News

Disability Rights

Launch of Love and Kisses- taking action on the reproductive and sexual health and rights of people with disability

Stella Young is a vivacious journalist, with a love of dinosaurs and Melbourne night life. She edits the ABC's Disability Portal Ramp Up. She uses a wheelchair. Her disability means that she often breaks bones, and her parents took her to hospital when she broke her leg whilst on a family holiday. Stella was about four years old. The doctor - whilst repairing the break - said to her parents "well, while she's under anaesthetic we may as well perform the hysterectomy." Luckily for Stella, her parents refused.

9 December, 2013

Men breaking the silence

Breaking Men’s Silence Forum

6 December, 2013

Disability Rights

Speech to Australia's Network on Disability International Day Function

Click here to download presentation slide I acknowledge the traditional owners of this land. *Slide with contact details* I've pondered for a while how to theme this speech. After all, it’s my last international day as Commissioner, as my term concludes in July next year. And 2013 - a huge year of...

4 December, 2013

Children's Rights

Young people seeking asylum – protecting their rights in Australia

Young people seeking asylum – protecting their rights in Australia Practitioners Workshop, ‘Improving Services for Unaccompanied Minors & Young People Seeking Asylum’ CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY 1. Acknowledgments Thank you, Pino, for your introduction. Thank you also to Australian Red Cross for the...

4 December, 2013

Disability Rights

Launch of Telstra's 6th Disability Action Plan

Geoff Scott is your average Aussie bloke- so like most Australians, he's a prospective Telstra customer. Only difference is that Geoff is deaf.

3 December, 2013

Disability Rights

ABS International Day of People with Disability

I acknowledge the traditional owners of this land. I have a dream that my children will grow up in a nation where they are not judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character. Who said these words? Martin Luther King. If I can adapt that quote, I have a dream that my...

2 December, 2013

Disability Rights

Presentation to Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

I acknowledge the traditional owners of this land. Thanks for the chance to have this discussion this afternoon. It's a relatively small group so I hope it can be quite informal. We've just seen one of the films from the Australian Human Rights Commission's Twenty Years: Twenty Stories project. I...

2 December, 2013

Rights and Freedoms

Freedom of Speech and Racial vilification: one man’s freedom ends where another’s starts

The Sydney Institute Tuesday 26 November 2013 6pm Venue: King & Wood Mallesons, Level 61, Governor Phillip Tower, 1 Farrer Place, Sydney (Check against delivery) I am pleased to have the opportunity to contribute to the Sydney Institute speakers program and to discuss two freedoms- freedom of speech...

26 November, 2013

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Working with communities to address Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

Australasian Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Conference, Royal Brisbane and Royal Women’s Education Centre, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Brisbane - Abstract

20 November, 2013

Age Discrimination

Whitehorse Accessible Communication Forum

Whitehorse City Council 9:30am-11:00am Whitehorse Centre Waratah Room, 397 Whitehorse Rd, Nunawading, VIC 3131 Introduction Acknowledge traditional owners – the Wurundjeri people Acknowledge the Mayor of the City of Whitehorse – Cr Sharon Ellis Thank you for inviting me to speak at your Accessible...

14 November, 2013

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

The Changing Face of Humanitarian Action

Red Cross, Humanitarian Forum – Conflict, Disruption and Displacement

11 November, 2013

Children's Rights

Realising child rights in the early years

Closing speech Infant and Early Childhood Social and Emotional Wellbeing Conference 2013 National Convention Centre, Canberra CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY 1. Acknowledgments Thank you, Lance, for that kind introduction. I would like to acknowledge the traditional owners and custodians of the land on which...

2 November, 2013

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

NSW Tenants’ Union Tenancy Advice and Advocacy Program

Today I would like to extend the way you may view your work and some of the tools available to you. The Tenants Union is part of a long tradition of fighting for housing justice, as I understand, going all the way back to 1910. What I want to add to this robust tradition is a human rights approach.

30 October, 2013

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

QUT Indigenous Law and Justice Dinner

Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you today amongst those of you who aspire to promote equality and social justice.

28 October, 2013

Children's Rights

Respecting children’s voices in play and learning

Megan Mitchell National Children’s Commissioner Australian Human Rights Commission Continuing the conversation: are all the voices being heard Crown Plaza, Hunter Valley Friday 18 October 2013 View slides 1. Acknowledgments Slide 1 Thank you Aunty Marge for your Welcome to Country. I too would like...

18 October, 2013