Publications

1997

Disability Rights

The Sterilisation of Girls and Young Women in Australia

The legal framework regulating sterilisation of children in Australia was set out by the High Court in Marion's Case in 1992

1997

Disability Rights

FounDDAtions: Reflections on the first five years of the Disability Discrimination Act in Australia

As I reach the end of my appointment as the first Disability Discrimination Commissioner, and in the light of proposed structural and funding changes to the Commission, I am drawn to reflect upon the theory and practice, challenges and developments, lessons and achievements, of the first five years...

1997

Disability Rights

The Overlooked Consumers – 20% of the Australian Population with Disabilities and Older People

Every day, one in five Australians experiences difficulties or frustrations in performing everyday tasks with everyday things, such as consumer electronics and appliances. As technology develops, an increasing proportion of products are inaccessible to people with a range of different disabilities....

1997

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Bringing them home: The 'Stolen Children' report (1997)

Report of the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from Their Families. (April 1997)

1997

LGBTI

Human Rights for Australia's Gays and Lesbians (1997)

Gay men and lesbians face widespread discrimination on the basis of their sexual orientation as do persons of trans-gender identity. The full realisation and protection of human rights and equality of opportunity require the adoption of positive measures to eliminate discrimination on the basis of...

Race Discrimination

The RDA and native title (1997)

The response to the High Court’s Wik decision has given rise to intense discussions about the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (RDA), the Australian Constitution and the future of native title, among other things.

Race Discrimination

The Racial Hatred Act: A Guide for People Working in the Australian Media (1997)

The Racial Hatred Act: A Guide for People Working in the Australian Media (1997) Click here to enter Produced by the Race Discrimination Commissioner 1997

Commission – General

Annual Report 1995 - 1996

Dear Attorney I have pleasure in presenting the Annual Report of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission for the period ended 30 June 1996, pursuant to section 45 of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Act 1986. The report has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of sub...

1996

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Indigenous Deaths in Custody:

A Report prepared by the Office of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission

Sex Discrimination

Sexual Harassment and Educational Institutions: A Guide to the Federal Sex Discrimination Act (1996)

Educational institutions have important dual responsibilities under the Sex Discrimination Act because they are both employers and providers of education. They are places of learning for students and workplaces for staff. Institutions need to ensure that the teaching, learning and and working...

1995

Disability Rights

Human Rights and Mental Illness: Victoria

The terms of the original National Inquiry covered all aspects of the human rights of people affected by mental illness, including human rights in relation to institutional and non-institutional care and treatment.

1995

Race Discrimination

Racial Discrimination Act 1975: A review

FOREWORD The Commonwealth Attorney-General, the Hon. Michael Lavarch, launched the review of the Racial Discrimination Act (RDA) on 7 August 1995. Along with a number of academics, practitioners and experts in the field of anti-discrimination law, Mr Lavarch addressed a seminar held by the Race...

1995

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Mornington Island Review Report

This review is a follow-up to Mornington: A Report by the Federal Race Discrimination Commissioner, released in April 1993. That Report was the result of a two-and-a-half year investigation into a range of issues affecting Aboriginal people living on Mornington Island in far north Queensland.

1994

LGBTI

Report of the Human Rights Commissioner on certain provisions of the Tasmanian Criminal Code

BACKGROUND Two sections of the Tasmanian Criminal Code (Section 122 (a) and (c) and Section 123) criminalise some forms of sexual activity between males and females and all forms of sexual intercourse between males, including all forms of sexual intercourse and at least some expressions of sexual...

Race Discrimination

Mornington : a report by the Federal Race Discrimination Commissioner

See also Guide to the Mornington Report (1993) Download the Guide - PDF Download the Guide - Word INTRODUCTION In November 1990 the Federal Race Discrimination Commissioner received a petition signed by 163 Aboriginal residents on Mornington Island requesting an investigation of an incident, which...