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In 2001-02, as in past years, the Commission participated in some bilateral international program activities, generally as part of the Australian Government's development cooperation program developed by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID).

Established in 1996, the Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions became an incorporated public company limited by guarantee on 20 March 2002. It is now an independent legal entity and the Forum Secretariat has a formal agreement with the Australian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission for the provision of accommodation and corporate services for its operations.

Learn about international instruments observed in the 2001-2002 annual report.

Learn about freedom of information in the 2001-2002 annual report.

* When complaints under the Racial, Sex and Disability Discrimination Acts are terminated, the complainant may apply to have the allegations heard and determined by the Federal Court or the Federal Magistrates Service.

Contents Significant achievements Statement from the President Chapter 1: The Commission Outcomes structure Human rights education and promotion Chapter 2: Complaint Handling Section Chapter 3: Legal Services Chapter 4: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Chapter 5: Disability Rights Chapter 6: Human Rights Chapter 7: Race Discrimination Chapter 8: Sex Discrimination Chapter…

I have the pleasure in presenting the Annual Report of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission for the period ending 30 June 2001, pursuant to section 45 of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act 1986. The report has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of subsections 25(6) and (7) of the Public Service Act 1922.

Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Annual Report 2000-2001 Back to contents Youth Challenge: A human rights education program for secondary students Commission website revised and relaunched Complaint Guide published on the Commission website in 11 community languages On-line complaint form established on the Complaint Handling webpage Release of Aboriginal and Torres Strait…

The Commission’s vision is of and for an Australian society in which the human rights of all people are respected and promoted. Our task is to find practical, pragmatic ways to turn the rhetoric of human rights into an everyday reality for all Australians and build a more tolerant and inclusive community. As this report indicates, this past year has been a period of substantial achievement…

Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Annual Report 2000-2001 Back to contents Click here to view a larger verion of the HREOC Organisational Chart If you require this information in a more accessible format, please contact paffair@humanrights.gov.au

The Commission is an national independent statutory body established under the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act 1986. It has a President and five Commissioners. The five positions are currently held by three persons. Please refer to the organisational chart on page 16 for further information.

The 2000-01 reporting year was a year of consolidation for the Commission’s Complaint Handling Section (CHS) following the legislative changes to the complaint handling function in April 2000.

As a result of the enactment of the Human Rights Legislation Amendment Act (No. 1) 1999 (Cth) the jurisdiction of the Commission to conduct public inquiries into complaints was transferred on 13 April 2000 to the Federal Court and Federal Magistrates Service. However, the Commission retained the jurisdiction to complete those public inquiries it had commenced prior to 13 April 2000. During 2000&…

The 2000 Social Justice Report is the second by Dr Jonas. It tabled in both houses of the federal Parliament on 28 March 2001. The theme of the report is reconciliation and human rights.

Mr Graeme Innes AM continued to serve on a part time basis throughout 2000-01 as Deputy Disability Discrimination Commissioner. In this role he assists with the handling of public enquiries, exemption applications and the development of standards under the Disability Discrimination Act.

Dr Ozdowski has made public education on human rights a priority for his term. Other priority areas are the elderly in our ageing society and children. Dr Ozdowski is working to progress the Commission’s 2000 recommendations for alleviating age discrimination, as set out in the report Age matters: a report on age discrimination.

The term of the Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Susan Halliday, expired on 26 April 2001 and the federal Attorney - General, the Hon. Daryl Williams, AM, QC, MP announced the appointment of Ms Pru Goward as Sex Discrimination Commissioner for a five-year term on 29 June 2001. Ms Goward commenced her appointment on 30 July 2001. In the interim, the President acted as Sex Discrimination…

In 2000-01, as in past years, the Commission participated in some bilateral international program activities, generally as part of the Australian Government’s development cooperation program developed by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID).

At 30 June the Commission recognised no contingent losses or gains. The contingent loss noted in 1999-00 was realised in 2000-01 and is included in Suppliers expense.

During 2000 - 01 the Commission used a range of consultancy services where there was, for example, a need for rapid access to latest technology and experience in its application; limitations on executive time; lack of in-house resources; the need for independent study; or a need for a change agent or facilitator. There were 8 consultants under engagement during the financial year and total…