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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
30 January 2014Opinion pieceWe need to fix the Constitution, says Social Justice Commissioner
Recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the nation’s Constitution is a waste of time, 2UE Drive host Justin Smith recently argued. There are many things the Constitution doesn’t recognise, he said, the document is dull, and we would be better off if we paid attention instead to the words we use every day. I agree with Mr Smith on one point: the Constitution isn’t a page… -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
10 October 2014Opinion pieceMagna Carta shelters asylum-seekers
NEXT year is the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta, signed reluctantly by King John at the demand of his rebellious barons in 1215. Buried in the middle of this foundational document of English constitutional law — setting out the single measure for wine and ale and the rights of widows on the death of their husband — are these words: “No freeman is to be taken or imprisoned or disseised… -
Rights and Freedoms
16 July 2013WebpageDIAC Response to the 2012 Australian Human Rights Commission Report on Immigration Detention at Christmas Island
back to Commission's Immigration detention on Christmas Island report (2012) Department of Immigration and Citizenship Response to the 2012 Australian Human Rights Commission Report on Immigration Detention at Christmas Island Download in PDF [ 36 KB ] Download in Word [ 126 KB ] Introduction The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) welcomes the opportunity to respond to the… -
Sex Discrimination
26 March 2014Book pageA Message from the Commissioner
It is now almost three years since the Review team embarked on an extensive examination of the treatment of women at the Australian Defence Force Academy and in the Australian Defence Force. Since then we have tabled three comprehensive and broad ranging Reports. The work has been detailed, challenging, but always productive. More importantly, the process has moved beyond the ‘why’ to the … -
31 July 2013Book page
4 What are the human rights issues raised by refusal or cancellation of visas under section 501?
The Commission has a number of concerns about the impact on the human rights of people whose applications for visas are refused or whose visas are cancelled under section 501 of the Migration Act. The Commission is particularly concerned about the consequences for: refugees who have their applications for protection visas refused on character grounds long-term permanent residents of… -
14 December 2012Book page
Bringing them Home - Chapter 1
Our life pattern was created by the government policies and are forever with me, as though an invisible anchor around my neck. The moments that should be shared and rejoiced by a family unit, for [my brother] and mum and I are forever lost. The stolen years that are worth more than any treasure are irrecoverable. Confidential submission 338, Victoria. -
14 December 2012Book page
Social Justice Report 2006: Chapter 1 : Introduction
Social Justice Report 2006 Back to Contents Chapter 1 : Introduction Table of contents Introduction >> Chapter 2 What makes good Indigenous policy? Reflections on the current policy framework for Indigenous affairs Contents of the Social Justice Report 2006 This is my third Social Justice Report as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner and covers the period… -
14 December 2012Book page
Bringing them Home - Chapter 16
That's why I wanted the files brought down, so I could actually read it and find out why I was taken away and why these three here [siblings] were taken by [our] auntie ... Why didn't she take the lot of us instead of leaving two there? ... I'd like to get the files there and see why did these ones here go to the auntie and the other ones were fostered. Confidential evidence 161, Victoria. -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
17 July 2015Publication
Summary factsheet - The Forgotten Children: National Inquiry into Children in Immigration Detention 2014
The Forgotten Children: National Inquiry into Children in Immigration Detention 2014 Summary factsheet July 2015 What was the Inquiry about? On 3 February 2014 the President of the Commission announced a national inquiry into children in immigration detention. The purpose of the Inquiry was to investigate the ways in which life in immigration detention affects the health, well-being and -
Commission - General
28 November 2014Book pageResources
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…