Australia, Human Rights, Refugees and Asylum Seekers
A comment on the current human rights issues faced by Australia in the processing of refugees and asylum seekers
A comment on the current human rights issues faced by Australia in the processing of refugees and asylum seekers
I knew Brad well and admired him a great deal. We met when he joined the Crown Solicitor’s Office and we worked closely together in that office for a number of years. He was appointed Crown Solicitor of South Australia when I left that position to practice at the private Bar. He was subsequently appointed Solicitor-General of South Australia, the office from which, I believe, he made his greatest contribution to Australian public law.
Australia is a great country to live in — for most of us most of the time. We don’t suffer the terrible poverty witnessed in some parts of the world, our judicial system works well by international standards and most of us can vote in elections by secret ballot. Most of us can live pretty safely, say what we like most of the time and, if we are so inclined, practise our faith in peace. Most of us have access to decent education and health services.
Five years ago I began my term as the President of the Australian Human Rights Commission, confident in the ability of the common law and a robust democracy to protect human rights. I leave convinced we need a major legal and cultural overhaul in order to deal with the human rights challenges of the 21st century.
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Because in addition to being integral members of the workforce, women are the bearers of and remain the primary carers for children. So if it isn't working for her then it isn't working for her family, her partner, her children and babies.
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.
Thank you, Megan McNichol, conference organisers and the Isolated Children's Parents' Association for inviting me to speak at your annual federal conference today.
If you feel uncomfortable, or like something is wrong, it’s really important you get help. Something not feeling right could mean that a person or an organisation isn’t playing by the rules when it comes to your rights. Let’s step through who you can turn to when children’s rights aren’t being respected.
If you feel unsafe or like something bad is happening to you right now, there are people who can help you straight away.
The first step in figuring out whether your rights have been disrespected is to know what they are in the first place. As a child in Australia, you have lots of rights. Like:
If you want to find out more about your rights, we’ve got a page just for that.
A good place to start if you feel like something is wrong is to speak to an adult you can trust - someone who will listen, believe and help you.
The first person you talk to may not be the right person so it’s okay to keep telling other safe people in your life until you have been heard, believed, and someone helps you.
There are places in the community you can get help from if you don’t feel comfortable speaking to an adult you know. The best place to turn to depends on if:
You can chat to these services for free, and what you say is private. You don’t even have to tell them your name if you don’t want to.
You can talk to them about anything—no matter how big or small it seems.
You can make a complaint to us for different reasons. For example, if you think:
We can investigate and try to help solve it. Making a complaint is free and open to anyone anywhere in Australia. Find out more about how to make a complaint.
I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet. Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you tonight. It's almost 18 months since we launched the Same-Sex: Same Entitlements National Inquiry. In that time, we have travelled around Australia to hear, first hand, about the impact of discriminatory laws on same-sex couples, and their children. We received 680 written submissions from across Australia and met with more than 500 people. The Inquiry put federal laws under the human rights microscope.
Meet Anne Hollonds,
Australia's National Children's Commissioner.
Her job is to stand up for your rights, and make sure your voices are heard.
My job is to stand up for the human rights of Australia’s children and young people, and to make sure that they get the help they need to be safe and well.
All children should have enough to eat, public transport, good health care, including for mental health, and a safe neighbourhood. They should be able to feel they belong and are supported in their family, their community and at school. They need time and space to enjoy activities like sport and music, and to play.
I want to make sure children and young people have a voice in the issues that affect them.
I listen to find out what matters most to them and what their hopes and problems are. Then I tell the government and other decision-makers what children have said, so that laws and policies better protect their rights.
I also talk to community about children's rights in the media and in speeches, and I do research and write submissions to government. And I keep a close eye on children who need extra help, like children in detention or in out-of-home care.
Children tell me they want their voices to be heard and their views taken seriously. I also hear that having a supportive family and school is really important for their wellbeing.
The best part of my job is talking to children and young people from across Australia to hear their stories and ideas. I am often surprised by what they say. Hearing directly from children is important so I can tell governments what they need.
I would ask the Australian Government to make child safety and wellbeing a priority for National Cabinet and appoint a Minister for Children.
I love swimming and going to the beach with my family, watching Netflix, listening to music and hanging out with friends.
The story in my hand is the saddest of all stories. It is the story of children taken from their mothers and fathers and families. It is the story of mothers and fathers and families who lost the most precious thing in their lives. Their children.
The globalisation of the world economy, including much improved communication and transportation, has increased flows of people across borders. This includes the movement of children, both with their family and unaccompanied. Separated children crossing borders may be refugees, humanitarian asylum seekers, trafficked girls who will be forced to work as prostitutes, or simply children lost in the aftermath of war. So today, children can literally travel across the world undetected and unprotected. And Australia, as part of this global system, has its share of these children.
I would like to acknowledge the Kaurna people, the traditional owners of the land on which we are meeting, and to honour their children. I thank them for the welcome they have extended to delegates of this conference.
1. That Aboriginal child sexual abuse in the Northern Territory be designated as an issue of urgent national significance by both the Australian and Northern Territory Governments, and both governments immediately establish a collaborative partnership with a Memorandum of Understanding to specifically address the protection of Aboriginal children from sexual abuse. It is critical that both governments commit to genuine consultation with Aboriginal people in designing initiatives for Aboriginal communities.” (emphasis added)
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