News

Rights and Freedoms

The Forgotten Freedoms – Freedom of Religion

It is a great pleasure to deliver a Blackfriars Lecture. A few weeks ago I gave a speech to the Sydney Institute outlining the approach I plan to take to human rights as the Federal Commissioner titled ‘The Forgotten Freedoms’. In this speech I outlined that I have concerns about the key freedoms of expression, worship, association and property rights. Reasserting them will be the focus of my tenure as Human Rights Commissioner.

29 May, 2014

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.

6 May, 2014

Rights and Freedoms

The freedom wars and the future of human rights in Australia

Address to the National Press Club, Canberra

9 April, 2014

Race Discrimination

Free thinking?

Many say freedom of expression means nothing if it doesn’t entail a freedom to offend others. Enjoying such freedom means that you may also have to tolerate hurtful or distasteful speech. But what if the burden of tolerance is not borne equally? What if some forms of speech wound not merely...

1 March, 2014

Rights and Freedoms

Freedom of Speech and Racial vilification: one man’s freedom ends where another’s starts

The Sydney Institute Tuesday 26 November 2013 6pm Venue: King & Wood Mallesons, Level 61, Governor Phillip Tower, 1 Farrer Place, Sydney (Check against delivery) I am pleased to have the opportunity to contribute to the Sydney Institute speakers program and to discuss two freedoms- freedom of speech...

26 November, 2013

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Policing Partnerships: How Justice Reinvestment works with Aboriginal communities

NSW Police Seminar, University of Western Sydney

24 June, 2013

Children's Rights

Play is more than just having fun: enriching childhoods

Network of Community Activities, International College of Management, Manly NSW

17 May, 2013

Human Rights Day Oration - delivered by the Honourable James Spigelman AC QC

The Human Rights Day Oration was delivered by James Spigelman, Chairman of the ABC and former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of NSW from 1998 until 2011. His keynote speech tackled the topical issue of ‘Where do we draw the line between hate speech and free speech?’

10 December, 2012

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Launch of the Social Justice and Native Title Reports 2012

Keynote address by Geoff Scott, Chief Executive Officer, New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council

30 November, 2012

Disability Rights

Access iQ Launch, Media Access Australia (2012)

Access iQ Launch, Media Access Australia Thursday, 19 July 2012 Graeme Innes AM Disability Discrimination Commissioner Australian Human Rights Commission Good morning, I'm Graeme Innes and I tweet. In fact I probably tweet five to six times a day. I get my breaking news on Twitter. I get my cricket...

19 July, 2012

Disability Rights

The DDA 20 Years On: Successes, Lessons and Future Directions (2012)

The DDA 20 Years On: Successes, Lessons and Future Directions 3rd Annual National Disability Summit Paving a future direction for disability policy reform in Australia Melbourne 27 June 2012 Graeme Innes Disability Discrimination Commissioner I acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which...

27 June, 2012

Disability Rights

The DDA 20 Years On: Successes, Lessons and Future Directions (2012)

At this Summit in 2010, I talked about the crucial roles of a National Disability Insurance Scheme. They were in moving to a society that respects, protects, promotes and fulfils human rights for people with disability. I used the title Money Changes Everything - But What's Insurance Got to Do with It?

27 June, 2012

Disability Rights

Accessible procurement and promotion of equality in employment (2011)

The Australian Human Rights Commission Act tells us that the Commission's functions should be performed "efficiently and with the greatest possible benefit to the people of Australia". That is also a good summary of the goals of the Department of Finance, in public expenditure, public administration and policy and regulation.

2 August, 2011

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Presentation to FaHCSIA (NSW/ACT) staff (2011)

On behalf of my Elders I salute Gadigal Elders, both past and present, for their continued struggle for country and culture here in the place where our colonisation began.

11 April, 2011

Rights and Freedoms

President Speech: Religion in the public square

I would like to begin today by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet, the Wurundjeri peoples, and pay my respect to their elders, past and present.

23 July, 2010