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Legal14 December 2012Webpage
Federal Discrimination Law: Chapter 3 - The Race Discrimination Act
The RDA was the first Commonwealth unlawful discrimination statute to be enacted and is different in a number of ways from the SDA, DDA and ADA. This is because it is based to a large extent on, and takes important parts of its statutory language from, the International Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination. -
Legal14 December 2012Webpage
1996 GUIDELINES FOR SPECIAL MEASURES UNDER THE SEX DISCRIMINATION ACT 1984
1.1 SHORT TITLE 1.2 PURPOSE 1.3 INTERPRETATION 1.4 DEFINITION 1.5 SCOPE 1.6 THE SEX DISCRIMINATION ACT 1984 The objects of the Sex Discrimination Act Grounds of discrimination Areas where discrimination is unlawful Discrimination and equality -
Legal14 December 2012Webpage
HREOC submission to Inquiry into Immigration Detention in Australia
Recommendation 1: The Migration Act should be amended so that detention occurs only when necessary. This should be the exception not the norm. It must be for a minimal period, be reasonable and be a proportionate means of achieving at least one of the aims outlined in international law (ExComm Conclusion 44). These limited grounds for detention should be clearly prescribed in the Migration Act. -
14 December 2012Book page
Introduction - Social Justice Report 2010
It is with great pleasure that I present my first Social Justice Report (the Report) as the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, having commenced my five-year term on 1 February 2010. -
Legal14 December 2012Webpage
Submission - Ratification of 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage (2008)
The Australian Human Rights and Commission (The Commission) makes this submission to the Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts in its Inquiry into the ratification of the 2003 UNESCO Convention Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage. -
14 December 2012Book page
Social Justice Report 2000: Chapter 2: Reconciliation and human rights
This will be how we assess the success or otherwise of the reconciliation process in years to come. The reconciliation process has the potential to be as significant, and difficult, as the process that led to the joining together of the states into one indissoluble federation in 1901. It challenges us to adapt the structures of society in ways that ensure that first nation peoples can participate fully, be welcomed and have our cultures respected. Integral to this process is an acknowledgement of the wrongs of the past and an acceptance of the need for a restructured relationship. -
Legal14 December 2012Webpage
Commission Submission - ON COMMON DIFFICULTIES FACING ABORIGINAL WITNESSES
The communication difficulties that may be faced by Aboriginal people in the legal system have long been recognised.1 In the Queensland context, these have been well documented by Dr Diana Eades 2 and the Criminal Justice Commission (CJC).3 These issues are also dealt with in detail in the Equal Treatment Benchbook of the Supreme Court of Queensland (‘the Queensland Benchbook’)4 and in Aboriginal English in the Courts: A Handbook, (‘The Queensland Handbook’) prepared by the Queensland Department of Justice and Attorney-General to assist judges and other members of the l -
Age Discrimination9 April 2013Publication
The Road So Far – the Age Discrimination Act 2004 (Cth)
This paper replaces the previous Commission paper - ‘Roadmap to the Age Discrimination Act’. It includes an update on subsequent changes made to the Act. The paper will also look at the ways in which the Act is used by members of the public in exercising their rights, specifically in relation to making complaints and seeking temporary exemptions. -
14 December 2012Book page
HREOC Report No. 35
Pursuant to section 11(1)(f) and 20(1) of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act 1986 (Cth), I attach a report of my inquiry into a complaint against the Commonwealth of Australia (Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs) and GSL (Australia) Pty Ltd. I have found that acts done on behalf of the Commonwealth were contrary to the human rights of the complainant as provided for in articles 7 and 10 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. -
14 December 2012Book page
Bringing them Home - Chapter 7
Following the founding of the Swan River Colony in 1829 relations between the British settlers and local Indigenous peoples in Western Australia became characterised by conflict. As a result of fierce fighting, -
Disability Rights14 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. -
Legal14 December 2012Webpage
Commission submissions: Khafaji
The Commonwealth relies upon Australia's response to the UNHRC's decision in A v Australia.(34) Nothing flows from that response. The UNHRC hears individual complaints of violations of the ICCPR (called "communications") under the First Optional Protocol to the ICCPR. (35) Australia is a party to the First Optional Protocol. (36) The decisions or "views" of the UNHRC regarding those communications do not constitute legally binding decisions in international law. (37) However, as the UNHRC has noted: -
14 December 2012Book page
National Inquiry into Children in Immigration Detention - Background Paper 8: Deprivation of Liberty and Humane Detention
In accordance with the general principle stated at Guideline 2 and the UNHCR [1] Guidelines on Refugee Children, minors who are asylum seekers should not be detained… -
14 December 2012Book page
Chapter 2 – An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander human rights protection framework for the 21st century: Social Justice Report 2008
All Australians are equally entitled to enjoy the rights, benefits and responsibilities of citizenship. In our society, every person should feel free from discrimination of any kind and have the right to share in the nation's land, resources and wealth. The entitlements and freedoms of all people are recognised in human rights instruments, many of which have been freely signed and ratified by Australia, and in some instances are now a part of Australian law. -
Legal14 December 2012Webpage
COAG Review of Counter-Terrorism Legislation
Division 104 of Part 5.3 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth) provides for the making of control orders. A control order is an order issued by a court (either the Federal Court, Family Court or Federal Magistrates Court), at the request of a member of the Australian Federal Police (AFP), to allow obligations, prohibitions and restrictions to be imposed on a person, for the purpose of protecting the public from a terrorist act.[8] -
Rights and Freedoms14 December 2012Speech
USING THE LAW TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE Graeme Innes AM (2007)
Scarlett Finney was only six when she saw the brochures for the Hills Grammar School, set in park-like grounds in Sydney's outer suburbs. She indicated her keenness to attend "the school in the bush". Her parents were prepared to pay the fees, and saw the setting and curriculum as providing her with a great education. But the school refused her enrolment due to the fact that she had spina bifida, and sometimes used a wheelchair [1]. -
Legal14 December 2012Webpage
Electoral and Referendum Amendment Bill 2005
1. The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (the Commission) welcomes the opportunity to make this submission to the Senate Finance and Public Administration Committee on the Electoral and Referendum Amendment (Electoral Integrity and Other Measures) Bill 2005 (the Bill). -
14 December 2012Book page
Native Title Report 2008 - Chapter 7
Over the millennia, Indigenous peoples have developed a close and unique connection with the lands and environments in which they live. They have established distinct systems of knowledge, innovation and practices relating to the uses and management of biological diversity on these lands and environments. -
14 December 2012Book page
HREOC Annual Report 2003-2004 : Chapter 4: Complaint Handling Section
The Complaint Handling Section (CHS) is responsible, through the President, for investigating and conciliating complaints lodged under federal anti-discrimination and human rights law. The CHS also delivers a Complaint Information Service. Accordingly, the CHS plays a key role in fulfilling the Commission's objective of delivering an Australian society in which human rights are protected. -
14 December 2012Book page
2008 Immigration detention report - Summary of Observations following the Inspection of Mainland Immigration Detention Facilities
This report contains a summary of observations by the Australian Human Rights Commissioner, Graeme Innes AM, and staff of the Australian Human Rights Commission (the Commission) following visits to Australia’s immigration detention facilities, and to people in community detention, between June and September 2008. The contents of the report are based on direct observations made during the visits, and on discussions with staff and immigration detainees.