Australian Human Rights Commission
e-bulletin
14 October 2011
Welcome
Welcome to the October edition of the Australian Human Rights Commission's e-bulletin.
Please forward to friends and colleagues who have an interest in human rights and social justice issues.
In this e-bulletin
- Onshore processing is welcomed
- Top comedian announced as MC for Human Rights Awards
- Buy your tickets now to avoid disappointment
- September photo comp winners announced
- New video explains the complaint process
- Positive stories rolling in to Commission
- See below for more...
Onshore processing is welcomed
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Artwork: Sydney Immigration Residential Housing, 2011. |
The Commission has welcomed the government's move to process claims for asylum on the Australian mainland.
The Commission also welcomes the government's decision to make greater use of bridging visas and community detention.
"For a long time we have said that asylum seekers should be able to live in the community while their refugee claims are processed," Commission President Catherine Branson QC said.
"This is an effective and humane alternative to indefinite detention, which is extremely expensive and causes people serious mental harm."
She said the Commission was concerned however, that the government has stated that it remains committed to offshore processing.
Read more at: www.humanrights.gov.au/about/media/news/2011/95_11.html
Top comedian announced as MC for Human Rights Awards
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| Corinne Grant |
Television comedian Corinne Grant has been announced as the MC for the 2011 Human Rights Awards ceremony.
Corinne is one of Australia's best known and highly regarded performers. She is an accomplished stand-up comedian, MC, presenter, writer and broadcaster who has performed both nationally and internationally.
Her credits include Rove Live, The Glasshouse, Spicks and Specks, Dancing with the Stars, the 7pm Project and Good News Week.
Commission President Catherine Branson QC said she was looking forward to a lively and entertaining luncheon with Corinne as the compere.
Buy your tickets now to avoid disappointment
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Highlight from the 2010 ceremony - Television Award: Football United: Passport to Hope, North One Television Australia for Foxtel’s Bio. |
Tickets are now on sale for the Human Rights Awards ceremony and are selling fast.
The Awards are in their 24th year and will be held at a lunchtime ceremony on Friday, 9 December 2011 at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth, in Phillip Street Sydney.
The Human Rights Medal and Young People's Medal winners for 2011 will be announced on the day, as well as winners of the eight other categories.
Standard tickets are $100, community tickets are $70 for non-government/community organisations, and tickets for concession card holders are $50.
Tickets can be ordered by downloading the order form at www.humanrights.gov.au/hr_awards/
Join the Human Rights Awards electronic mailing list for information at hrawards@humanrights.gov.au
September photo comp winners announced
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September Over-18 Winner - Peter Thompson with 'the long walk to school' |
Peter Thompson from WA is the September winner of the 18-and-over category for the Commission's photo competition.
The competition is based on the broad theme of education.
Peter's winning entry was 'the long walk to school.'
"Children often have to walk great distances to be educated, and they realise the importance of education, so will make that walk."
Thirteen year-old Monte Bovill from Tasmania won the under-18 category for his photo, 'Standoff.'
Monte says he believes the quality of education should be the same for everyone whether they are born in Australia or are an immigrant.
"If this doesn't happen we will have a standoff between different cultures," Monte says.
Entries for the photo competition will be accepted up till 30 November.
Enter the competition at www.humanrights.gov.au/PhotoCompetition2011/
Pathways to resolution video
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Pathways to resolution video |
The Commission has updated 'Pathways to resolution.'
This captioned audio visual program gives useful information about the Commission's conciliation process for people who have made, or are thinking about making, a complaint to the Commission.
It will also help those who have had complaints made against them and provides an overview of the complaint process.
View the program at www.humanrights.gov.au and on Youtube www.youtube.com/AustralianHRC
Copies of the DVD are also available from the Commission.
Positive stories rolling in to Commission
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Send us your story! |
Positive stories about the ways in which older people are making important contributions to society are rolling in to the Commission's new web page.
Susan Ryan, Age Discrimination Commissioner, is keen to use these stories to confront negative stereotypes about older people.
Stories on the website will help to remind the public about how much older people continue to contribute to our communities.
Submit your story at www.humanrights.gov.au/age-positive/submit.html
Recent media releases
- Carers are vital for our older Australians (14 October 2011)
- Processing asylum seekers on the mainland is welcomed (14 October 2011)
- Launching Age Positive: time to buck age stereotypes (30 September 2011)
- Racism against people of African descent must be tackled (29 September 2011)
- Mental health impacts of indefinite detention a major concern at Curtin detention centre (29 September 2011)
Recent Speeches
- Preventing Racism to Build a Cohesive Society,
Dr Helen Szoke, 10 October 2011 - 'Other status': disability and human rights,
Grame Innes AM, 6 October 2011 - Keynote: International Year for People of African Descent Conference,
Dr Helen Szoke, 30 September 2011 - University of Western Sydney – Graduation Address,
Catherine Branson QC, 29 September 2011 - Inclusion and diversity: The foundations of a more effective response to LGBTIQ domestic violence?
Elizabeth Broderick, 16 September 2011
Recent Podcasts
Episode 19 (4 October 2011) – New Race Discrimination Commissioner – Dr Helen Szoke
Dr Helen Szoke is Australia’s new Race Discrimination Commissioner. In this instalment of Podrights, Disability Discrimination Commissioner, and former race Discrimination Commissioner, Graeme Innes, speaks to Dr Szoke about her new role and the issue of racism.
Episode 18 (19 September) - High Court Decision on Malaysia – Commission President Catherine Branson QC
The High Court recently ruled as invalid the federal Government’s intention to send asylum seekers, who arrive in Australia by boat, to Malaysia. Commissioner Graeme Innes speaks to Commission President, Catherine Branson QC about the decision.
Go to www.humanrights.gov.au/podcasts for audios and transcripts of all Pod Rights.
Recent submissions
- Inquiry into Australia’s agreement with Malaysia in relation to asylum seekers (14 September 2011)
Get involved - upcoming events
- 15 October 2011: Deaf Festival NSW
- 22 October 2011: NSW Children's Week
- 24 October 2011: Elizabeth Broderick at Melbourne Business School
- 25 November 2011: White Ribbon Day
For the latest media releases, speeches, opinion pieces, go to the media centre on the Commission’s website at: www.humanrights.gov.au/about/media/index.html
