Waleed Aly joins line-up for landmark human rights forum

Presenter, journalist and academic Waleed Aly is among a raft of talent who have just been announced as speakers and panellists for the Free + Equal Human Rights Conference during this year’s Vivid Sydney festival. 

Mr Aly will join the line-up for the Rights On Time show on the evening of Thursday 6 June in the Hyatt Regency Grand Ballroom where he’ll panel through time with ‘sleek geek’ Adam Spencer and some of Australia’s favourite legal eagles, rights advocates, and comedy stars as they try to save the future from rights gone wrong.

Other speakers and panellists who have just been announced include: 

• Distinguished discrimination lawyer and women’s rights advocate Chris Ronalds AO AM SC
• Award-winning human rights lawyer Kate Eastman AM SC
• National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services CEO Karly Warner
• Amnesty International Refugee Rights Campaigner Zaki Haidari
• Children’s participation academic Prof. Amanda Third
• Former Victorian Attorney-General and Deputy Premier Rob Hulls
• Gender equality academic Assoc. Prof. Ramona Vijeyarasa
• Human rights lawyer and academic Assoc. Prof. Sarah Moulds
• Disability advocates Dr Dinesh Palipana and Hannah Diviney
• Youth advocates Seleena Blackley, Anjali Sharma and Kupakwashe Matangira
• LGBTIQ+ rights advocate Ghassan Kassisieh

Presented by the Australian Human Rights Commission, the Free + Equal Human Rights Conference will take place over 6 and 7 June at the Hyatt Regency in Sydney and will focus on revitalising Australia’s human rights framework, including efforts to introduce an Australian Human Rights Act. The conference will include 12 engaging sessions and events featuring a diverse line-up of more than 50 eminent experts, thought leaders, social justice advocates and community heroes.

Hundreds of delegates from across Australia’s human rights, civil society, legal, justice, government and business sectors are set to attend the event at which the Federal Government is expected to respond to recent reviews by the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights and the Australian Human Rights Commission into revitalising our country’s approach to human rights, including a proposal from the Commission for an Australian Human Rights Act. Find out more: www.freeandequal.com.au

Conference delegates will learn about the benefits and opportunities a Human Rights Act will deliver as well as how to activate community support and engagement for this long overdue reform. Sessions will also focus on other key human rights-related issues including: enhancing Australia's anti-discrimination laws; preventing racism; improving children’s rights and youth justice; exploring the intersection of business, technology and human rights; and marking 40 years of Australia’s ground-breaking Sex Discrimination Act.

Commission President Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher said: “An Australian Human Rights Act would be a major reform that would have a significant impact on Australia’s legal, justice, government, civil society and business sectors, so understanding the trajectory of its introduction is vital for people working across these areas.

“Delegates will also be able to get the latest information on a range of other key human rights and anti-discrimination issues, ensuring they come away informed, connected and activated in new and exciting ways which will help them develop their professional practice and personal advocacy.”

Early bird discounts of 10% are available on all conference registrations purchased by 5pm 14 April 2024.  

Free + Equal Human Rights Conference 

• Thu 6 June, 5pm – 8:30pm + Fri 7 June, 8.30am – 5.30pm
• Hyatt Regency, Sydney
• Registrations from $325 - $650
• BOOK NOW: www.freeandequal.com.au

Rights On Time

• Thu 6 June, 7pm – 8.30pm
• Hyatt Regency Grand Ballroom, Sydney
• Tickets from $70 - $150
• BOOK NOW: www.freeandequal.com.au

ENDS | Media contact: media@humanrights.gov.au or +61 457 281 897