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Rights and Freedoms
14 December 2012Opinion pieceDon Dunstan Oration (2008)
People often ask me why I feel so strongly about human rights. Perhaps it is fate - both the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and I were born 60 years ago. But I think it is simpler than that - I want to feel proud of the Australia that I live in. Â -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
14 December 2012Opinion pieceJuvenile justice continues to focus on locking up kids rather than providing services that curb crime (2009)
RECENT announcements notwithstanding, there's no getting around the fact that young people in South Australia are being detained in overcrowded and outdated conditions in breach of Australia's human rights obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child. -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
14 December 2012Opinion piece
Act closed wounds but not the gap (2009)
In 1994, phone numbers had seven digits, we listened to Crowded House, and it was legal to own a semi-automatic rifle. Mother And Son and A Country Practice disappeared from television screens, and The Adventures Of Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert and Muriel's Wedding showed off our magnificent country and sense of humour while touching on tough issues such as marginalisation, sexuality and racism. -
Rights and Freedoms
14 December 2012Opinion piece
Bill of rights is essential to best serve human rights (2008)
Click here to return to the Articles and Opinion Pieces Index Bill of rights is essential to best serve human rights Author: President John von Doussa Published: The Sydney Morning Herald, Page 15 (Thursday 9 October 2008) and On Line Opinion (Wednesday 15 October 2008) Five years ago I began my term as the President of the ºÚÁÏÇ鱨վ, confident in the ability of the… -
Rights and Freedoms
14 December 2012Opinion piece
No need to abandon human rights to be tough on terror (2006)
In the post-September 11 world, debate about counter-terrorism is often characterised as an argument between 'the realists', who appreciate the need for tough new counter-terrorism laws, and 'the out of touch', who fail to take the terrorist threat seriously. -
Rights and Freedoms
14 December 2012Opinion piece
Australia's human rights obligations as part of the "coalition of the willing" (2004)
Media reports and repeated allegations of the abuse of Iraqi prisoners in US custody have raised fundamental questions about Australia's human rights obligations as part of the "coalition of the willing" . -
Commission - General
14 December 2012Opinion pieceExcerpt from the 2003 Mitchell Oration to be delivered by John von Doussa, QC (2003)
Plainly, there is no easy solution. There are millions of hearts to be warmed, and what works for some may have little influence on others. There must be many programs, operating on many levels and operating incrementally so as to touch the greatest possible number of people. -
Rights and Freedoms
14 December 2012Opinion piece
Letter to the The Australian from Dr Sev Ozdowski OAM - 6 April 2005
Click here to return to the Articles and Opinion Pieces Index Letter to the The Australian from Dr Sev Ozdowski OAM - 6 April 2005 As an Australian citizen who was born in Poland, the death of Pope John Paul II fills me with two principal emotions. On one hand a sense of pride that a man from my country of birth, whom I had the great honour to meet, should have achieved so much on behalf of … -
Rights and Freedoms
14 December 2012Opinion piece
Human Rights and the War against Terrorism (2003)
"A system of tyranny, the most galling, the most horrible, the most undisguised in all its parts and attributes that has stained the page of history or disgraced the annals of the world." British Prime Minister William Pitt, 10 November 1797, speech to the House of Commons concerning France under the government of the Directory. -
14 December 2012Book page
ºÚÁÏÇ鱨վ the Commission - Annual Report 2011-2012: ºÚÁÏÇ鱨վ
We have statutory responsibilities under these laws, including to investigate and conciliate complaints of alleged discrimination and breaches of human rights recognised under international conventions to which Australia is a party and to promote and protect these human rights generally. -
14 December 2012Book page
Our functions - Annual Report 2011-2012: ºÚÁÏÇ鱨վ
Gives effect to Australia’s obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and certain aspects of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention 156. -
14 December 2012Book page
Highlights of the year - Annual Report 2011-2012: ºÚÁÏÇ鱨վ
During 2011-12, we provided information about the law and the complaint process to 17,047 enquirers. We received 2610 complaints alleging discrimination and violations of human rights and we finalised 2605 complaints. We conciliated 48% of finalised complaints, which means that we assisted over 2500 people and organisations involved in complaints to successfully resolve their dispute. -
14 December 2012Book page
President's statement - Annual Report 2009-2010: ºÚÁÏÇ鱨վ
By the time that this annual report is published, Professor Gillian Triggs will have succeeded me as President of the ºÚÁÏÇ鱨վ. I wish her well in her new role and trust that she will gain the enjoyment and satisfaction from leading the work of the Commission that I have done. -
14 December 2012Book page
Commissioners' statements - Annual Report 2011-2012: ºÚÁÏÇ鱨վ
Looking back over the last 12 months, I can genuinely say that we’ve moved closer to these objectives. But we must move closer still in our efforts to see this agenda of hope realised. -
14 December 2012Book page
President and Commissioners - Annual Report 2011-2012: ºÚÁÏÇ鱨վ
The Hon. Catherine Branson was appointed President of the ºÚÁÏÇ鱨վ on 7 August 2008 and commenced her five year term on 14 October 2008. On 12 July 2009 she additionally became the Human Rights Commissioner. -
14 December 2012Book page
Building understanding and respect for human rights - Annual Report 2011-2012: ºÚÁÏÇ鱨վ
In order for us to realise the Commission’s vision of a society where human rights are for everyone, everywhere, every day, we have made building understanding and respect for human rights one of our two key policy priorities. We are seeking to lift the level of consciousness within the Australian community of the importance of human rights to the maintenance of our free, democratic,… -
14 December 2012Book page
Tackling violence, harassment and bullying - Annual Report 2011-2012: ºÚÁÏÇ鱨վ
We all have a right to feel safe and respected. We all have a right to live our lives free from violence. Violence, harassment and bullying can violate these rights. They can also impact on other rights, such as the right to education and the right to health. Violence, harassment and bullying affect well-being and quality of life. -
14 December 2012Book page
Ensuring human rights are respected and discrimination is addressed - Annual Report 2011-2012: ºÚÁÏÇ鱨վ
As a part of the government’s commitments under the Australian Human Rights Framework, there have been extensive consultations to discuss how the current anti-discrimination legislation can be consolidated into one piece of legislation. -
14 December 2012Book page
Building human rights into law and practice - Annual Report 2011-2012: ºÚÁÏÇ鱨վ
On 25 June 2012, the Australian Parliament passed legislation to establish Australia’s first National ºÚÁÏÇ鱨վ’s Commissioner. The Commissioner will be a member of the ºÚÁÏÇ鱨վ. -
14 December 2012Book page
Leading and influencing advocacy on human rights - Annual Report 2011-2012: ºÚÁÏÇ鱨վ
The Commission has been working closely with the Attorney-General’s Department on all aspects of the Framework. In particular, we have provided input into the development of a National Human Rights Action Plan, human rights education initiatives, improved human rights protections including greater parliamentary scrutiny, and consolidation of federal discrimination laws.