News

Commission – General

Address to Tri-State Country Conference, Broken Hill

I also want to make mention of the fact that we are 130kn south west of an area of great significance to the Aboriginal communities of western NSW, which is now called Mutawintji National Park - the first park to be handed back to its Traditional Owners under the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Act in 1998. [1] The caves and overhangs in the park have been transformed into expansive galleries of Aboriginal rock art, and it comes as no surprise that they have formed the backdrop for ceremonies for at least 8,000 years.

Disability Rights

Disability action plans

Over the past 10 years I have been involved in developing resources and providing informal assistance to organisations developing Action Plans throughout Australia. This has included assisting in the preparation of the initial guides to developing action plans produced in 1995 and the subsequent publication Developing an Effective Action Plan produced in 1999 both of which can be found on our website at http://www.humanrights.gov.au/disability_rights/action_plans/index.html

Disability Rights

Pathways to Employment

Thanks for the opportunity to speak to this conference today. You are embarking on this topic, in my view, at just the right time. Unemployment is the lowest it has been for over a decade. Our economy is strong and needing more employees, and our population is ageing, reducing the relative size of the workforce. In coming years, there will be fewer of us to support more of us, so as many people as possible need to be working and paying taxes rather than receiving welfare benefits. What better time to introduce employees with disabilities in larger numbers.

Disability Rights

Release of third progress report on South Australia's Promoting Independence strategy

I am not here to present South Australia's government as having achieved the last word in access and inclusion for people with disabilities, any more than this report itself seeks to claim that the task is finished.

Sex Discrimination

Thinking outside the (family home) box: domestic violence as a workplace issue

It is always a pleasure to speak with NEEOPA practitioners. And I am especially grateful for the opportunity to speak with you about domestic and family violence and the steps that businesses can take to address this important workplace issue.

Sex Discrimination

Eliminating Discrimination and Harassment from your workplace: Pru Goward (2005)

Employee Assistance Professionals Association of Australia (EAPA), Wesley Conference Centre, Green Room, 200 Pitt Street Sydney NSW 2000, Tuesday 3 May 2005

Sex Discrimination

Innovation and Social Policy: How Social Policy works in the New Economy

Thank you for inviting me to speak at your Gala night this year - I am very excited to be here and pleased to catch up with so many Canberra friends and colleagues.

Sex Discrimination

Good Luck or Good Management

I was appointed federal Sex Discrimination Commissioner on International Women’s Day this year, and started my work with the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission on the 28th of April.

Rights and Freedoms

Asia Pacific Forum meeting: Dr Sev Ozdowski OAM (2001)

Although the first Human Rights Commission was established by federal legislation in 1981, ICESCR was not added to its mandate (unlike the ICCPR). The omission was repeated when the new (current) Commission was established in 1986.