Monday, 25 January 2010
Commissioner Calma leaves lasting legacy in Indigenous affairs and race relations
“Commissioner Tom Calma has made outstanding contributions to human rights protections in Indigenous affairs and race relations during his five and a half years with the Australian Human Rights Commission,” Commission President Cathy Branson QC said today.
Commissioner Calma was appointed to the position of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner and Race Discrimination Commissioner in July 2004 and will leave the Commission on 31 January 2010 with an impressive record of tangible results in human rights protections.
“It is perhaps fitting that Commissioner Calma is completing his term at the same time as a new national representative body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is being developed – a process in which Tom has played a major role,” Ms Branson said.
“His work in developing the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples is but one of Tom’s many achievements in his role as Commissioner.
“Other major achievements include his leadership of the Close the Gap Campaign to achieve health equality for Indigenous Australians; promoting economic development through recognition of Indigenous peoples’ tradition land tenure systems; highlighting climate change and its effects on Indigenous peoples; community based solutions to addressing family violence and child abuse in Indigenous communities; ensuring effective representation of Indigenous peoples in government policy making processes and service delivery; formal government endorsement of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples; delivering the 2009 Mabo Oration; continued advocacy for members of the Stolen Generations and delivering the formal response in Parliament House on their behalf to the PM’s National Apology,” Ms Branson said.
“I know I speak on behalf of the Commission when I say that Tom’s contribution as Social Justice Commissioner and as Race Discrimination Commissioner (until July 2009) has been driven by a genuine and passionate interest in protecting the human rights of Indigenous Australians and the preservation of Australia’s rich cultural and linguistic diversity.
“The Australian Human Rights Commission would like to congratulate Commissioner Calma on his outstanding public service and wish him and his family a happy and healthy future,” Ms Branson said.
Media contact: Shyamla Eswaran 0419 258 597
