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Disability Rights
18 August 2015PublicationReflections - first 5 years of the Disability Discrimination Act
As I reach the end of my appointment as the first Disability Discrimination Commissioner, and in the light of proposed structural and funding changes to the Commission, I am drawn to reflect upon the theory and practice, challenges and developments, lessons and achievements, of the first five years of operation of the Disability Discrimination Act, and to look towards directions for the next five… -
Rights and Freedoms
14 December 2012SpeechUSING THE LAW TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE Graeme Innes AM (2007)
Scarlett Finney was only six when she saw the brochures for the Hills Grammar School, set in park-like grounds in Sydney's outer suburbs. She indicated her keenness to attend "the school in the bush". Her parents were prepared to pay the fees, and saw the setting and curriculum as providing her with a great education. But the school refused her enrolment due to the… -
Disability Rights
14 December 2012Speech
Matt Laffan Memorial Address (2009)
MATT LAFFAN: I once used to say to some mates of mine that all I really wanted was 24 hours without a disability. I just wanted 24 hours so that I could do certain things. Since then, I've got a little greedy and now I want one week. And during that one week there'd be hell to pay, because Sydney just would not be big enough. I think the night club scene would be in a world of trouble, because… -
14 December 2012Book page
7. Refugee Status Determination for Children in Immigration Detention
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimates that around half of the 50 million displaced persons in the world are children. Around 10 million of these children are under the care of UNHCR. Approximately 100,000 separated children roam Western Europe.(1) During 1999 alone, more than 20,000 separated children applied for asylum in Western Europe, North America or Australia… -
Commission – General
14 December 2012SpeechThe German Presence in South Australia
I am honoured to have been invited today to open this conference. I have a surname and ancestors with German origins, and I am the Chancellor of this august institution. I guess this explains the invitation, but I have to confess that I feel a bit of an outsider here amongst a distinguished audience steeped in knowledge about the topic of the Conference. -
14 December 2012Book page
Resolving discrimination and human rights issues - Annual Report 2009-2010: Australian Human Rights Commission
Our complaints process provides a way in which individuals and groups can voice and resolve disputes about discrimination and human rights. Our complaint work is also central to our role in protecting and promoting human rights and complements our policy and education work. The number and type of complaints we receive often highlight systemic discrimination problems. We use this information to… -
14 December 2012Book page
Native Title Report 2008 - Chapter 2
In my Native Title Report 2007, I reported on the changes that were made to the native title system during that year. The changes, which were made through two pieces of legislation which amended the Native Title Act, primarily affected: -
Rights and Freedoms
14 December 2012Publication
The right to vote is not enjoyed equally by all Australians
A healthy democracy makes sure that all members of the community have equal access to the political process. Australia is a democratic nation where governments are elected by popular vote. However, even though almost all Australians over 18 years old have the right – and the obligation – to vote, not all Australians enjoy that right as a practical matter. -
Commission – General
14 December 2012Speech
Site navigation
I was invited to pick my own topic for discussion. As an ex-judge being invited to speak to students of the law, I assumed that I was expected to speak on something related to the administration of the law from a judge's perspective. And as President of Australia's Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC), I assumed I was expected to mention the role of human rights promotion in our… -
Rights and Freedoms
11 April 2013Project
Right to vote
The right to vote is not enjoyed equally by all Australians A healthy democracy makes sure that all members of the community have equal access to the political process. Australia is a democratic nation where governments are elected by popular vote. However, even though almost all Australians over 18 years old have the right – and the obligation – to vote, not all Australians enjoy that right… -
Commission – General
14 December 2012Speech
President 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
17 October 2013SpeechVulnerable children at the boundary of the criminal justice system
Keynote address at the Jesuit Social Services National Justice Symposium Pushing the boundaries: rethinking the limits of children’s involvement in the criminal justice system. CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY 1. Acknowledgments Thank you, Father Frank Brenan, for your kind introduction. I also thank the Jesuit Social Services for the invitation to speak here this afternoon, at the opening of this… -
Legal
14 December 2012WebpageSubmission - Inquiry into Older People and the Law (2006)
ADA: Age Discrimination Act 2004 (Cwth) CEDAW: Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women DDA: Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cwth) EOWA: Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency HREOC: … -
Legal
14 December 2012Webpage
Inquiry into the Migration Litigation Reform Bill 2005
At the hearing held 13 April 2005, the Commission took a number of questions on notice. I am advised that the answers to the Honourable Senators’ questions are as set out below. -
22 July 2013Book page
Chapter 10: Minimising risk and ensuring the safety of the workplace
10.1 Education Key findings of Review ADFA provided undergraduates with limited education about healthy and respectful relationships, issues regarding consent, the meaning and appropriateness of sexist language and behaviour, and issues regarding controlling and threatening behaviour. The 2011 Unacceptable Behaviour Survey indicated that incidents of inappropriate conduct and inappropriate … -
Rights and Freedoms
14 December 2012Speech
"AUSTRALIAN HUMAN RIGHTS - INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE WIRE": DR SEV OZDOWSKI OAM (2004)
The first program I intend to watch will not be "The Block" but a program that is screening on Channel 4 in the U.K. and on Foxtel in this country. -
4 February 2015Book page
2 Findings and recommendations
This Inquiry report considers the impact of detention on children at different life stages and of children affected by different circumstances. The findings and recommendations are broadly designed to reflect the ages, stages and life circumstances of children in detention. Findings Findings against the Convention on the Rights of the Child Findings relevant to all children in detentionThe … -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
31 January 2014WebpageInformation about children in immigration detention
Learn about the impact of mandatory immigration detention on children in regard to Australia's obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child. -
14 December 2012Book page
Bringing them Home - Paul story
I was born in May 1964. My Mother and I lived together within an inner suburb of Melbourne. At the age of five and a half months, both my Mother and I became ill. My Mother took me to the Royal Children's Hospital, where I was admitted. -
Education14 December 2012Webpage
Human Rights Explained: The Emergence of Rights in Law
Discover the historical evolution of legal rights, from the Magna Carta to modern treaties, and their impact on human rights law. Learn more with this fact sheet.