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Disability Rights
14 December 2012SpeechPresentation of Victorian Local Government Accessible Communities Awards
Most of you here today would know that it is not trite to say that local government is the closest level of government to our communities, and as such plays a key role in building and reinforcing the fabric of those communities. -
14 December 2012Book page
A last resort? - Summary Guide: Unaccompanied children in detention
The Convention on the Rights of the Child states that unaccompanied children - particularly those seeking asylum - need special protection and assistance. Where unaccompanied children have a legal guardian, their best interests must be the guardian's 'basic concern'. -
14 December 2012Book page
Commission Website: National Inquiry into Children in Immigration Detention
Respect for the human person entails respect for the rights that flow from his [sic] dignity as a creature. These rights are prior to society and must be recognised by it. They are the basis of the moral legitimacy of every authority; by flouting them, or refusing to recognise them in its positive legislation, a society undermines its own moral legitimacy … Catechism of the Catholic Church, n 1930 -
Disability Rights
14 December 2012Speech
Meeting with National Disability Advisory Council
You might have noticed that somehow governments never seem to want the same long term commitment from Human Rights Commissioners. In fact, they often seem quite happy to see us arrive at the end of a term of office ... . -
14 December 2012Book page
National Inquiry into Children in Immigration Detention
As a former teacher at the Woomera IRPC, I was able to witness at first hand, the conditions of detention and the resulting outcomes for Asylum Seekers. -
Legal
14 December 2012WebpageSubmission to the Review of ATSIC
This submission is made by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner on behalf of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission. [1] It responds to the public discussion paper titled 'Review of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission - June 2003'. -
Legal
14 December 2012Webpage
Federal Discrimination Law: Chapter 8 - Costs Awards
There are no specific provisions relating to costs in unlawful discrimination proceedings before the Federal Magistrates Court (‘FMC’) and Federal Court. The courts have a general discretion to order costs under the provisions of the Federal Court Act 1976 (Cth) (‘the Federal Court Act’) and the Federal Magistrates Act 1999 (Cth) (‘the Federal Magistrates Act’).[1] -
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 groups, unions, academics and relevant government departments. As well I undertook research to learn more about the barriers to employment facing mature age workers. -
14 December 2012Book page
Law Society Journal 2009: What will constitute a legitimate interference with rights?
A recent decision of the full Federal Court in Bropho v State of Western Australia[1] has created the opportunity to reconsider the operation of s 10 of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth). Section 10(1) of the RDA is unique in discrimination law around the country. It is concerned with the operation and effect of laws rather than with making the actions of individuals unlawful. -
Legal
14 December 2012Webpage
Inquiry into the Commonwealth Commissioner for Children and Young People Bill 2010 (2010)
The Australian Human Rights Commission (the Commission) makes this submission to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee in its inquiry into the Commonwealth Commissioner for Children and Young People Bill 2010. This submission considers the broad issues raised by the Bill. It does not make a detailed analysis of each proposed provision. -
14 December 2012Book page
Stop the Traffic 2 Conference - Closing Address by Pru Goward (1999)
1. Trafficking in Persons: A gender and Rights Perspective Briefing Kit, UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM-East and Southeast Asia Regional Office, Bangkok) and the UN Inter-agency Project on Human Trafficking in the Mekong Sub-region. -
Legal
14 December 2012Webpage
Commission Submission Amicus Curiae - AB v Registrar, Births Deaths and Marriages
The Sex Discrimination Commissioner was granted leave on 2 May 2006 to appear as amicus curiae at the hearing of these proceedings and make submissions on the following matters: -
14 December 2012Book page
Commission Website: National Inquiry into Children in Immigration Detention
As Commissioner for Children in Tasmania, my Office is set up under Part 9 of the Children, Young Persons and their Families Act 1997 ("the Act"). The Act is informed by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, and has been in operation in Tasmania since 1st July 2000. -
Disability Rights
14 December 2012Speech
Speech - iPhone or Trombone: Age or Disability Don't Have to be Barriers (2012)
Alan used to work as a civil engineer, and is a trombone player with two orchestras and two bands. He has competed in the Australian Band Championships for the last three years. He sold his soils laboratory to 'retire', and has never looked back. He still works part-time in soil testing, but as well as trombone playing he is a volunteer in a Rotary shop, walks 30-40 kilometers weekly, won a silver medal in the 10 km Road Race in the Australian Masters Games 2012, and completed a novel for pre-teens called 'Alex', designed to raise awareness about healthy lifestyles. -
14 December 2012Book page
National Inquiry into Children in Immigration Detention
As a former teacher at the Woomera IRPC, I was able to witness at first hand, the conditions of detention and the resulting outcomes for Asylum Seekers. -
14 December 2012Book page
Resolving discrimination and human rights issues - Annual Report 2009-2010: Australian Human Rights Commission
We can also investigate complaints about alleged breaches of human rights by the Commonwealth and its agencies, as well as discrimination in employment based on a person’s sexual preference, criminal record, trade union activity, political opinion, religion or social origin. -
14 December 2012Book page
Chapter 4: Beyond the Apology - an agenda for healing: Social Justice Report 2008
On 13 February 2008 Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, on behalf of the Australian Parliament, made a historic and long overdue national Apology to the Stolen Generations. With eloquence and emotion, Prime Minister Rudd said what so many Australians have wanted to say, and what so many Indigenous peoples have needed to hear: -
Disability Rights
14 December 2012Speech
NSW DET Teacher Consultants conference:Keynote Speech
Read a keynote speech on the inclusivity of people with a disability at a NSW Department of Education and Training teachers conference. -
Commission – General
14 December 2012SpeechPresentation at the Governor’s Leadership Foundation Forum
HREOC is a statutory body independent of government. While our main function is to promote an understanding and acceptance of human rights in Australia, we are also charged with the responsibilities of investigating, and attempting to conciliate complaints of unlawful discrimination under the federal Racial Discrimination Act 1975, the Sex Discrimination Act 1984, the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and the Age Discrimination Act 2004.1 HREOC also has specific responsibilities to report annually to Parliament on the enjoyment of human rights of Indigenous Australians. -
Complaint Information Service14 December 2012Publication
ADR as a tool for social change: a discussion (2008)
Human rights and anti-discrimination law in Australia, as in many countries in the Asia Pacific, provides for complaints about discrimination and violations of human rights to be resolved by conciliation. The use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in this context has been criticised. In particular, it has been claimed that the individualised form of the complaint process, coupled with the confidential nature of conciliation outcomes, restricts the social reformative potential of human rights and anti-discrimination law.