News

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

The Power of Identity: Naming Oneself, Reclaiming Community

Thank you Peter for your kind words of introduction and thank you Krystelle (Jordan) for your welcome to country. Krystelle, can I begin by acknowledging and paying my respects to the your people, the traditional owners of this place upon which we sit and talk here tonight. I honour your Elders that have come before us, those Elders who are here tonight and I await in optimistic anticipation of those Elders, like you, who are yet to emerge. My people are the Gangulu from the Dawson Valley in Central Queensland.

2 November, 2011

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Strengthening our relationships over lands, territories and resources

Let me begin by acknowledging and paying my respects to the Traditional Owners of the place upon which we sit and talk tonight. I honour your Elders that have come before us, those that are here tonight and I await in optimistic anticipation for those Elders who are yet to emerge.

24 October, 2011

Disability Rights

2011 Disability Speech: NSW Careers Forum

RITA KUSEVSKIS-HAYES: Good morning, everybody. If I can ask everyone to take their seats. Good morning, everybody. My name is Rita Kusevskis-Hayes, and I would like to welcome you on behalf of the 2011 Careers Forum Organising Committee to the University of New South Wales.

6 September, 2011

Commission – General

The empowered citizen: the importance of education and equality for a modern democracy (2011)

I would like to begin this evening by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet, the Awabakal People. I pay my respects to their elders past and present.

30 August, 2011

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Symposium on Indigenous Sentencing, Punishment and Healing (2011)

I am a Gangulu person from the Dawson Valley in Central Queensland and when I speak to my Elders, they ask me to pass on my salutations to the Traditional Owners of the land I visit for their continued fight for their country and their culture.

5 July, 2011

Age Discrimination

Reflections on age discrimination: The price we pay for growing older

But first let me acknowledge that we are gathered on the traditional land of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. I pay my deepest respects to their elders both past and present.

21 June, 2011

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Effective engagement: The tonic for a reconciled nation (2011)

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Mick Gooda charts an agenda of hope that can guide us towards a reconciled Australia.

30 May, 2011

Disability Rights

One size does not fit all (2011)

It's true of almost everything in life - clothes, relationships, jobs, etc … one size does not fit all.

11 May, 2011

Commission – General

President Speech: A human rights-based approach to immigrant women’s issues (2011)

I would like to begin by joining other speakers in acknowledging the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation, the traditional owners of the land upon which we meet. I pay my respects to their elders, both past and present.

13 April, 2011

Commission – General

President Speech: NSW Jewish Board of Deputies Passover Seder - Freedom in Australia (2011)

It is a great honour to be invited to speak tonight at this special celebration for the Jewish people. Passover is a celebration of the journey of the Hebrews from slavery in Egypt to freedom. It is a journey that represents taking responsibility for oneself, one’s community and the world.

7 April, 2011

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Combating Racism in Sport panel discussion (2011)

I would like to acknowledge the initiative of the Australian Permanent Mission to the United Nations and the AFL in coordinating this session. I’d further like to thank the Head of Mission, Mr Peter Woollcott for the invitation to participate in today’s discussion which focuses on racism and sport in Australia.

26 January, 2011

Commission – General

President Speech: From international principles to everyday reality: human rights education in Australia (2010)

I join with those who have spoken before me in acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet, the Dharug people, and pay my respects to their elders, both past and present.

4 November, 2010

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Towards a reconciled Australia: National Press Club speech (2010)

With respect and gratitude I acknowledge that we sit on the lands of the Ngunnawal peoples and I thank the Traditional Owners for allowing us to do so.

3 November, 2010

Race Discrimination

Still judged by skin colour (2010)

The following opinion pieces have been published by the President and Commissioners. Reproduction of the opinion pieces must include reference to where the opinion piece was originally published.

21 June, 2010

Rights and Freedoms

Opening a door on the bleak truth of homelessness (2010)

The following opinion pieces have been published by the President and Commissioners. Reproduction of the opinion pieces must include reference to where the opinion piece was originally published.

18 June, 2010