ºÚÁÏÇ鱨վ

The Social Justice Report 2003 is the fifth report by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Dr William Jonas. It was tabled in federal Parliament, along with the Native Title Report 2003, in March 2004.

In accordance with the functions set out in section 46C(1)(a) of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act 1986 (Cth), this report includes 12 recommendations. The recommendations appear in the text of the report and are also reproduced here.

This is my fifth Social Justice Report as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner. In the course of this report I look back at developments over the past five years to ascertain the extent to which we are moving towards achieving long term, sustainable improvements in the situation of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders and the extent to which government policy making…

Social Justice Report 2003 back to contents Chapter two: Reconciliation and government accountability In the Social Justice Report 1999, my first report as Social Justice Commissioner, I identified four key themes and challenges that existed in the approach of the federal government to Indigenous policy making at the time. These were moving beyond welfare dependency, accountability,…

Social Justice Report 2003 back to contents Chapter three: Indigenous participation in decision making – Transforming the relationship between government and Indigenous peoples The twin pillars of the government's approach to Indigenous policy in 2003 continued to be practical reconciliation, with its emphasis on service delivery in core areas of disadvantage, and mutual obligation, with its…

Social Justice Report 2003 back to contents Chapter 4: Responding to petrol sniffing on the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Lands: A case study In September 2002, the South Australian Coroner brought down his findings in the inquests into the deaths of Kunmanara [1] Ken (who died on 3 August 1999), Kunmanara Hunt (who died on 27 January 2001) and Kunmanara Thompson (who died on 26 June 2001). Each of…

Social Justice Report 2003 back to contents Chapter 5: Addressing family violence in Indigenous communities There is no issue currently causing more destruction to the fabric of Indigenous communities than family violence. This has been acknowledged by all levels of government in recent years, with a number of significant inquiries and initiatives undertaken or commenced at the federal,…

Social Justice Report 2003 back to contents Appendix two: The Council of Australian Governments’ whole-of-government community trials initiative This appendix provides a summary of the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) whole-of-government community trials initiative and its implementation in each state and territory. [1] 1. Background In its communique of November 2000, COAG agreed on…

back to contents It's ºÚÁÏÇ鱨վ Time Recommendations CHAPTER 1: Background Recommendation 1: That the Australian Bureau of Statistics be funded to produce a full national time use survey at regular five-yearly intervals to help inform and measure progress towards gender equality in paid and unpaid work. Recommendation 2: That the Australian Bureau of Statistics be funded to develop a set of…

back to contents It's ºÚÁÏÇ鱨վ Time Submissions Dan Ahern Maurice Mok Kay Pearson Phil Jones Confidential J S Kempster Carol Cunningham Jenny Smith Tanya Fane Ruth Wells Confidential Beverly Puls Julie Blyth Sydney for Kids Johnny Ruigo Julia Graham Buckby Confidential Lone Fathers Association Australia Emma Hawkes Christopher Newell Peter Steindl Far North Fathers The Memucan Institute…

3.1 Introduction 3.2 Australia's human rights obligations for workers with family and carer responsibilities 3.3 Limitations of federal discrimination law 3.4 The need for law reform 3.5 Conclusion

4.1 Introduction 4.2 The key issues 4.3 Workplace relations framework 4.4 Recognising the relationship between paid work and caring work 4.5 Certainty and flexibility in the workplace 4.6 Structural change to support gender and carer equality 4.7 The need for expanded legal rights 4.8 Workplace culture and use of family-friendly policies 4.9 A life cycle approach to work and a universal approach…

back to contents It's ºÚÁÏÇ鱨վ Time Chapter 5: Striking the balance in the family 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Signs of change 5.3 Changing family structures require additional social support 5.4 Translating values into reality 5.5 Sharing care 5.6 Distributing household tasks fairly 5.7 Caring for people beyond the home 5.8 Education and cultural change 5.9 Conclusion 5.1 Introduction A more equitable…

6.1 Introduction 6.2 Developing principles for a carer-friendly welfare system 6.3 Current government assistance for families 6.4 Support for all types of families and care needs 6.5 Supporting parents and other carers to work and care 6.6 The need for a consistent and integrated system 6.7 The interaction of taxation and welfare systems 6.8 Fairness in the taxation system for all family types…

7.1 Introduction 7.2 What children want and need 7.3 Early childhood education and care services and children's wellbeing 7.4 Government provision of early childhood education and care services 7.5 How do we make child care services more family-friendly? 7.6 Making early childhood education and care services more accessible for parents and children with disability 7.7 Integration of child care…

8.1 Introduction 8.2 The universal nature of care 8.3 Support for carers combining paid work and caring 8.4 Supporting the diverse needs of carers 8.5 Government provision of formal care for older people 8.6 Greater availability of formal care to meet growing need 8.7 Specialist disability services 8.8 Conclusion

9.1 Introduction 9.2 Transport and access to paid work and services 9.3 Better urban planning 9.4 Supporting community life and wellbeing 9.5 Conclusion

Striking the balance between paid work and family life has become more than a "barbeque stopper" - it is one of the major challenges facing families, employers and governments.

Partners Community participation and working with organisations that share our goals are the key principles that guide the Community Partnerships for Human Rights program. Our project partners include the following government, non-government and community-based organisations. Adult Multicultural Education Services (AMES) AMES provides an extensive range of adult education, training and…

Back to ºÚÁÏÇ鱨վ Community Partnerships for Human Rights Community Partnerships for Human Rights program Working with and for Muslim communities The ºÚÁÏÇ鱨վ's Community Partnerships for Human Rights (CPHR) program has one central goal: to increase social inclusion and counter discrimination and intolerance towards Australia’s Muslim communities. It includes seven…