News

Disability Rights

Speech - iPhone or Trombone: Age or Disability Don't Have to be Barriers (2012)

Alan used to work as a civil engineer, and is a trombone player with two orchestras and two bands. He has competed in the Australian Band Championships for the last three years. He sold his soils laboratory to 'retire', and has never looked back. He still works part-time in soil testing, but as well as trombone playing he is a volunteer in a Rotary shop, walks 30-40 kilometers weekly, won a silver medal in the 10 km Road Race in the Australian Masters Games 2012, and completed a novel for pre-teens called 'Alex', designed to raise awareness about healthy lifestyles.

2 October, 2012

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

2012 Southgate Oration

Uncle Lewis, on behalf of my Elders I pass on our respects to your Elders, both past and present, for their continued struggle for their country and their culture.

27 September, 2012

Disability Rights

Speech -Keynote Address for Suncorp and PWC’s Traumatic Injury & Disability Insurance Summit (2012)

I'm a proud Australian. We live in a great democracy, with one of the strongest economies in the world. I'm not proud, though, of how we treat Australians with disability- some of our most disadvantaged citizens. And we are all ashamed that, in such a strong nation, that treatment continues. This shame can no longer continue. So let's fix the system. Let's have an NDIS so that not some, but every Australian counts. Thanks for the chance to speak with you today.

14 September, 2012

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

AAG Elder Abuse and Neglect Conference

It is with respect and gratitude that I acknowledge that we sit today on the lands of the Larrakia peoples (Darwin) / Arrente peoples (Alice Springs). Thank you to (Ms) Bilawara Lee – Elder on campus at CDU (Darwin); Dr Patricia Miller AO (Alice Springs) for your generous welcome to country on behalf of the Larrakia peoples (Darwin) / Arrente peoples (Alice Springs). My people are the Gangulu from the Dawson Valley in Central Queensland. On behalf of my Elders I also pay tribute to your Elders, both past and present, for their continued struggle for their country and their culture.

5 September, 2012

Race Discrimination

Freedom of speech should not trump the right to safety (2012)

Many people will be familiar with the recent “Aboriginal memes” page on a popular social media site, in which images of Aboriginal people were published with highly derogatory captions.

29 August, 2012

Disability Rights

Speech - Launch of Macquarie University’s Disability Action Plan (2012)

Ten years ago I gave the occasional address at a graduation at Sydney University. I accepted the invitation to speak in the Great Hall and then informed the University that - as the platform on which students received their degrees was not accessible for people with mobility disability - I would speak from the floor of the hall. I did that, and told the story of Bradley Kinsella. He had studied at QUT for three years about a further decade ago, and used his wheelchair all of that time. Despite their knowledge of his disability, QUT scheduled his degree in an inaccessible venue.

28 August, 2012

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Mental illness and cognitive disability in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners – a human rights approach (2012)

I would like to begin by acknowledging the Gimuy Walubara Yidinji people of the Cairns region on whose land we gather today. I pay my respects to their Elders past and present.

23 August, 2012

Disability Rights

Launch of Australian Federal Police Disability Action Plan (2012)

Launch of Australian Federal Police Disability Action Plan Thursday 2 August, 2012 Graeme Innes AMDisability Discrimination CommissionerAustralian Human Rights Commission I acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we meet today. Most of you would confidently tell me that Australians...

2 August, 2012

Disability Rights

Launch of Australian Federal Police Disability Action Plan (2012)

Most of you would confidently tell me that Australians are not held in prison for five or ten years when they have not been found guilty of any crime. We don't do that here you would say. And, as upholders of Australia's Federal law most people would accept your view. Sadly, you would be wrong.

2 August, 2012

Commission – General

Launch of An age of uncertainty (2012)

I would like to acknowledge the Gadigal people of the Eora nation, the Traditional Owners of the land upon which we gather today. I pay my respects to your elders past, present and future.

27 July, 2012

Disability Rights

Access iQ Launch, Media Access Australia (2012)

Access iQ Launch, Media Access Australia Thursday, 19 July 2012 Graeme Innes AM Disability Discrimination Commissioner Australian Human Rights Commission Good morning, I'm Graeme Innes and I tweet. In fact I probably tweet five to six times a day. I get my breaking news on Twitter. I get my cricket...

19 July, 2012

Commission – General

Rights, hearts and minds: Towards a national culture of Human Rights (2012)

I wish to start this evening by acknowledging the Kaurna people of the Adelaide plains. On behalf of the Australian Human Rights Commission, I pay my respects to their elders past and present and extend a special welcome to any member of the Kaurna people present at this event held on their traditional lands.

14 June, 2012

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Native title reform could go closer to fulfilling Mabo's legacy (2012)

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.

4 June, 2012

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Campaign for Justice Reinvestment for Aboriginal Young People (2012)

I am a Gangulu person from the Dawson Valley in Central Queensland and when I speak to my Elders, they ask me to pass on my salutations to the Traditional Owners of the land I visit for their continued fight for their country and their culture.

2 May, 2012

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Historical Justice and Memory Conference (2012)

With respect and gratitude I acknowledge that we sit on the lands of the Wuradjuri people of the Kulin nation. Thank you for your generous welcome to country for all of us.

15 February, 2012