News

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

WA Law Reform Commission Report into Aboriginal Customary Laws

I would like to begin by acknowledging the Noongar people on whose land we are today and pay my respects to their elders. The recent recognition of the Noongar as traditional owners of this land sets a significant context for the launch of the Western Australian Law Reform Commission Report on Aboriginal Customary Laws. The recognition of Noongar native title through Australian law is the most powerful confirmation possible that as a society they possessed, and continue to possess, well-developed systems of law and custom.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Site navigation

It is now more than 5 years since the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission completed its national inquiry into the separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families with the publication of Bringing them home.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Building co-existence: Dodson

Under clear blue skies on a warm afternoon, Yankunytjatjara members of Anangu Pitjantjatjara peoples are sitting in the shade of large gum trees on the banks of a broad, dry creek bed. They have come from far and wide to be at this important meeting. There is a good turn up, despite a number of people having to attend to other responsibilities.

Disability Rights

3rd National Conference on Human Rights and Mental Health

I would like to acknowledge the Ngunnawal People , the traditional owners of the land on which we stand, and pay my respects to their elders past and present.

Disability Rights

Innes: Special Education Leaders Conference

I'd also like to acknowledge, as I have done at similar conferences previously, what I have owed personally to people in education in NSW. Education with the support of many great education professionals together with support from family and friends to achieve my goals is why I am in the position I hold now. I compare that to the position of many blind and vision impaired people, facing over 80 per cent rates of unemployment or underemployment.

Disability Rights

Australian Institute of Building Surveyors Conference

I would like to start by thanking Bill Burns and the NSW AIBS for this invitation to address your annual conference on an issue that over the next few years is going to see significant changes in the way we design, construct and manage the buildings we use for work, education, entertainment and service delivery.

Sex Discrimination

Launch of Change the Routine: Report on the Independent Review into Gymnastics in Australia 2021

Australian Human Rights Commission Independent Review into Gymnastics in Australia Monday, 3 May 2021, 2pm Kate Jenkins, Sex Discrimination Commissioner Launch speech [Check against delivery] I acknowledge the traditional owners of this land, the Gadigal people of the Eora nation, and pay my...

Disability Rights

Recognition 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

Launch of ABC Disability Awareness resources: An ABC for all Australians

Tonight's ceremony is, in part, a belated celebration of the recognition of the ABC as national award winner in the Prime Minister's Employer of the Year awards for 2000.

Commission – General

President Speech: Victorian Foundation for the Survivors of Torture Annual Oration

I would like to begin this evening by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet, the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation. I pay my respects to their elders past and present.

Sex Discrimination

In the fast lane to gender equality

Let me start by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. I pay my respects to their elders past and present.

Sex Discrimination

Government Lawyers - CLE Conference & Dinner

Thank you for inviting me to speak to you today about my work and its legal connections. In the first instance of course these connections are obvious - my work is based on an Act of the Commonwealth Parliament, the Sex Discrimination Act of 1984, which makes discrimination unlawful on the basis of sex, marital status, pregnancy or potential pregnancy. It also makes indirect discrimination unlawful when an action has that effect on a group of people. Finally, it also makes sexual harassment and dismissal on the basis of family responsibilities unlawful.

Sex Discrimination

National Strategic Conference on Fatherhood: Pru Goward

Of course, women too can be violent. However for the most part, the purpose and effects differ radically - male violence is used to regulate women's behaviour, and men's. Men commit most of the violence that is considered in the criminal system, against women and against other men.