Skip to main content

Browse News

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Site navigation

Thank you for the invitation to appear before the committee. I would like to acknowledge that we are meeting on Gadigal land, and pay my respects to the Gadigal people.

Category, Speech
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Site navigation

In championing the cause of universality (of human rights) I should emphasise that universality does not negate cultural diversity; on the contrary, I believe that it reinforces and protects cultural diversity.

Category, Speech
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Landmark report - First Nations women and girls

Thank you all for joining me on the lands of the Nyoongar people. Thank you for the welcoming to country Kerry-Ann and I thank everyone of you for making time in your busy day to witness this press conference. I especially thank the Nyoongar outreach for hosting this event in your beautiful...

Category, Speech
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

A human rights agenda for the Northern Territory (2008)

I begin by paying my respects to the Larrakia peoples, the traditional owners of the land where we gather today. I pay my respects to your elders, to the ancestors and to those who have come before us.

Category, Speech
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Our Right to Protect our Knowledge

I begin by paying my respects to the Ngunnawal peoples, the traditional owners of this land. I pay my respects to your elders, past, present and future.

Category, Speech
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

NAIDOC Week 2008 - Following on from the Apology

I would like to begin by acknowledging the Gadigal people of the Eora nation, the traditional owners of the land on which we meet and pay my respects to their elders past and present.

Category, Speech
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Site navigation

Tom Calma, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner and acting Race Discrimination Commissioner, Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission

Category, Speech
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Site navigation

I would like to begin by acknowledging the traditional owners, the Gimuy Walubara Yidinji people of the Cairns region on whose land we are meeting today. I also acknowledge and pay respects to all of our elders here today.

Category, Speech
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Site navigation

I would like to begin by acknowledging and paying my respects to the Traditional Owners, the Wurundjeri people, and to pay my respect to their elders.

Category, Speech
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Site navigation

I call my paper 'Social Justice Then Native Title' in order to make a clear distinction between two aspects of Indigenous People's struggle; the ultimate goals we are seeking to achieve and the means by which we seek to achieve them. Distinguishing the means and the ends, the former a servant of the latter, is a fundamental tenet of strategic thinking. And it is clear to me that a strategic approach will identify native title as simply a tool for achieving social justice for Indigenous people.

Category, Speech
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Site navigation

Today's launch here in Sydney is part of a national program of launches that I have been undertaking in recent weeks in order to bring issues of human rights significance raised by my latest social justice and native title reports to the attention of Indigenous and other interested communities and organisations. So far, launches have been held in Melbourne, Perth and Broome, with launches in the next week in Alice Springs and Adelaide; to be followed by Brisbane and Darwin after that.

Category, Speech
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

An Indigenous home for Indigenous children

To all of you who work with and for Indigenous children and families - my deepest congratulations. Many of you have spent years decrying the treatment of Indigenous children.You have written and spoken, cajoled and attempted to convince and then lobbied some more - just trying to get the people of this country to open their eyes. Your energy has been boundless. Your patience infinite.

Category, Speech
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Essentials for Social Justice: Reform

Between December 2007 and April 2008 the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Tom Calma, will deliver a series of key speeches setting out an agenda for change in Indigenous affairs.

Category, Speech

Follow us on social media

We engage in social media to promote discussion and debate on human rights issues.

Media centre

Visit our media centre for up to date contact details for all media enquiries.

Learn More