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Children's Rights
24 April 2013SpeechPrivileging the voice of children in family law
I want to start by sharing with you the views of 14-year-old Rani who was – as part of a custody case – the subject of a lengthy dispute about contact. Rani had an independent children’s lawyer and a family report to present ‘her best interests’ to the judge. However she still felt totally excluded from the decision-making process. -
Disability Rights
18 August 2015PublicationReflections - first 5 years of the Disability Discrimination Act
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 of operation of the Disability Discrimination Act, and to look towards directions for the next five… -
Children's Rights
7 July 2017Speech
Reaching the highest standard of health for adolescents
Speech given at the Australian Association for Adolescent Health 2017 Conference Date: 10am - 11am, Thursday 6 July 2017 Introduction Good morning. It’s a pleasure to be here to speak about the work I have done as Australia’s first National Children’s Commissioner. Before I begin, I would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land we gather on today, and pay my respects to Elders… -
Race Discrimination
29 March 2021Project
National Anti-Racism Framework
The Australian Human Rights Commission has launched a plan to develop a National Anti-Racism Framework. The Commission is working with all levels of Government, peak bodies, human rights agencies and community organisations to progress the Framework. -
Complaint Information Service14 December 2012Webpage
Complaints under the Racial Discrimination Act
Learn about the Racial Discrimination Act, which makes it illegal to treat people unfairly due to their race, colour, ethnic origin or immigrant status. -
14 December 2012Book page
Chapter 2: Constitutional reform: Creating a nation for all of us - Social Justice Report 2010
A century ago, the Australian people engaged in a debate about creating a nation. They held meetings...They wrote articles and letters in newspapers. Many views were canvassed and voices were heard. The separate colonies, having divided up the land between them, discussed ways of sharing powers in order to achieve a vision of a united Australia. The result was the Australian Constitution,… -
Commission – General
14 December 2017SpeechSexual Harassment - Safer Workplaces
The Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins delivered the keynote address at the Women in Film and TV NSW - Safer Workplaces Strategies forum. Good morning everyone. I would like to begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which you meet, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, and paying my respects to their elders past and present. I also pay my respects to the… -
Disability Rights
14 December 2012Speech
Disability discrimination legislation and its implementation (1997)
When I was invited to prepare this paper, Andrew Byrnes encouraged me to concentrate on drawing out strategic thoughts from the Australian experience which might be relevant in Hong Kong , and perhaps in other countries also. That is what I hope to do, rather than spending much time simply reciting that experience or the terms of Australia 's legislation. -
Commission – General
14 December 2012Speech
President speech: Keynote address to VIEW Clubs of Australia
Good morning. I would like to acknowledge the Kaurna people, the traditional owners of the land upon which we meet, and pay my respect to their elders past and present. -
Rights and Freedoms
31 October 2013SpeechFreedom of Speech and giving offence: can a balance be struck?
Annual Kirby Lecture on International law: ANZSIL 2013 Thursday 4 July 20136:30 pm Finkel Theatre, John Curtin School of Medical Research,Garran Rd, Australian National University (Check against delivery) Freedom of Speech and giving offence: can a balance be struck? I was especially pleased to be invited to give this address as, throughout my career, I have been enriched by Michael Kirby’s … -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
23 February 2014Opinion pieceWe 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 past week, even as we wait for further information about what exactly has occurred. I am… -
Complaint Information Service14 December 2012Webpage
Complaints under the Age Discrimination Act
Learn how the Age Discrimination Act makes it illegal to treat a person unfairly due to their age, including younger people and older people. -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
6 November 2017WebpageWomen's Voices
ABOUT THE PROJECT Wiyi Yani U Thangani (Women’s Voices) builds on the legacy of the 1986 Women’s Business Report. The Australian Human Rights Commission (the ‘Commission’) is asking Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander women and girls to share their experiences about what the key challenges, priorities and aspirations are for themselves and their communities. This is part of a major project,… -
28 November 2014Book page
Resources
Activity and Resource Sheets Rights Ed Activity Sheet: Picture Difference Picture 1A Picture 2A Picture 3A Source: Photograph taken by Wotjek Gurak on Flickr Rights Ed Activity Sheet: Picture Difference Picture 1B Picture 2B Picture 3B Source: Photograph taken by Wotjek Gurak on Flickr Rights Ed Activity Sheet: Defining Liveability Rights Ed Activity Sheet: What makes a community liveable… -
14 December 2012Book page
Annual Report 2007-2008: Chapter 6 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
The past year has delivered some significant and promising new developments in indigenous affairs. the national apology to the stolen generations and the government’s commitment to the Statement of Intent to Close the Gap in health inequality both demonstrate a growing determination to face the challenges that confront Indigenous australians. i am pleased to say that hreoC has had a part in… -
14 December 2012Book page
National Inquiry into Children in Immigration Detention
“I saw an Afghani guy cut his own throat in my compound – he was working with me in the kitchen that day, and after work, he went outside and he cut himself up everywhere. It was really hard. Even the officers started crying when this happened”. [17–year–old asylum-seeker] -
14 December 2012Book page
HREOC Website: National Inquiry into Children in Immigration Detention
DR OZDOWSKI: It is 9.30 so we will start another day off, formal hearings. My name is Dr Sev Ozdowski and I'm the Human Rights Commissioner. To my right is Dr Trang Thomas, Professor of Psychology at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology and to my left Mrs Robin Sullivan, Queensland's Children's Commissioner. Both of them do assist me with the Inquiry as Assistant Commissioners. Also, on my… -
Children's Rights
11 November 2014Speech
Child Protection: Every Child’s Right
Megan MitchellNational Children’s Commissioner National Child Protection WeekBreakfast LaunchTuesday 9 September Introduction Thank you, Charlie and Zac, and good morning everyone. I’m delighted to be here this morning to help launch National Child Protection Week and to present the NAPCAN Play Your Part Award. Can I start by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we are… -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
14 December 2012Webpage
Reparations for the stolen generations - Government responds - Senator Aden Ridgeway
Acknowledgement of guests from overseas, Parliamentary colleagues, Social Justice Commissioner Mr Bill Jonas, Justice Elizabeth Evatt, ATSIC Commissioners, distinguished guests. -
Commission – General
14 December 2012Speech
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To be honest, this is a rare occasion for me. Much of my career has been spent in the monastic cells of academic institutions teaching the young about different legal systems; their origins and growth, their strengths and weaknesses. Your world - the world of business and industry, finances, profit and loss, sales and marketing - is largely foreign to me in a practical sense.