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Glossary A ADA Age Discrimination Act 2004 AHRCA ºÚÁÏÇ鱨վ Act 1986 APF Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions – A member-based organisation that supports the establishment and strengthening of independent human rights institutions in the Asia-Pacific region. APS Australian Public Service ASTRA Australian Subscription Television Association ASX…

I have pleasure in presenting the Annual Report of the ºÚÁÏÇ鱨վ for the period ending 30 June 2009, 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 section 70 of the Public Service Act 1999.

The objective of the Commission’s new strategic plan is to build on the Commission’s strengths so that it is in a better position to help build an Australian culture where human rights are understood, respected and enjoyed by ‘everyone, everywhere, everyday’.

One of the Commission’s central functions is to undertake education programs that increase public awareness and generate discussion of human rights and anti-discrimination issues within Australia.

The Commission plays a significant role in monitoring legislation and policy in Australia to assess compliance with human rights principles. This monitoring role includes:

Federal human rights and anti-discrimination law provides for the Commission to investigate and resolve complaints of alleged discrimination and breaches of human rights. The Commission’s complaint work is central to its role in protecting and promoting human rights and complements the Commission’s policy and education functions. The Commission’s complaint process provides an…

The Commission has a function of intervening, with the leave of the Court, in proceedings that involve issues of human rights, equal opportunity in employment and age, race, sex, marital status, pregnancy and disability discrimination.

The Commission’s policy work on issues of human rights and disability has involved sustained focus, and engagement with government, disability community experts and representatives, and industry bodies over many years, and particularly since the passage of the Disability Discrimination Act in 1992.

2008-09 has been a year of positive developments in the human rights area. While many human rights challenges lie ahead, as Human Rights Commissioner, I have been excited by the progress that Australia has made in human rights, both domestically and internationally during the year.

Acting Race Discrimination Commissioner, Tom Calma, announced today that the closing date to submit stories to the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission’s 'Voices of Australia' project has been extended to Monday, 15 August 2005.

 To mark the 30 th anniversary of the Racial Discrimination Act (RDA), the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission is putting together ‘Voices of Australia ’ – a magazine and audio CD of real-life stories about diversity and living together in contemporary Australia.

Social Justice Report 2004 Media Pack back to contents Media Releases Launch Speech by Mr Tom Calma, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Launch of the ATSIC Yilli Rreung Regional Council's Strategic Plan and the Social Justice Report 2004 and Native Title Report 2004, Darwin, 27 April 2005 Media Release : Social Justice Commissioner puts government on notice…

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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,…