Age Discrimination
Hon. Dr Kay Patterson AO Age Discrimination Commissioner Speech to Chris Barnard Nursing Agency (CBNA) MACG Grand Cedar, Ashwood VIC, 3 May 2023 CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY Welcome everyone - I wish to acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and Bunurong people as the traditional owners of the lands from...
Sex Discrimination
Thank you for inviting me to speak to you today about my work and its legal connections. In the first instance of course these connections are obvious - my work is based on an Act of the Commonwealth Parliament, the Sex Discrimination Act of 1984, which makes discrimination unlawful on the basis of sex, marital status, pregnancy or potential pregnancy. It also makes indirect discrimination unlawful when an action has that effect on a group of people. Finally, it also makes sexual harassment and dismissal on the basis of family responsibilities unlawful.
Sex Discrimination
Of course, women too can be violent. However for the most part, the purpose and effects differ radically - male violence is used to regulate women's behaviour, and men's. Men commit most of the violence that is considered in the criminal system, against women and against other men.
Sex Discrimination
It is nearly fifteen years since the introduction of the Sex Discrimination Act - legislation enacted in Australia to meet our international obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women. At the same time too, we have seen the introduction of legislation (The Affirmative Action Act) designed to commit organisations of 100 or more employees to determining measures and programs to ensure that women are afforded equal opportunity.
Business and Human Rights
At ‘Raising the Bar: Leading Sustainable Business in 2008’ Annual National Conference of the Australian Centre for Corporate Social Responsibility
Rights and Freedoms
1. Introduction 2. Emergence of International Human Rights 3. Impact of international human rights law on federal law 4. Moving forward on human rights protection
Rights and Freedoms
Families, and those who support them, play a vital role in the protection of human rights. Accordingly, I am very pleased to address this conference, and I commend all of you for your work in preserving and strengthening families.
Commission – General
I am honoured to have been invited to address you this evening on this beautiful campus of the Flinders University of South Australia. Let me begin my address by recalling that, long before the establishment of this prestigious place of learning in the European tradition, there was learning of another tradition here; the learning of the Kaurna people of the Adelaide Plains.I would like to acknowledge the Kaurna people, the traditional owners of the land on which we meet, and pay my respect to their elders, past and present.
Commission – General
It is now 12 months since the introduction of WorkChoices radically restructured Australia’s industrial relations system. Today, I propose to reflect on the implications of WorkChoices for the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) and to outline reforms HREOC believes are necessary to safeguard fairness and equality in the workplace.
Commission – General
Today, on its 125th anniversary, we celebrate the very considerable achievements of the Law Society of South Australia. This is an occasion to reflect on these past successes, to consider their present significance, and to think about the future.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
It is with respect and gratitude I acknowledge that we sit on the lands of the Nyoonga People and I thank the Traditional Owners for allowing us to do so.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
I would like to acknowledge the Kaurna People, the traditional owners and custodians of the Adelaide Plains and pay my respects to their elders past and present. Thank you Uncle Lewis O’Brien for your warm and generous welcome.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
Thank you Sharron for your introduction, and thank you Uncle Lewis O’Brien for your warm welcome to country. And congratulations to the Taikurtinna Dancers for a great performance and oration.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
I would like to begin by acknowledging the Noongar people on whose land we are today and pay my respects to their elders. The recent recognition of the Noongar as traditional owners of this land sets a significant context for the launch of the Western Australian Law Reform Commission Report on Aboriginal Customary Laws. The recognition of Noongar native title through Australian law is the most powerful confirmation possible that as a society they possessed, and continue to possess, well-developed systems of law and custom.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
It is now more than 5 years since the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission completed its national inquiry into the separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families with the publication of Bringing them home.
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