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Disability Rights
14 December 2012SpeechMatt Laffan Memorial Address (2009)
MATT LAFFAN: I once used to say to some mates of mine that all I really wanted was 24 hours without a disability. I just wanted 24 hours so that I could do certain things. Since then, I've got a little greedy and now I want one week. And during that one week there'd be hell to pay, because Sydney just would not be big enough. I think the night club scene would be in a world of trouble, because dancing is something I'd really like to do. There'd certainly be a rugby match I'd have to get involved with. I'd go running with the old man. -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
14 December 2012SpeechSite navigation
Thank you Sharron for your introduction, and thank you Uncle Lewis O’Brien for your warm welcome to country. And congratulations to the Taikurtinna Dancers for a great performance and oration. -
14 December 2012Book page
Annual Report 1999-2000: Privacy
I have pleasure in presenting the twelfth Annual Report on the operations of the Privacy Act 1988 for the year 1999-2000. The year past has been a challenging and productive year for the Office. -
Commission – General
14 December 2012SpeechPresident Speech: QUT Law Graduation Ceremony Occasional Address
Acting Chancellor Mr Stephen Keim SC, Vice Chancellor Professor Peter Coaldrake, Professor the Hon. Michael Lavarch, Executive Dean of Law, other members of the official party, Faculty staff, graduates and your families and friends. -
Disability Rights
14 December 2012Speech
Using the Disability Convention for practical change (2009)
Some of us here were sitting in a stuffy conference room in the UN headquarters in New York when the Working Group completed its drafting of the convention. It was only stuffy because - in true UN style - we had exceeded our time limit for the session, the interpreters had gone home, and the air-conditioning had been turned off. But for most of us, these disadvantages paled in the excitement of what we had achieved. And that excitement was amplified as we watched the General Assembly confirm our work. -
14 December 2012Book page
Appendices3 - Annual Report 2009-2010: Australian Human Rights Commission
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Asylum Seekers and Refugees
8 January 2014PublicationA last resort? National Inquiry into Children in Immigration Detention
This is an important report. It deals with our treatment of children in the most recent wave of boat people seeking refuge and a better life on our shores. It does so in the knowledge that there is a tension created by the community expectation that the Government will defend Australia's security while simultaneously upholding individual rights - the notion of the 'fairgo' for all. The report also challenges the argument that family unity within immigration detention centres is the only way that children's 'best interests' can be protected. -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
14 December 2012Speech
Role of social workers as human rights workers with Indigenous people
Thank you to the Australian Catholic University for inviting me to speak today. As you no doubt know, I am a social worker by training , graduating in 1978, so it is wonderful to have an opportunity to address you. It is great to see so many upcoming social workers here today, as well as a number of you who have a wealth of experience and do so much good in our communities. It’s a tough job at the coal face. One that you often do in difficult circumstances, with little support, not to mention little money! -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
17 July 2015Publication
Summary factsheet - The Forgotten Children: National Inquiry into Children in Immigration Detention 2014
<h2>The Forgotten Children: National Inquiry into Children in Immigration Detention 2014</h2> <h2>Summary factsheet<br> &nbsp;</h2> <h4>July 2015</h4> <hr> <p>&nbsp;</p> -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
7 December 2023Opinion piece
Hasty detainee laws raise human rights concerns
Read an opinion piece from Australia's Human Rights Commissioner Lorraine Finlay raising concerns about the passage of new laws responding to the fallout from the recent NZYQ High Court decision. -
Commission – General
14 December 2012Speech
President speech: Australian Psychological Society (Sydney Branch) AGM
I would like to begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet, the Gadigal people of the Eora nation, and pay my respects to their elders, past and present. -
Disability Rights
14 December 2012Speech
Speech to Employers Network on Disability International Day of People with Disability cocktail party (2009)
In the United States, 54 years ago today, Rosa Parks was arrested. Rosa Parks was a black woman, arrested for refusing to sit at the back of a bus. It's appalling to think this occurred. It's even more appalling that 54 years later in Australia, many people with disability can't even get on the bus. -
14 December 2012Book page
A Bad Business - Launch Speech
Media Pack Index | Media Release | Launch Speech by Pru Goward | Speech by Nareen Young | Case Studies Fact Sheets: Key Findings | The Complaints Process | Legal Definition of Sexual Harassment | Cost to Employers -
14 December 2012Book page
Bringing them Home - Chapter 18
Indigenous mental health is finally on the national agenda. As participants in the National Mental Health Strategy, States and Territories acknowledge the importance of the issue. Some of the effects of removal including loss and grief, reduced parenting skills, child and youth behavioural problems and youth suicide are increasingly recognised. -
Rights and Freedoms
14 December 2012SpeechKeynote Address CEO Sleepout
Thank you for the opportunity to speak with all of you, and sleep with some of you. As you will have noticed, Vinnies was good enough to let my eleven-year-old daughter Rachel join me as my guide tonight, and she'll be the only one getting any of my cuddles. The rest of you have to make your own arrangements. -
Disability Rights
14 December 2012Speech
Disability Action Plans with State Government Departments
I want to start, though, by talking for a few minutes about the broader legislative context under the Disability Discrimination Act and about what all of this is for in terms of achieving access and inclusion. -
14 December 2012Book page
Chapter 1: A cause for cautious optimism: The year in review - Social Justice Report 2011
As I reflect on the events that have taken place during the reporting period from 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2011, I see cause for optimism whilst also acknowledging there are still some areas that remain a concern. Over the last year we have reached some major milestones. For instance, we have seen the election of the two co-chairs and a board to the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples (National Congress), and we are also now engaged in a conversation with the Australian people about how we go about recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in our Constitution. -
Commission – General
14 December 2012Opinion piece
Take judges out of human rights process (2009)
Predictably, opponents of a human rights act reacted swiftly to Mr McHugh's comments, misrepresenting concerns about specific aspects of one model of a human rights act as a reason to reject any such act. -
Disability Rights
14 December 2012Speech
"Healthy Solutions for Children: Making the Right Choice"
I would like to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we stand, the Eora People, and pay my respects to their elders both past and present, and in particular, Aunty Gloria. -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
14 December 2012Speech
Minerals Week 2008
I’d also like to thank the Minerals Council of Australia for inviting me to speak today and I acknowledge all distinguished guests and participants.