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HREOC offers extraordinary support and the possibility of redress to those pushed to the edges of our society. The rigor and innovation of its staff and the quality policy work, inquiries, reports and educational programs have given visibility to critical social issues and informed our democracy. Australia's history as a global human rights advocate owes much to HREOC's achievements and reputation. Andrea Durbach, Director, Australasian Human Rights Centre

The Australia of 2009 is a proud multicultural nation. It is a nation, culturally, socially and economically formed by the unique combination of its First Nation peoples, its early settlers, and by the many waves of subsequent migration. As such, negotiating diversity and respecting people of all faiths, races, cultures and identities has evolved into an important characteristic of being a member of Australian society.

As a part of the government’s commitments under the Australian Human Rights Framework, there have been extensive consultations to discuss how the current anti-discrimination legislation can be consolidated into one piece of legislation.

THE ROLE THAT ABORIGINAL customary law has, or should have, in the criminal codes and sentencing acts of the Commonwealth, states and territories has been the subject of detailed consideration for some time.1

The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) requires Australia to protect children's rights to cultural identity, language and religion. The most effective way of ensuring enjoyment of these rights is to encourage and allow refugee and asylum-seeking children to participate in cultural and religious activities in the community. The Australian community is well equipped to respond to this need as a wide range of cultural and religious opportunities are readily accessible and this remains a key factor in the maintenance of our multicultural society.

On 14 and 15 February 2008, HREOC held a planning summit at Jones Bay Wharf, Pyrmont Point in Sydney, entitled HREOC21. The 21 refers to the number of years that have passed since HREOC was established by an act of federal Parliament in 1986.

This report covers my final year as the Race Discrimination Commissioner, a position I have occupied for five years alongside my position as the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner.

Dr Ozdowski has made public education on human rights a priority for his term. Other priority areas are the elderly in our ageing society and children. Dr Ozdowski is working to progress the Commission’s 2000 recommendations for alleviating age discrimination, as set out in the report Age matters: a report on age discrimination.

I have pleasure in presenting the Annual Report of the Australian Human Rights Commission for the period ending 30 June 2009, pursuant to section 45 of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act 1986. The report has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of section 70 of the Public Service Act 1999.

This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced by any process without prior written permission from the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission.