News

Rights and Freedoms

The Forgotten Freedoms – Freedom of Religion

It is a great pleasure to deliver a Blackfriars Lecture. A few weeks ago I gave a speech to the Sydney Institute outlining the approach I plan to take to human rights as the Federal Commissioner titled ‘The Forgotten Freedoms’. In this speech I outlined that I have concerns about the key freedoms of expression, worship, association and property rights. Reasserting them will be the focus of my tenure as Human Rights Commissioner.

29 May, 2014

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

This budget could devastate Indigenous Australians

From cuts to youth welfare to the new Medicare co-payment, the budget will have a profound impact on Indigenous Australians. In an opinion piece published in The Drum, Mick Gooda asks: will the Federal Government speak to Aboriginal leaders before proceeding? I have spoken with many Aboriginal and...

20 May, 2014

Children's Rights

QCEC Student Protection In-Service Day for Catholic School Authorities

It is a real pleasure to be here in Brisbane and to speak to so many people who are all committed to the protection of children and young people across Australia.

16 May, 2014

Changing Hearts, Changing Minds

We all share a responsibility to lead cultural change for inclusion of people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex. Building on the previous work of the Commission, I’ll be using my term as Human Rights Commissioner to ensure these issues are given national attention. It was an honour to be a keynote speaker at the Human Rights Forum of the Asia Pacific Outgames in Darwin.

16 May, 2014

Rights and Freedoms

The Forgotten Freedoms

The Sydney Institute

13 May, 2014

Children's Rights

Playing our part: advocating for children’s rights

In coming here today, we celebrate 40 years of hard work and dedication by the Network of Community Activities, to the promotion of children’s rights in Australia.

6 May, 2014

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

2014 WACOSS Conference

The title of this morning’s session is ‘Recognition of Aboriginal people in the Constitution and the possibility of Aboriginal advancement’. Without a doubt, I see constitutional recognition as a pathway for advancement. I have said again and again, that is it is a real nation building opportunity and the benefits will extend to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians and non-Australians alike. It is a journey that will mark our maturity as an inclusive, just nation.

6 May, 2014

Sex Discrimination

Australian Industry Group National Personnel and Industrial Relations (PIR) Conference

I’ve been asked here today to speak briefly about gender equality in workplaces and about the National Review on Discrimination Related to Pregnancy, Parental Leave and Return to Work, which I am currently conducting.

6 May, 2014

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Australian Politics and Human Rights Lecture

Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you today about politics and human rights. As you would know there is a lot of discussion about human rights in the political debate at the moment, which is a great thing because human rights is not something that many Australian’s feel is relevant to them.

29 April, 2014

Rights and Freedoms

The freedom wars and the future of human rights in Australia

Address to the National Press Club, Canberra

9 April, 2014

LGBTIQ+

SDA Amendments

Australian Public Service Human Rights Network

7 April, 2014

Rights and Freedoms

Queensland Law Society Mandatory Sentencing Policy Paper Launch

Acknowledgements Thank you for your kind introduction. I would like to begin by acknowledging the Turrbal People, the traditional owners of the lands on which we are meeting today. I would also like to acknowledge: The Honourable Justice, Margaret McMurdo AC Queensland Law Society President, Ian...

4 April, 2014

Children's Rights

Juvenile Justice? Ensuring the Opportunity to Thrive

I thought I might begin today by sharing with you the words of a few of the young people I heard from during my national listening tour last year.

25 March, 2014

Children's Rights

Emerging priorities in my role as National Children’s Commissioner

I am honoured to be invited to participate in the Grand Rounds at the Royal Children’s Hospital. What a Grand title indeed, and it makes me feel a little as though I should be appropriately attired in a white coat with stethoscope.

19 March, 2014

Disability Rights

Send Rosie Anne home

For most of us gaol is a theoretical concept. It's somewhere you go if you commit a serious crime. And that's fair enough. Neither of us have committed a crime, but in various roles during our lives we have visited places of detention. But for short times, and knowing we can always walk out. They are...

14 March, 2014