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Disability Rights

Using the Disability Convention for practical change (2009)

Some of us here were sitting in a stuffy conference room in the UN headquarters in New York when the Working Group completed its drafting of the convention. It was only stuffy because - in true UN style - we had exceeded our time limit for the session, the interpreters had gone home, and the air-conditioning had been turned off. But for most of us, these disadvantages paled in the excitement of what we had achieved. And that excitement was amplified as we watched the General Assembly confirm our work.

Category, Speech
Sex Discrimination

Slavery in 21st Century Australia - A Human Rights Challenge (2008)

Over the last 12 months, I have been fortunate to meet Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians from many corners of this country – Arnhem Land, Darwin, Canberra, Fitzroy Crossing, Redfern, Mackay and many more. Many talented and passionate individuals are driving immense social change for their communities. They are a real inspiration to me.

Category, Speech
Commission – General

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By way of preamble, it is clear the current climate of terrorism obviously requires governments to put in place measures that can effectively deal with a serious terrorist threat or event as soon as it is detected. Parliament cannot wait until potential dangers eventuate. It is understandable – indeed it is necessary in advance - to put in place measures that can deal with the worst case scenario that could arise.

Category, Speech
Commission – General

The Death Penalty - a matter of principle

It is almost 40 years since the last man was hanged in Australia. Today, the death penalty has been abolished in every Australian jurisdiction. Opposition to the death penalty attracts bi-partisan political support. Yet in a region where many of our closest neighbours still maintain the death penalty, I believe Australia can - and should - take a stronger stand against state sanctioned execution.

Category, Speech

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