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15 July 2014Book page
Chapter 1: How far have we come? Looking back on 20 years of the Social Justice Commissioner role
1.1 Introduction This year marks 20 years since the establishment of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner (Social Justice Commissioner) role under the Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986 (Cth). When I first started in this position I was asked if any of the previous Commissioners had left any words or notes of advice. I answered them ‘no, but they all… -
Disability Rights
14 December 2012SpeechReasonable adjustment
It's important for us all in talking about reasonable adjustment not to appear to present employing people with disability as something new or exceptional being asked of employers. -
Race Discrimination
23 July 2015Opinion pieceForty years of the Racial Discrimination Act
In October 1975, at a ceremony for the proclamation of the Racial Discrimination Act, then Prime Minister Gough Whitlam described the legislation as ‘a historic measure’, which aimed to ‘entrench new attitudes of tolerance and understanding in the hearts and minds of the people’.(1) The Act was Australia’s first federal human rights and discrimination law. Enacted shortly after the formal -
Age Discrimination
14 December 2012PublicationAge Discrimination: exposing the hidden barrier for mature age workers
Since the introduction of the Age Discrimination Act 2004 (Cth), experiences of age discrimination in employment among mature age workers have featured prominently in the complaints of age discrimination received by the Australian Human Rights Commission. In 2008-09, I undertook a series of consultations with peak bodies including age-based community groups, legal service providers, business… -
Commission – General
14 December 2012SpeechHuman rights education: realising the vision of social justice
Speech by Catherine Branson, former president of the Australian Human Rights Commission, delivered as part of the Centre for Research in Education Annual Oration in 2011. -
Disability Rights
14 December 2012Speech
International Day of People with Disabilities Keynote Speech
Thanks for the chance to speak with you today. As you might guess, in my role as Disability Discrimination Commissioner, I receive many invitations to speak at functions on the international day. One of the reasons I chose this invitation is because of the really important role that Local Government plays in the lives of all Australians. It deals with the issues that are in your face- and I know,… -
Rights and Freedoms
6 July 2013Project
Right to freedom of information, opinion and expression
Explore the right to freedom of information, opinion, and expression, and understand its importance in a democratic society. Learn about permissible limitations and protections. -
14 December 2012Book page
Annual Report 2002-2003: Appendices
The International Labour Organisation Convention 111 deals with discrimination in employment and occupation. Australian adherence to this Convention provides that all people have the right to equal treatment in employment and occupation without discrimination on the basis of: -
14 December 2012Book page
Don't judg
During these ten years, thousands of individuals and organisations have used the DDA to create change, either by making complaints of discrimination, using the law as a basis for negotiating broad social change or educating organisations on their responsibilities. -
Commission – General
14 December 2012Speech
Launch of the Social Justice and Native Title Reports 2008
President speech: Launch of the Social Justice and Native Title Reports 2008 11.00am-1.00pm, 4 May 2009 Turner Hall, Ultimo, Sydney, NSW Audio of Speech in mp3 format [6.88MB] Introduction The Hon Cathy Branson QC, President, Australian Human Rights Commission I would like to acknowledge the Gadigal people of the Eora nation, the Traditional Owners of the land where we gather today. I pay my… -
Commission – General
14 December 2012Speech
President Speech: Flinders University Law School Prize Giving Ceremony 2010
First, may I acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we meet, the Gadigal people of the Eora nation, and pay my respects to their elders, both past and present. -
14 December 2012Book page
Social Justice Report 2006: Chapter 4: International developments on the rights of indigenous peoples – Closing the ‘protection gap’
In recent years there have been significant developments at the international level that impact upon the recognition and protection of the human rights of indigenous peoples. Most notably, there have been: i) reforms to the machinery of the United Nations (UN) and the emphasis given to human rights within that system; ii) the making of global commitments to action, through the Millennium… -
Commission – General
14 December 2012Speech
President Speech: 2010 Human Rights Day Oration
We meet today on the lands of the Gadigal peoples of the Eora nation. On behalf of the Australian Human Rights Commission I pay my respect to their elders past and present. -
Commission – General
14 December 2012Speech
2008 Human Rights Day Oration
I would like to begin by acknowledging the Gadigal people of the Eora nation, the traditional owners of the land on which we meet today, and pay my respects to their elders past and present. -
Rights and Freedoms
27 November 2013Speech
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 and freedom from racial vilification. The Sydney Institute is an invaluable not for… -
Disability Rights
14 December 2012Speech
People with Disabilities and productive diversity in the APS
Australian Public Service Commission one-day diversity conference 'Public Service Regeneration - Challenges and Opportunities for the Workforce' Brisbane, Wednesday 8 June 2005. -
Sex Discrimination
31 May 2016SpeechAustralasian Law Reform Agencies Conference
Domestic and family violence and human rights - We all have a right to live our lives free from violence, especially in our relationships, our families and in our homes. -
14 December 2012Book page
Human rights - what do I need to know? (2008)
All Australians have human rights. Human rights are universal: they are for everyone, everywhere, everyday. Human rights are based on values such as freedom, equality and dignity and seek to protect our quality of life. -
Legal
14 December 2012WebpageSubmission: Human Rights and Good Governance Education
The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) which was established in 1986 by the Federal Parliament as successor to the 1981 Human Rights Commission is an independent statutory authority whose functions are to monitor, protect and promote human rights in Australia. The Commission has played a key role in the education of civil society in regard to these rights. -
Rights and Freedoms
13 May 2014Speech
The Forgotten Freedoms
The Sydney Institute