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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. -
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: -
14 December 2012Book page
Social Justice Report 2003: Appendix two: The Council of Australian Governments’ whole-of-government community trials initiative
This appendix provides a summary of the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) whole-of-government community trials initiative and its implementation in each state and territory. [1] -
14 December 2012Book page
HREOC Social Justice Report 2002: International developments in the recognition of the rights of Indigenous peoples
The circumstances of Indigenous peoples were virtually invisible at the United Nations approximately thirty years ago. Very little attention had been devoted to their situation and their claims were by and large unheard in international fora. Since the early 1970s, however, Indigenous peoples have made significant inroads towards the recognition of their rights and acceptance of their legitimate place within the international community. The results, while incomplete, have been nothing short of extraordinary. -
14 December 2012Book page
Chapter 2: Lateral violence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities - Social Justice Report 2011
Last year I set out my priorities for my term as Social Justice Commissioner.[1] My priorities revolve around the central idea that to address the disadvantage faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and build a more reconciled nation, we need to develop stronger and deeper relationships: -
14 December 2012Book page
HREOC Social Justice Report 2002: Chapter 3 - National progress towards reconcilation in 2002 - an equitable partnership?
a) A minimalist response to symbolic issues b) The perceived divisiveness of self-determination c) An emphasis on perceived areas of agreement d) Misrepresenting progress towards practical reconciliation -
14 December 2012Book page
Social Justice Report 2004 : Chapter 3 : Implementing new arrangements for the administration of Indigenous affairs
Part 1: What are the new arrangements for the administration of Indigenous affairs? -
14 December 2012Book page
Social Justice Report 2007 - Chapter 2: Indigenous communities dealing with family violence and abuse
Family violence and abuse occurs at unacceptable rates in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Indigenous) communities. We have heard many tragic stories of women, children and young people who have experienced devastating sexual abuse and family violence. It is a scourge that is causing damage and trauma among Indigenous communities, to our women and children, and to the fabric of Indigenous cultures. -
14 December 2012Book page
Social Justice Report 2000: Chapter 3: International scrutiny of Australia's Indigenous Affairs policies
In the past year Australia's compliance with international human rights obligations has been under scrutiny by United Nations human rights treaty committees through consideration of Australia's periodic reports under four treaties. [1] Much of this attention has focused on issues relating to Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders. This chapter focuses on the dialogue between the Australian government and the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (the Committee or the CERD), which took place in March 2000. -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice25 March 2019Publication
UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2007)
The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) was adopted by the General Assembly on Thursday, 13 September 2007. The Declaration is the most comprehensive international instrument on the rights of Indigenous peoples. -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice14 June 2024Speech
4th National Indigenous Empowerment Summit
‘Framing Indigenous empowerment with human rights: using the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples for real change’ Wednesday 12 June 2024 Good Morning All My name is Katie Kiss. I am a proud Kaanju, Biri/Widi woman from North Queensland. I was born and raised on the lands of the Darumbal peoples in Rockhampton, in Central Queensland. Before I begin today, I pay my respects to the ... -
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. -
8 December 2020Book page
Part 3: Living and belonging
Learn about the Wiyi Yani U Thangani project, which works to improve health, housing and education outcomes for Indigenous women and girls in Australia. -
14 December 2012Book page
Social Justice Report 2007 - Chapter 3: The Northern Territory 'Emergency Response' intervention
On 21 June 2007, the Australian Government announced a ‘national emergency response to protect Aboriginal children in the Northern Territory’ from sexual abuse and family violence.[1] This has become known as the ‘NT intervention’ or the ‘Emergency Response’. The catalyst for the measures was the release of Report of the Northern Territory Board of Inquiry into the Protection of Aboriginal Children from Sexual Abuse, titled Ampe Akelyernemane Meke Mekarle: ‘Little Children are Sacred’. -
14 December 2012Book page
Social Justice Report 2001: Chapter 5: Juvenile diversionary schemes and Indigenous people
On 27 July 2000, the Commonwealth government and the Northern Territory Government signed an agreement for the establishment of a juvenile pre-court diversion scheme in the Northern Territory (NT). This agreement arose specifically as a response to the continued criticism of the NT’s mandatory minimum imprisonment laws and their impact on juveniles and Indigenous people. By establishing the pre-court juvenile diversionary scheme, the NT has belatedly joined most other states and territories in Australia in providing such options for dealing with juvenile offenders. -
15 July 2014Book page
Chapter 1: How far have we come? Looking back on 20 years of the Social Justice Commissioner role
1.1 Introduction This year marks 20 years since the establishment of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner (Social Justice Commissioner) role under the Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986 (Cth). When I first started in this position I was asked if any of the previous Commissioners had left any words or notes of advice. I answered them ‘no, but they all left ... -
14 December 2012Book page
Social Justice Report 2003: Chapter 3: Indigenous participation in decision making – Transforming the relationship between government and Indigenous peoples
The twin pillars of the government's approach to Indigenous policy in 2003 continued to be practical reconciliation, with its emphasis on service delivery in core areas of disadvantage, and mutual obligation, with its emphasis on reciprocity and individual responsibility. Through both of these policies, the government has identified moving Indigenous people beyond welfare dependency and enabling Indigenous participation in program delivery and design as key features of its approach. -
14 December 2012Book page
Native Title Report 2004 : Annexure 2 : Promoting Economic and Social Development through Native Title
...the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner report on the operation of the [NTA] and its effect on the exercise and enjoyment of human rights of Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders. -
Commission – General4 March 2024E-bulletin (Monthly)
March 2024: Commission news | President's letter
Commissioner June Oscar AO finishes her term as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Social Justice Commissioner early next month. Friday 8 March marks International Women’s Day, and Sex Discrimination Commissioner Anna Cody will attend the 68th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women in New York. -
14 December 2012Book page
Social Justice Report 2003: Chapter 4: Responding to petrol sniffing on the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Lands: A case study
In September 2002, the South Australian Coroner brought down his findings in the inquests into the deaths of Kunmanara[1] Ken (who died on 3 August 1999), Kunmanara Hunt (who died on 27 January 2001) and Kunmanara Thompson (who died on 26 June 2001). Each of these young Anangu was a chronic petrol sniffer (they had been sniffing for at least ten years) in their mid to late twenties living on the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Lands (AP Lands). All three were found to have died as a result of inhalation of petrol fumes.[2]