President Speech: Flinders University Law School Prize Giving Ceremony 2010

2010 Children's Law Awards

The Hon
Catherine Branson QC, President, Australian Human Rights Commission

16 April 2010

Introduction

First, may I acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we meet,
the Gadigal people of the Eora nation, and pay my respects to their elders, both
past and present.

I would also like to acknowledge:

• Professor Richard Chisholm, former Justice of the Family Court of
  Australia
• Mr Frank Zipfinger, Chairman of ‘Mallesons in the Community’
  Board
• Mr Simon Moran, Chair of the National Children's and Youth Law Centre
  

I am very pleased to be with you to present this year’s
Children’s Law Awards, which recognise those who have worked to advance
the legal rights and interests of young people in Australia.

Promoting respect for children’s rights

Tonight we recognise leading individuals and organisations who are involved
in very important work – that of promoting respect for children’s
rights. Late last year saw the 20^th Anniversary of the Convention on
the Rights of the Child, the international agreement that almost all nations
have agreed to uphold. Many of you here tonight have been working to advance the
rights and interests of children for at least that long.

You have worked to ensure:

• that children are protected from all forms of discrimination
• that the best interests of the child are a primary consideration in all
  actions concerning children
• and that the views of children are respected.
  

These are the guiding principles of the Convention on the Rights of
the Child. Your work ensures that these, as well as many other human rights, are
better protected in our community.

The Australia Human Rights Commission has special responsibility for the
promotion and protection of children’s rights in Australia. We receive
complaints about breaches of children’s rights by the Commonwealth
Government. We hold public inquiries into issues of national importance such as
the National Inquiry into Children in Immigration Detention. We provide advice
and submissions to parliaments and governments regarding laws and policies
affecting children. Finally, we develop human rights education materials for
children and young people.

Late last year the Commission joined a number of other organisations in
calling for a National Children’s Commissioner. We believe that
establishing such an office would raise awareness of the importance of
children’s rights and help to make consideration of children’s best
interests a fundamental part of all government decision-making.

National Human Rights Consultation

Many of the organisations represented here tonight played an active role in
last year’s National Human Rights Consultation. The National
Children’s and Youth Law Centre led a number of organisations in a
submission concerning the protection of children’s rights. Mallesons
Stephens Jaques, our hosts tonight, made a comprehensive submission which
supported the enactment of a national Human Rights Act.

The Australian Human Rights Commission was involved in seeking out the views
of children and young people during the National Consultation and communicating
these to the Consultation Committee. Time and time again, children and young
people demonstrate an instinctive appreciation of the importance of fundamental
human rights. They are often acutely aware of the importance of creating a fair
and inclusive society. They want to participate in creating such a community.

The role of human rights education

However, children and young people throughout Australia could benefit from a
greater understanding of the human rights that Australia has promised to
respect, promote and protect.

This is why the Australian Human Rights Commission welcomed one of the key
recommendations of the National Human Rights Consultation for a significantly
enhanced human rights education program.

We know that educators throughout Australia already teach our children about
values such as democracy, social inclusion and a fair go for all. We
believe that this good work will be enhanced by a more specific focus on human
rights.

The Commission has recently adopted as a priority the theme of
‘Building understanding and respect for rights in our community’. We
are building on our already extensive work in providing human rights education
resources. We will actively seek innovative ways of communicating with children
and young people about the human rights that are most relevant to them.

I am very pleased that innovative education programs feature amongst
tonight’s awards – there is much for us to learn from the work in
which many of you are currently involved.

Conclusion

Finally, I would like to commend and thank everyone who has played a part in
these awards, including the National Children's and Youth Law Centre, Mallesons
Stephens Jaques and the federal Attorney General’s Department.

My hope is that the recognition given tonight will inspire you to continue to
work for the protection of children’s rights, and that your achievements
inspire others to follow your lead. I especially look forward to the day that
some of the young people that you represent take their place in working to
promote the rights of children and young people.

I congratulate all award recipients and those nominated for their outstanding
and selfless achievements.

Thank you.