News

Commission – General

South Australians to talk about Racism

The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission will be in Adelaide next week for a public meeting about racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.

Commission – General

2009 Media Release: New English teaching resource also aims to protect rights

A new resource using real life stories to teach English and human rights awareness has been launched in Canberra today by Federal Attorney-General, the Hon Robert McClelland.

Sex Discrimination

Launch of Mechanisms for advancing women’s human rights: A guide to using the Optional Protocol to CEDAW and other international complaint mechanisms

I am so pleased to be able to welcome you all to the launch of Mechanisms for advancing women’s human rights: A guide to using the Optional Protocol to CEDAW and other international complaint mechanisms.

Commission – General

Court decision demonstrates need for reparations scheme

The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission has called for a reparations scheme for Indigenous children forcibly removed from their parents under past Government policies, following a court ruling in the Northern Territory today.

Legal

Law Seminar 2008: The Importance of Australia’s engagement with International Human Rights Law: coming in from the cold? by Gillian Triggs

While Australia may have come in from the cold, the wind has been taken from my sails. The typical role of an international lawyer over the last few years, whether in Australia or in the UK, Europe and North America has been to berate their respective government ministers with numerous failings and to list the necessary reforms to policy. In Australia’s case these have been to persuade the Commonwealth government to:

Commission – General

2009 Media Release: Nominations called for national Indigenous representative body workshop

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders who want to positively contribute to discussions about a new national Indigenous representative body should nominate from today to attend a national workshop in Adelaide from 11-13 March, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Tom Calma has urged.

Sex Discrimination

Speech - Trafficking: The Need for a Human Rights Based Approach

I would like to begin by acknowledging the Gadigal people of the Eora nation, the Indigenous peoples on whose land we are gathered today and pay my respects to their elders.

Commission – General

Keeping Pregnant Students and Young Mums in Education

Sex Discrimination Commissioner Susan Halliday congratulates the Association of Women Educators for their publication Present Pregnant and Proud, launched today in Queensland.

Rights and Freedoms

USING 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 fact that she had spina bifida, and sometimes used a wheelchair [1].

Commission – General

2008 Media Release: Report calls for programs that divert young people from incarceration

A new report released today by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Tom Calma calls for the ‘skilling up’ of existing services that work with Indigenous young people with cognitive or mental health issues, in an effort to halt their slide into the juvenile justice system.

Sex Discrimination

Westpac IT Women’s Forum: Women, men, life and having it all

At the time I nominated that as a topic, I had something clearly in mind. But that was a while ago and I have long since forgotten what it was. Which is the wonderful thing about being forgetful; every day is new and exciting. Today’s idea about women, men, life and having it all are likely to be different to yesterday’s. By the time I have finished speaking both of us might have discovered something new.

Commission – General

Sex Discrimination Commissioner welcomes listing of osteoporosis drug for men

Following a decision by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) a drug used to treat osteoporosis, Didrocal, will now be available to men on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. This means that men will be able to access the drug with the same availability and at the same reduced price previously only available to women.

Rights and Freedoms

"A Charter of Citizen's Rights - Will this benefit Multiculturalism in Australia?": Dr Sev Ozdowski OAM (2002)

It is a pleasure to be able to address you today and I would first like to acknowledge the Ngunawal people, the traditional custodians of the land on which we stand and a reminder that Australia's cultural traditions began at least 40,000 years ago.

Commission – General

2008 Media Release: Books improve life outcomes for Indigenous Australians

Every effort should be made to improve poor literacy standards and overcome the educational disadvantage faced by Indigenous Australians, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Tom Calma said today on Indigenous Literacy Day.

Sex Discrimination

Senator Stott Despoja’s Women’s breakfast

Valuing today's families today Pru Goward Federal Sex Discrimination Commissioner 22 May 2003 Senator Stott Despoja’s Women’s breakfast Lyrics Room, Adelaide Festival Centre King William Road, Adelaide Senator Natasha Stott Despoja – thank you for hosting today’s event. Democrats spokesperson on the...