News

Commission – General

President speeches: Development, Security and Human Rights

This paper addresses one of the Forum themes: ‘Security and Human Rights’. Since 11 September 2001 governments around the world have responded to the threat of terrorism with tough measures to protect the lives and security of their communities – to protect their fundamental human rights. New security measures give government authorities unprecedented powers, which can seriously infringe the basic human rights of those against whom the powers are exercised.

Sex Discrimination

Deacon’s lawyers seminar on women and workplace issues

Work and family: The legal perspective Speech delivered by Pru Goward, Federal Sex Discrimination Commissioner at the Deacon’s lawyers seminar on women and workplace issues, 9 July 2003 Chairman of Deacon’s Melbourne office, Peter Beaumont, National Workplace Relations Team Leader, Neil Napper...

Rights and Freedoms

Launch of Human Rights Week, Tasmania

I’d also thank the Human Rights Week Organising Committee here in Tasmania, and congratulate them on their 20th Anniversary. Human Rights Week has been successfully and continuously marked with a number of events each year over the past 20 years in Tasmania. And that in itself, is a remarkable achievement.

Rights and Freedoms

ACFID Awards Night Presentation: Dr Sev Ozdowski OAM (2005)

I would like to commence my brief remarks tonight by acknowledging the success of the member organizations of ACFID. Clearly any organization whose constituent members in 2004 raised $487.4 million, or around 70%, annually of their funds, from the public with only about 14% coming from the government via AusAID is a very effective one indeed. This statistic is also vitally important when one considers the ramifications of how best to engage in constructive policy dialogue with federal governments of any political persuasion.

Rights and Freedoms

PRESENTATION GIVEN TO KYOTO BAR ASSOCIATION: Dr Sev Ozdowski OAM (2003)

Let me start by saying that Australia is a culturally diverse society with 23% of Australians being born overseas. Amongst others, there is a sizeable Japanese community and, as you may hear from my accent, I myself was born in Poland.

Rights and Freedoms

Launch of Give Me Shelter: Dr Sev Ozdowski (2001)

Lord when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food or thirsty and gave you to drink; a stranger and we welcomed you, naked and clothed you, sick or in prison and we visited you?

Rights and Freedoms

Introducing human rights law: Chris Sidoti (1997)

International law deals with many matters of importance to everyday life: access to the water of rivers for navigation, irrigation and drinking; transport by sea and air; environmental protection; the arrest and extradition of those accused or convicted of crimes. International law provides protection in international life and locally.

Commission – General

President Speech: ‘Women as Agents of Change’: Balancing the scales

I would like to begin by also acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet, the Gadigal people of the Eora nation. I pay my respects to their elders past and present. In particular, I would like to acknowledge the inspirational work of so many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women who have been agents of change, be they barristers, lawyers, judges, litigants or community advocates.

Commission – General

President Speech: 2009 Human Rights Day Oration

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

Commission – General

President speech: ‘How could a Human Rights Act lead to better Government?’

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

Commission – General

125th anniversary of the Law Society of South Australia.

Today, on its 125th anniversary, we celebrate the very considerable achievements of the Law Society of South Australia. This is an occasion to reflect on these past successes, to consider their present significance, and to think about the future.

Commission – General

Speeches by Professor Alice Tay, President, Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission

Speeches delivered by Professor Alice Tay President, Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission: 1998 - 2003 Note: Professor Tay, term as President ended on 31 May 2003. The Hon. Catherine Branson was appointed President of the Australian Human Rights Commission on 7 August 2008 for five year...

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Creating Futures 2010 Conference (2010)

I begin today by thanking Granny Alice Yeatman for her warm welcome to Yarrabah and paying my respects to the Traditional Owners, on whose land we meet. Good morning ladies and gentlemen, my Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander brothers and sisters, distinguished guests.

Rights and Freedoms

Is it coming up roses yet? Women in the 21st century

Union, University and Schools Club * check upon delivery Introduction Thank you to the Union, University and Schools Club for inviting me to speak and to Dr Mary Forbes for reaching out to. This is a wonderful event. Full of pride, full of celebration—and full of women and supportive men! Let me...

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Native Title Reform - Where should we go from here?

Launch of the Australian Law Reform Commission’s special issue of Reform 93 on ‘Native Title’ and inaugural Reconciliation Action Plan Tranby Aboriginal College, 13 Mansfield street, Glebe NSW