I make the following statement in my capacity as the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner on behalf of the Australian Human Rights Commission, Australia’s National Human Rights Institution (NHRI).
Firstly we would like to acknowledge and congratulate Chief Wilton Littlechild on his election as the chairperson to the fifth session of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
In 1994, phone numbers had seven digits, we listened to Crowded House, and it was legal to own a semi-automatic rifle. Mother And Son and A Country Practice disappeared from television screens, and The Adventures Of Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert and Muriel's Wedding showed off our magnificent country and sense of humour while touching on tough issues such as marginalisation, sexuality and racism.
You are in an archived section of the website. This information may not be current.
This page was first created in December, 2012
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are not represented in our Federal Parliament. Five years ago, they ceased altogether to have a representative voice when the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) was abolished. We have suffered as a result.
RECENT announcements notwithstanding, there's no getting around the fact that young people in South Australia are being detained in overcrowded and outdated conditions in breach of Australia's human rights obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
You are in an archived section of the website. This information may not be current.
This page was first created in December, 2012
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.
It is a very great honour for me to be invited to give this third lecture in commemoration of the great Aboriginal mathematician and scientist, David Unaipon.
You are in an archived section of the website. This information may not be current.
This page was first created in December, 2012
I don't care how hard it is. You build Aboriginality or you get nothing. There's no choice about it. If our Aboriginal people cannot change how it is among themselves, then the Aboriginal people will never climb back out of hell. 1
You are in an archived section of the website. This information may not be current.
This page was first created in December, 2012
I would like to acknowledge the Anaiwan people as the traditional owners of this country, and to thank the University of New England for the honour of presenting the 1994 Frank Archibald memorial lecture.
You are in an archived section of the website. This information may not be current.
This page was first created in December, 2012
Under clear blue skies on a warm afternoon, Yankunytjatjara members of Anangu Pitjantjatjara peoples are sitting in the shade of large gum trees on the banks of a broad, dry creek bed. They have come from far and wide to be at this important meeting. There is a good turn up, despite a number of people having to attend to other responsibilities.
