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Release of ‘Don’t judge what I can do by what you think I can’t’ to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of achievements under the Disability Discrimination Act.

I am delighted to present my first statement as President of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission. Much of what is reported in this volume occurred before I took up my appointment. The last twelve months have been a time of challenge and success for the Commission as it continues the important task of promoting and protecting the observance of human rights in Australia.

The Commission is a 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 for further information.

The Complaint Handling Section (CHS) is responsible for investigating and conciliating complaints lodged under federal anti-discrimination and human rights law. Accordingly, the CHS plays a key role in fulfilling the Commission’s objective of delivering an Australian society in which human rights are protected.

Where a complaint is made under the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act 1986 (Cth) alleging breaches of human rights and discrimination in employment, the President or his delegate may report to the Attorney-General where conciliation cannot resolve the matter and an inquiry has satisfied the President there has been a breach of human rights or discrimination in employment. The…

Dr Sev Ozdowski OAM commenced duty as Acting Disability Discrimination Commissioner in December 2000 in addition to his duties as Human Rights Commissioner. In April 2003 the Attorney-General announced an extension of this acting position until 3 April 2004.

In the contemporary world, especially amongst first world economies, the culture of civil liberties, freedoms and non-discrimination are reasonably well established and these precepts have clear links to innovation, creativity and the broader concepts of economic productivity and a well-functioning civil society.

Commissioner Pru Goward’s appointment to the position of Sex Discrimination Commissioner was announced on 29 June 2001. She commenced her term on 30 July 2001.

In 2002–03, 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).

The International Labour Organisation Convention 111 deals with discrimination in employment and occupation. Australian adherence to this Convention provides that all people have the right to equal treatment in employment and occupation without discrimination on the basis of:

Review the financial section of the Annual Report 2002-2003.

o The "privative clause" case. o The "Kevin and Jennifer" case. o the "Tampa" case (Federal Court, Full Federal Court and High Court). o the "Catholic Bishops" or "IVF" case in the High Court.

The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission occupies a unique place in Australian society. It sits independent of Government, yet it is not what is traditionally known as a non-government organisation (NGO) or an advocate.

The Commission is a 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.

The Complaint Handling Section had a productive year investigating and conciliating complaints of alleged discrimination and human rights breaches; providing information to the public about federal anti-discrimination and human rights law through its Complaint Information Service and community education and liaison program; and providing complaint investigation and resolution skills training to…

The Commission's jurisdiction to hear and determine complaints of unlawful discrimination ceased on 13 April 2000 with the commencement of the Human Rights Legislation Amendment Act (No.1) 1999 (Cth) and was transferred to the Federal Court and Federal Magistrates Service. The Commission retained the jurisdiction to complete those public inquiries that had commenced prior to 13 April 2000.

Dr Sev Ozdowski was appointed Human Rights Commissioner in December 2000 for a five year term. He is also the acting Disability Discrimination Commissioner.

Dr William Jonas commenced duty as acting Race Discrimination Commissioner in September 1999 in addition to his duties as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner.

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).