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Children's Rights
10 August 2017SpeechVoices in Action: Empowering young people for positive change
Speech given at the CREATE Biannual Conference Date: 9.25am, 10 August 2017 at the International Convention Centre, Sydney Introduction Thank you to CREATE Foundation for the invitation to provide an opening address. I too would like to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we meet, the Gadigal people of the Eora nation, and pay my respects to elders past and present… -
Legal
14 December 2012WebpageSAGE: Submission to Inquiry into Aboriginal Customary Law in NT
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner has also made a submission to this inquiry. To access that submission click here. -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
14 December 2012Speech'Still Riding for Freedom’ (2008)
I acknowledge the traditional owners of the land where we are meeting tonight, the Gadigal peoples of the Eora nation. I pay my respects to your elders and to those who have come before us. And thank you to Chicka Madden for your generous welcome to country. Chicka and I spent a term together on the Board of Aboriginal Hostels. -
Race Discrimination
19 May 2020WebpageThe Moveable Feast – Australia and race hate as experienced in the lifetime as an observer
Learn about the experiences of a lifetime observer of race discrimination in this thought-provoking speech by Thomas Keneally AO. -
14 December 2012Book page
National Inquiry into Children in Immigration Detention
CARAD is a group of volunteers, supporters and donors formed from January 2000, in an attempt to meet some of the range of essential and urgent needs of refugees who reach Perth, following assessment of their claim while in a detention centre. We have now met in excess of 2,000 refugees, not all of whom remain in WA, and have provided them with compassionate, practical assistance. We estimate… -
Rights and Freedoms
14 December 2012Opinion pieceHuman Rights and the War against Terrorism (2003)
"A system of tyranny, the most galling, the most horrible, the most undisguised in all its parts and attributes that has stained the page of history or disgraced the annals of the world." British Prime Minister William Pitt, 10 November 1797, speech to the House of Commons concerning France under the government of the Directory. -
Employers11 February 2015Webpage
A step-by-step guide to preventing discrimination in recruitment
Learn how to prevent discrimination in recruitment with this step-by-step guide. -
14 December 2012Book page
Human rights - what do I need to know? (2008)
All Australians have human rights. Human rights are universal: they are for everyone, everywhere, everyday. Human rights are based on values such as freedom, equality and dignity and seek to protect our quality of life. -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
30 January 2014Opinion piece
We need to fix the Constitution, says Social Justice Commissioner
Recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the nation’s Constitution is a waste of time, 2UE Drive host Justin Smith recently argued. There are many things the Constitution doesn’t recognise, he said, the document is dull, and we would be better off if we paid attention instead to the words we use every day. I agree with Mr Smith on one point: the Constitution isn’t a page… -
Children's Rights
11 November 2014Speech
Child Protection: Every Child’s Right
Megan MitchellNational Children’s Commissioner National Child Protection WeekBreakfast LaunchTuesday 9 September Introduction Thank you, Charlie and Zac, and good morning everyone. I’m delighted to be here this morning to help launch National Child Protection Week and to present the NAPCAN Play Your Part Award. Can I start by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we are… -
14 December 2012Book page
Native Title Report 2001: Chapter Two: Resourcing Equality
The recognition and protection of native title and the participation of Indigenous people in decisions affecting their land are critical priorities within a human rights framework. -
Legal
14 December 2012Speech
Law Seminar 2007: Stolen Wages - The Way Forward by Robynne Quiggin
I'd like to begin by acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we meet, the Gadigal people. I would also like to acknowledge elders and colleagues here today, Senator Trood, Johnathon Hunyor, and to thank President Von Doussa for inviting me here today. -
Disability Rights
14 December 2012SpeechRecognition matters: Human rights and the rights of carers
For thousands of years, Aboriginal groups, who might spend much of their time living far apart in the expanses of this land, pursuing separately the business of survival, would come together at times to meet, to trade, sometimes to resolve differences, but also to exchange knowledge for mutual benefit. -
Disability Rights
14 December 2012Speech
Advancing human rights of children and young people with disabilities
I was around as head of the then Disability Advisory Council of Australia back in the late 80s and early 90s when ACROD and the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission worked together on a discussion paper and consultation process to identify and pursue areas of increased need for human rights protection for people with disabilities. -
Rights and Freedoms
14 December 2012Opinion piece
Stand on your rights, or see them trampled (2009)
Australia is a great country to live in — for most of us most of the time. We don’t suffer the terrible poverty witnessed in some parts of the world, our judicial system works well by international standards and most of us can vote in elections by secret ballot. Most of us can live pretty safely, say what we like most of the time and, if we are so inclined, practise our faith in peace. Most of us… -
14 December 2012Book page
3 Theme One - Economic Independence for Women: Listening Tour Report
I'm a mother who has been out of the paid workforce for two years and will probably be for the next 4 years, until my children are ready for pre-school. My return to work will probably be on a part-time basis and I will probably have to re-start my career after so many years out so I don't expect that I will earn very much. I never thought this would be the case - I studied for many years, earned… -
14 December 2012Book page
Social Justice Report 2006: Chapter 1 : Introduction
This is my third Social Justice Report as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner and covers the period 1 July 2005 to 30 June 2006. -
Commission – General
28 November 2017WebpageSubmission FAQ
Submissions will open shortly. Please register your interest here so that we can notify you when this occurs and keep checking the website and our social media for further information. What is the closing date for submissions? Submissions close on (to be determined) If you would like to contact us about an extension of time, please email wiyiyaniuthangani@humanrights.gov.au. Do I have to be… -
Rights and Freedoms
8 April 2014Opinion piece
Free speech, the public service and civilising behaviour
Before anyone screams "free speech", they should actually know what they are talking about. Earlier this week the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet released new social media protocols. The protocols limit the capacity of public servants to make statements that are "harsh or extreme in their criticism of the government, government policies, a member of Parliament from another political… -
Rights and Freedoms
8 February 2016Opinion piece
Another 'aberration' shows that 18C is the problem and must be changed
State and federal governments should reform laws that make offensive acts unlawful and refocus them on protecting free speech and stopping workplace and public harassment. This week a news story broke about a complaint made under section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act by a Queensland University of Technology employee. Section 18C makes it unlawful to "offend, insult, humiliate or…