News

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

The Power of Identity: Naming Oneself, Reclaiming Community

Thank you Peter for your kind words of introduction and thank you Krystelle (Jordan) for your welcome to country. Krystelle, can I begin by acknowledging and paying my respects to the your people, the traditional owners of this place upon which we sit and talk here tonight. I honour your Elders that have come before us, those Elders who are here tonight and I await in optimistic anticipation of those Elders, like you, who are yet to emerge. My people are the Gangulu from the Dawson Valley in Central Queensland.

2 November, 2011

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Strengthening our relationships over lands, territories and resources

Let me begin by acknowledging and paying my respects to the Traditional Owners of the place upon which we sit and talk tonight. I honour your Elders that have come before us, those that are here tonight and I await in optimistic anticipation for those Elders who are yet to emerge.

24 October, 2011

Disability Rights

"Other status": disability and human rights (2011)

Amnesty International conference: Human rights challenges and opportunities in the 21st century Brisbane 6 October 2011 Graeme Innes, Disability Discrimination Commissioner

6 October, 2011

Disability Rights

2011 Disability Speech: NSW Careers Forum

RITA KUSEVSKIS-HAYES: Good morning, everybody. If I can ask everyone to take their seats. Good morning, everybody. My name is Rita Kusevskis-Hayes, and I would like to welcome you on behalf of the 2011 Careers Forum Organising Committee to the University of New South Wales.

6 September, 2011

Age Discrimination

Reflections on age discrimination: The price we pay for growing older

But first let me acknowledge that we are gathered on the traditional land of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. I pay my deepest respects to their elders both past and present.

21 June, 2011

Commission – General

President Speech: Current issues in human rights (2011)

I would like to begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet, the Larrakia peoples. I pay my respects to their elders both past and present.

30 May, 2011

Disability Rights

One size does not fit all (2011)

It's true of almost everything in life - clothes, relationships, jobs, etc … one size does not fit all.

11 May, 2011

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

People power is a force in this country

Co-chairs of the Close the Gap Campaign for Indigenous Health Equality - Dr Tom Calma, National Coordinator Tacking Indigenous Smoking, and Mr Mick Gooda, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner

10 March, 2011

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Combating Racism in Sport panel discussion (2011)

I would like to acknowledge the initiative of the Australian Permanent Mission to the United Nations and the AFL in coordinating this session. I’d further like to thank the Head of Mission, Mr Peter Woollcott for the invitation to participate in today’s discussion which focuses on racism and sport in Australia.

26 January, 2011

Commission – General

President Speech: From international principles to everyday reality: human rights education in Australia (2010)

I join with those who have spoken before me in acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet, the Dharug people, and pay my respects to their elders, both past and present.

4 November, 2010

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Towards a reconciled Australia: National Press Club speech (2010)

With respect and gratitude I acknowledge that we sit on the lands of the Ngunnawal peoples and I thank the Traditional Owners for allowing us to do so.

3 November, 2010

Race Discrimination

Still judged by skin colour (2010)

The following opinion pieces have been published by the President and Commissioners. Reproduction of the opinion pieces must include reference to where the opinion piece was originally published.

21 June, 2010

Commission – General

President Speech: The role of the Australian Human Rights Commission in protecting and promoting human rights in Australia

I would like to begin by saying how delighted I am to be here speaking this evening about the work of the Australian Human Rights Commission. I hope also to learn more about the protection of human rights in Japan and about your proposal for a national human rights institution in Japan. This is my first time to Japan and I am thrilled to be here. I am grateful for all the work that has gone into the preparation for this session and for my visit. And I thank those who have looked after me so well since I arrived in your country.

27 April, 2010

Rights and Freedoms

Bill of rights is essential to best serve human rights (2008)

Five years ago I began my term as the President of the Australian Human Rights Commission, confident in the ability of the common law and a robust democracy to protect human rights. I leave convinced we need a major legal and cultural overhaul in order to deal with the human rights challenges of the 21st century.

9 October, 2008

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Can the end ever justify the means?

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner and acting Race Discrimination Commissioner, Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission

18 September, 2007