News
Children's Rights
Rights of children in schools: a human rights perspective on behaviour
Read a speech by the Children's Commissioner that highlights the importance of including the views of students when defining the rights of children.
Disability Rights
National Press Club address
(check against delivery) I acknowledge the traditional owners of this land. I do so not as a formulaic beginning, but as a sincere recognition of the place which the land holds in the lives and culture of our first Australians. I saw much of the disadvantage Aboriginal people experience during my...
Children's Rights
Marist Youth Care
While I believe most Australians wish for children in this country an equal chance at life - an opportunity to not just survive but to thrive - and to be free from violence, abuse and neglect, it is, perhaps, less understood or acknowledged that this opportunity is also the right of every Australian child.
Sex Discrimination
Australian Industry Group National Personnel and Industrial Relations (PIR) Conference
I’ve been asked here today to speak briefly about gender equality in workplaces and about the National Review on Discrimination Related to Pregnancy, Parental Leave and Return to Work, which I am currently conducting.
Children's Rights
Juvenile Justice? Ensuring the Opportunity to Thrive
I thought I might begin today by sharing with you the words of a few of the young people I heard from during my national listening tour last year.
Children's Rights
Emerging priorities in my role as National Children’s Commissioner
I am honoured to be invited to participate in the Grand Rounds at the Royal Children’s Hospital. What a Grand title indeed, and it makes me feel a little as though I should be appropriately attired in a white coat with stethoscope.
Children's Rights
Safeguarding mental health of children, ensuring opportunity to thrive
Safeguarding mental health for children and ensuring opportunity, a speech by Megan Mitchell National Children's Commissioner.
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
We can't 'outsource' our moral obligations to these people
Events on Manus Island have graphically and tragically brought to the attention of the Australian public the inappropriateness of the current arrangements for the regional processing of asylum seekers. I have been troubled by the loss of life and the injury that has occurred on Manus Island over this...
Disability Rights
Launch of Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District Action Plan
Sarah - not her real name - studied law at university. Not only did she earn a good law degree, she won the university medal. She also won competitions for mooting- conducting mock trials for those of you smart enough not to have chosen law as your profession. She could not get a job - or even an interview - with the Australian public service because she has a significant disability, including using a wheelchair, and some verbal communication issues.
Disability Rights
Launch of Love and Kisses- taking action on the reproductive and sexual health and rights of people with disability
Stella Young is a vivacious journalist, with a love of dinosaurs and Melbourne night life. She edits the ABC's Disability Portal Ramp Up. She uses a wheelchair. Her disability means that she often breaks bones, and her parents took her to hospital when she broke her leg whilst on a family holiday. Stella was about four years old. The doctor - whilst repairing the break - said to her parents "well, while she's under anaesthetic we may as well perform the hysterectomy." Luckily for Stella, her parents refused.
Children's Rights
Young people seeking asylum – protecting their rights in Australia
Young people seeking asylum – protecting their rights in Australia Practitioners Workshop, ‘Improving Services for Unaccompanied Minors & Young People Seeking Asylum’ CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY 1. Acknowledgments Thank you, Pino, for your introduction. Thank you also to Australian Red Cross for the...
Disability Rights
We have to stop this
“Are you talking about rape? I’ve been raped many times. You just have to get used to it.” Imagine that your daughter, sister, mother, wife, girlfriend or female friend had the grave misfortune to have this happen to her - and that this statement, thick with defeat and resignation, was her response...
Children's Rights
Realising child rights in the early years
Closing speech Infant and Early Childhood Social and Emotional Wellbeing Conference 2013 National Convention Centre, Canberra CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY 1. Acknowledgments Thank you, Lance, for that kind introduction. I would like to acknowledge the traditional owners and custodians of the land on which...
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
QUT Indigenous Law and Justice Dinner
Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you today amongst those of you who aspire to promote equality and social justice.
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