independent recommendation to the Director of Housing. We take complaints about the decisions and actions of Housing Victoria. We deal with complaints about Victorian public organisations.
The hard lockdown forced upon thousands of Melbourne tower residents during the state's second virus wave breached human rights, the Ombudsman has found.
We promote fairness, integrity and respect for human rights. We encourage you to complain to Housing Victoria first. In most cases, we are not able to change a Housing Victoria decision about: However, you can still contact us for advice on these matters. A summary of the report is available in the following … “We are hearing very strong concerns about the lack of access people had to information, as well as to fresh air, exercise and medical supplies,” Ms Glass said. 16 December 2020. Ms Glass said her investigation was focusing on the Alfred Street housing tower, which was placed in a form of lockdown for 14 days, looking at: To date, her investigation has received 89 complaints and 55 submissions from individuals and organisations, including via online discussions with affected residents, volunteers and community advocates. You can contact us for help resolving a complaint about: We look at whether the organisation acted in a way that was lawful, reasonable and fair. They waived the $20,000 debt. These sub-menus are also available on the landing pages for the links. As a public housing tenant, ... Their team can provide expert legal advice about your public tenancy and help you at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (which handles disputes between public housing tenants and the Department of Health and Human Services). Update on Ombudsman's investigation into public housing lockdown, Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006, Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission, Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, how the lockdown was managed in the days and weeks that followed - through a human rights framework guided by the, calling 9613 6222 (between 10am-4pm Monday-Friday), contacting us via an interpreter on 131 450 (between 10am-4pm Monday-Friday). DHHS assumed she had caused the damage. (03) 9613 6222 1800 806 314 (regional only). Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission has seconded a senior officer to assist the investigation, given its expertise and … These sub-menus are also available on the landing pages for the links. Understanding your rights as a tenant, as well as responsibilities that you have and the Department has; Advice about applications for housing… We acknowledge their sovereignty was never ceded. Update on Ombudsman's investigation into public housing lockdown | Victorian Ombudsman . Maintenance 101. Find out how we can help. Ms Glass thanked people and organisations who were assisting public housing residents in making submissions. Tenant Support. The Victorian Ombudsman will investigate the treatment of public housing residents at 33 Alfred Street in North Melbourne, who have been in lockdown for nearly a fortnight. Her report has been tabled in Parliament today. The Victorian Government acknowledges the report from the Ombudsman, and thanks the residents and community members in the North Melbourne and Flemington public housing estates for sharing their experiences as part of this process. public housing issues disputes with neighbours (including disputes between community housing tenants) unless there is evidence of systemic failings in the registered agency’s complaint system allegations of antisocial or criminal behaviour by tenants which are matters for Victoria Police. Ombudsman staff are also meeting weekly with DHHS senior officials and continue to receive information about ongoing infection control and other preventive health measures across the inner-Melbourne public housing estates. “Even with Melbourne in Stage 4 lockdown, generally most people still have access to essential supplies, fresh air and exercise. I want free adviceIt's an emergency. free, confidential advice for tenants. Tags: System failures Department of Families, Fairness and Housing Today the Victorian Ombudsman, Deborah Glass, tabled the report of her Investigation into the Detention and Treatment of Public Housing Residents Arising From a COVID-19 ‘Hard Lockdown’ in July 2020, in the Victorian Parliament.. Housing Victoria provides eligible people with public housing and loans to assist with residential bonds. Residents of 33 Alfred Street in North Melbourne have been in lockdown for nearly a fortnight, guarded by a large police presence and reports of food going undelivered. We also look at whether they breached human rights or did not consider them properly. Photo by Chris McLay via Unsplash. Ombudsman Deborah Glass has received nearly 150 complaints and submissions about the treatment of residents at 33 Alfred Street, North Melbourne, and other public housing towers during last month’s ‘hard’ lockdown. We can look into the decisions and actions of more than 1,000 organisations, including councils, government departments, WorkSafe, VicRoads, Fines Victoria, prisons and more. The department accepted all 18 of the Ombudsman's recommendations for improvement. Moving focus to some main menu links will display sub-menus. Lockdown of Melbourne public housing towers violated human rights, Victoria Ombudsman finds. Ms Glass' report, tabled in Victoria's Parliament yesterday, found the temporary lockdown, which was lifted at eight of the nine towers within five days, was warranted. The report includes a number of significant findings and recommendations. You might want to start a complaint if you believe there was some kind of issue with the fine, such as: If it was wrongly issued (like if you were not in Victoria at the time of the fine) 2 www.ombudsman.vic.gov.au Foreword 4 Glossary 6 Timeline of key events – 1 to 18 July 2020 10 Executive summary 12 Introduction 22 Why we investigated 22 Jurisdiction23 Terms of reference 25 Methodology25 Melbourne’s public housing towers 31 33 Alfred Street 33 COVID-19 state of emergency 38 COVID-19 pandemic 38 Public health emergencies 38 The Ombudsman. With the Ombudsman you can make a complaint about fines from Victorian public organisations – like speeding fines, littering fines and parking fines. However, she found a temporary lockdown to contain the growing coronavirus outbreak was warranted. It’s free to call our advice line between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday (except on public holidays). We take complaints about public housing in Victoria. The treatment of Melbourne public housing residents locked up in their homes by the government due to coronavirus is being investigated by Victoria's Ombudsman. This respect is extended to their Elders past, present and emerging. In July 2020, the Victorian Ombudsman announced an investigation into the detention and treatment of public housing residents at 33 Alfred St North Melbourne who were subject to Detention Directions due to significant COVID-19 infection at the estate. Public housing residents are pushing for an ombudsman of their own, saying their concerns around maintenance, security and drugs are falling through the cracks. The Victorian Ombudsman has started investigating the treatment of residents at the North Melbourne public housing tower that has been in lockdown for almost a fortnight. During this period, the Ombudsman received more than 85 complaints from residents, community advocates and concerned Victorians relating to the treatment of people at 33 Alfred Street and the other public housing towers subject to the initial lockdown, highlighting concerns about how the public health intervention was announced and implemented at the … It is part of the Department of Health and Human Services. This investigation found disadvantaged Victorians were being charged thousands of dollars for the repair of damaged public housing, even when there was no evidence they had caused the damage. Moving focus to some main menu links will display sub-menus. We acknowledge their sovereignty was never ceded. Find out more about making a complaint about public housing [VO website]. Ombudsman staff are also meeting weekly with DHHS senior officials and continue to receive information about ongoing infection control and other preventive health measures across the inner-Melbourne public housing estates. Victorian Ombudsman launches public housing towers lockdown investigation The Victorian Ombudsman has launched an investigation into the State Government’s hard lockdown of nine public housing towers. Premier Daniel Andrews announced the abrupt lockdown after health officials identified at least 23 new cases in more than 12 households in nine public housing estates. Her investigation is accepting submissions in any language, and can arrange interpreters where needed. The Victorian Government announced the hard lockdown of public housing towers in Flemington and North Melbourne on 4 July 2020. Public housing maintenance – your questions answered. You can contact the Victorian Ombudsman [VO website] on 03 9613 6222 or 1800 806 314 (freecall) for country residents. The investigation, led by Ombudsman Deborah Glass into the treatment of public housing residents in North Melbourne and Flemington, found the immediacy of the lockdown on July 4 was not based on direct health advice and breached human rights. (03) 9613 6222 1800 806 314 (regional only). If youâre not happy with its response and the issue continues to affect you, we may be able to help. The department accepted all 18 of the Ombudsman's recommendations for improvement. “It is important that we document and understand what happened and learn lessons from what occurred, so that in the future the human rights of public housing tenants are recognised as much as everyone else’s.”. The Victorian Ombudsman pays respect to First Nation custodians of Country throughout Victoria. This investigation found disadvantaged Victorians were being charged thousands of dollars for the repair of damaged public housing, even when there was no evidence they had caused the damage. Ms Glass is not available for further comment at this time, as the investigation is ongoing. Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, an application for priority housing or to transfer to alternate public housing. We asked DHHS to consider the special circumstances. This respect is extended to their Elders past, present and emerging. Victorian Ombudsman Government Administration Melbourne, Victoria 2,711 followers We hold the Victorian public sector accountable to the people of Victoria. The Victorian Ombudsman pays respect to First Nation custodians of Country throughout Victoria. The investigation is continuing to receive and analyse information and records from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Public housing towers in North Melbourne and Flemington. The Victorian Ombudsman has found the State Government breached human rights laws when it locked down nine public housing towers in inner Melbourne after a coronavirus outbreak in early July. She was a victim of family violence and had left the property temporarily. Occupants of nine public housing towers were sent into hard lockdown after a spike in Melbourne’s COVID-19 cases, with residents given no notice that they were to be locked inside … At other times, check out our list of emergency contacts. An investigation by the Victorian Ombudsman has found that the July lockdown of public housing towers in Flemington and North Melbourne “was not compatible with the residents’ human rights, including their right to humane treatment when deprived of liberty.” The Victorian Ombudsman is investigating the treatment of public housing residents at 33 Alfred St in North Melbourne, which has spent nearly a fortnight now in hard lockdown.American Icon Definition, A Case Study Of Israel-palestine Conflict, Manual Laundry Agitator, Windows Acl Synology, Bête Noire Cake With Bourbon, Yukon Property For Sale, But I Still Love You Meaning In Punjabi,