Finalists for 2018 Government Award revealed

Four finalists have been selected from a diverse range of nominations for the 2018 Human Rights Awards’ Government Award.

This year marks the first time our Awards recognise Government as a stand-alone category.

“There are many Government groups and individuals helping others overcome discrimination and isolation and building tolerance and respect in the community and further afield,” said Australian Human Rights Commission President, Professor Rosalind Croucher.

The finalists are;

City of Ballarat

Ballarat introduced a Cultural Diversity Strategy in 2009 to help overcome racism and demonstrate the benefits of having a diverse community. The Strategy includes the development of education and employment pathways as well as a multicultural ambassador. Ballarat is a Refugee Welcome Zone and actively combats racism though valuing and celebrating diversity.

Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation

The Commonwealth Games Corporation introduced a human rights policy for the Games held on the Gold Coast this year. The 2018 Games were the first major sporting event in Australia to include a Reconciliation Action Plan. Also making history this year, the Games were the largest integrated para-athlete program in the history of the Commonwealth Games.

Charter Education Project

The Charter Education Project (CEP) aims to make human rights a part of the everyday business of the Victorian government. The program has delivered training to nearly 5,000 public sector workers. The CEP is recognised for its significant impact in increasing awareness of human rights in the public sector.

Professor Peter Shergold

Professor Shergold has made an outstanding positive impact on the lives of asylum seekers, refugees and migrants in his role as the NSW Coordinator-General for Refugee Resettlement. Through the establishment of an employment support program in Western Sydney and the Illawarra, nearly 500 refugees, asylum seekers and migrants have found employment while another 1,400 are receiving vocation training.

Media contact: Sarah Bamford 0417 957 525 Sarah.Bamford@humanrights.gov.au