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Children's Rights
19 April 2021Media ReleaseGovernments must prioritise raising the age
National Children’s Commissioner, Anne Hollonds and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, June Oscar AO have urged all Australian governments to raise the age of criminal responsibility as a matter of priority. A report commissioned by a meeting of Attorneys-General in July last year recommended that all jurisdictions raise the age and ensure younger teenagers… -
Children's Rights
9 September 2022Speech
Every child, in every community, needs a fair go. Shining a light on supporting children to grow up safe and supported
His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC, Governor-General of Australia, and Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley. Thank you for launching National Child Protection Week 2022 and for hosting us today. I would like to acknowledge the traditional owners of this land, the Ngunnawal people, and pay my respect to their elders, past, present and emerging, and to all Aboriginal and… -
Rights and Freedoms
29 May 2024Opinion pieceIn silence, anti-Semitism and racism flourishes
This opinion piece by Human Rights Commissioner Lorraine Finlay appeared in The Nightly on Wednesday 27 March 2024. The foundation of universal human rights lies in recognising the inherent dignity and equal rights of every single human being. Human rights can’t be applied selectively. Every Australian, regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, or any other distinction, has the… -
Sex Discrimination
13 March 2024SpeechKey challenges and priorities
Learn about the key challenges and priorities for the office of the Sex Discrimination Commissioner, particularly in relation to the recent Respect@Work reforms. -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
11 July 2024SpeechEMRIP - The impacts of First Nations engagement with justice systems
Statement from Katie Kiss at the 17th EMRIP session which advises on Indigenous rights and participation. -
Age Discrimination
13 March 2024SpeechA Human Rights Act and older people
OPAN National Older Persons Reference Group Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM FAAL FRSA FACLM(Hon) Abstract The presentation will focus on the Commission’s proposed model for a Human Rights Act in Australia and how it may support the rights of older people. Introduction [Thank you to organisers….] I would like to begin my contribution by acknowledging the traditional custodians of this… -
Children's Rights
17 January 2019Speech
Megan Mitchell at the National Press Club
I would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land we gather on today, and across Australia, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and future. Thanks to UNICEF for the opportunity to share the moment in which both our reports are submitted, and Anne Sherry in particular. Congratulations also to UNICEF and the Child Rights Taskforce on this fabulous report. When Australia… -
Children's Rights
23 November 2017Speech
13th Australasian Injury Prevention Network Conference
The 13 th Australasian Injury Prevention Network Conference Date: Monday, 13 th November 2017 1. Acknowledgments Good morning everyone. Thank you Rebecca for the introduction. It’s a pleasure to be invited to present at this year’s Australasian Injury Prevention Network Conference. I wish to start by acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land we are gathering on here in beautiful … -
Disability Rights
13 January 2016Opinion pieceTime to regulate housing accessibility
With the scale, complexity and massive costs of recent reforms in disability services and aged care, we need constant monitoring and patience as the changes are put into place. According to what I hear and see this is all happening pretty well, in general. There is however a big shortcoming, a gap that could undermine the potential success of both the NDIS and the Aged Care programs. Both of… -
LGBTIQ+
27 August 2015Opinion pieceGays and Parents Both Have Rights
School should be a safe space for everyone to develop and learn. No ifs. No buts. Yesterday a media storm developed around the decision of Burwood Girls High School deciding to celebrate ‘Wear it Purple’ day and screening the film ‘Gayby Baby’. The two are quite distinct issues. Wear it Purple day is designed by school aged young people predominantly for school aged young people. Wearing… -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
4 August 2023Webpage
Support services - Voice referendum
Racism directed towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is likely to continue increasing in the lead up to the referendum on an Indigenous Voice to Parliament. We've collated a document with formal support services and ways to report incidents of racism. -
Children's Rights
12 July 2019Speech
Children’s Rights in Australia: looking back and moving forward
Good morning everyone. I’d like to begin today by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land, the Widjabul people of the Bundjalung nation. I acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make. I also pay my respects to elders past, present and emerging. I’d also like to thank Professor Anne Graham for inviting me to speak to you today. And I also want to … -
LGBTIQ+
3 July 2018Webpage
LGBT older people
Older people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans or gender diverse or intersex can face particular issues later in life, especially in accessing safe and inclusive aged care services. The Commission has highlighted some of these concerns in previous reports.* The Resilient Individuals: Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity & Intersex Rights report raised the following concerns: Older… -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
14 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 … -
Children's Rights
14 April 2015Speech
Embedding children’s rights into children’s services
YMCA 2015 National Children’s Services Conference Moonee Valley Racing Club, Victoria Saturday 21 March 2015 Introduction Good morning and thank you for the introduction. I would like to start by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet today, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation and pay my respects to their elders past and present. I’d like to thank YMCA for… -
Commission – General
14 December 2012SpeechPresident Speech: Current issues in human rights (2011)
I would like to begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet, the Larrakia peoples. I pay my respects to their elders both past and present. -
Children's Rights
7 July 2017Speech
Reaching the highest standard of health for adolescents
Speech given at the Australian Association for Adolescent Health 2017 Conference Date: 10am - 11am, Thursday 6 July 2017 Introduction Good morning. It’s a pleasure to be here to speak about the work I have done as Australia’s first National Children’s Commissioner. Before I begin, I would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land we gather on today, and pay my respects to Elders… -
Education25 February 2015Webpage
Face the facts: Children's Rights
Learn how Australia signed the Convention on the Rights of the Child to help protect vulnerable groups of children and young people who are at risk. -
Children's Rights
27 October 2017Speech
Children’s rights to safety and to a holistic education
Good morning everyone and thank you Katharine O’Donnell, ANZELA National President, for inviting me to be part of what I hear has been a stimulating event to date and to present the Dr Ann Shorten Memorial Lecture. I too would like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we meet today, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, and pay my respects to elders past, present… -
LGBTIQ+
14 December 2012Webpage
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Equality
Everyone has the right to be respected and safe,[2] regardless of their race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age.[3] Violence, harassment and bullying are violations of these fundamental human rights.