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Remarks of Edward Santow, Human Rights Commissioner to the 12th Annual Victorian Parliament Iftar Dinner CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY Acknowledgements Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation; Ahmet Keskin, Executive Director, Australian Intercultural Society; Sarah Abo, SBS World News, for that kind introduction; Distinguished members of parliament and others. Introduction I’ve been worrying a lot…

I also want to make mention of the fact that we are 130kn south west of an area of great significance to the Aboriginal communities of western NSW, which is now called Mutawintji National Park - the first park to be handed back to its Traditional Owners under the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Act in 1998. [1] The caves and overhangs in the park have been transformed into expansive galleries of…

This session focuses primarily on relationships between National Human Rights Institutions (NHRI’s) and the Judiciary, but as well touches on their relationship with officers of the executive government such as the Attorney-General. One of the stated aims of this session is to assess how the independent institutions of the judiciary and NHRI’s can mutually and independently strengthen…

The lion and the lamb: freedom of religion in multicultural Australia Affinity Intercultural Foundation: Lunchtime Lecture Series CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY Introduction Acknowledgements Gadigal people of the Eora nation; Ahmet Polat. The Hon Ray Williams MP (NSW Minister for Multiculturalism, and Minister for Disability Services) Dr Elizabeth Coombs, Acting NSW Privacy Commissioner Australia is…

I would like to begin by thanking the Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) for inviting me to address you today, and to thank you for your attendance.

When I first entered the law 'benchbooks' were closely guarded, leather bound books into which judges carefully entered notes as a case progressed - usually I thought adverse comments and exclamation marks about one's arguments or less than flattering remarks about one's principal witness. These books seemed to be some kind of secret code to the outcome of cases and never saw the light of day.

As you know, the Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act, and equivalent laws in all States, make it unlawful to discriminate on the ground of a person's disability. One of the areas covered by the Act is access to premises. The only exception to this is where a building is already constructed not providing access, and alteration to provide access would cause unjustifiable hardship.

In my presentation today I want to focus on the Commission's work with Local Government and the effect the Disability Discrimination Act has had on how they go about their business.