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LGBTIQ+
29 January 2016Opinion pieceGenuine marriage equality is more than overdue
Imagine seeing the words "never married" on your new husband's death certificate. As if the grief of losing your husband while honeymooning wasn't traumatic enough. Marco Bulmer-Rizzi's husband, David, died after falling down stairs at a friend's place in Adelaide. Because South Australia doesn't recognise same-sex marriages from overseas, David's death certificate initially recorded him as … -
Disability Rights
14 December 2012SpeechMatt Laffan Memorial Address (2009)
MATT LAFFAN: I once used to say to some mates of mine that all I really wanted was 24 hours without a disability. I just wanted 24 hours so that I could do certain things. Since then, I've got a little greedy and now I want one week. And during that one week there'd be hell to pay, because Sydney just would not be big enough. I think the night club scene would be in a world of trouble, because… -
Disability Rights
14 December 2012Speech
Presentation to State and Local Government CEO's (2009)
It's a great pleasure for me to be back in Perth , and particularly here at the Association For The Blind. During the eighties and nineties I lived in Perth for around ten years. I met and married my wife here, and still have strong family links. We still own property here and, if I have my way, we'll retire back here. Despite the fact that I have lived over East now for 16 years, I still barrack… -
Legal
14 December 2012WebpageCommission Submission - Vijayakumar v Qantas
"unlawful discrimination" means any acts, omissions or practices that are unlawful under…[p]art 2 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 …and includes any conduct that is an offence under… Division 4 of Part 2 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992… -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
30 August 2018SpeechMoving forward - from 'practical reconciliation' to social justice
Read a speech by former Commissioner, Dr William Jonas AM about achieving justice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. -
Legal
14 December 2012Webpage
Submission - The Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Amendment Bill 2006 (Cth)
SUBMISSION TO THE AUSTRALIAN SENATE, COMMUNITY AFFAIRS, LEGISLATION COMMITTEE On THE ABORIGINAL LAND RIGHTS (NORTHERN TERRITORY) AMENDMENT BILL 2006 (CTH) FROM THE ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER SOCIAL JUSTICE COMMISSIONER AND ACTING RACE DISCRIMINATION COMMISSIONER, TOM CALMA 13 July 2006 INTRODUCTION I welcome the opportunity to comment on the proposed amendments to The Aboriginal… -
Age Discrimination
8 August 2023SpeechBuilding a better cultural inheritance for an ageing Australia
Hon Dr Kay Patterson AO Age Discrimination Commissioner Keynote Address to National Press Club of Australia, Canberra Wednesday, 28 June, 2023 CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY Welcome Thank you Andrew Tillett (National Press Club Vice President) for your kind introduction. I am sometimes introduced incorrectly, but maybe more accurately, as the Ageing Discrimination Commissioner. I wish to acknowledge… -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
10 October 2014Opinion pieceMagna Carta shelters asylum-seekers
NEXT year is the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta, signed reluctantly by King John at the demand of his rebellious barons in 1215. Buried in the middle of this foundational document of English constitutional law — setting out the single measure for wine and ale and the rights of widows on the death of their husband — are these words: “No freeman is to be taken or imprisoned or disseised… -
14 December 2012Book page
National Inquiry on Employment and Disability Interim Report: chapter 7
The preceding chapters of this report are a summary of the main issues raised in the submissions and consultations already conducted by the Inquiry. The issues have been grouped into themes as follows: -
Commission – General
18 March 2013Webpage
What are human rights?
Learn about Australia's international human rights commitments and the future of human rights legislation. -
Legal
14 December 2012Webpage
Commission submissions: P v P
2. The exercise of the jurisdiction of the Family Court is directly linked to the child's capacity to consent and therefore the capacity to consent must be the first issue to be decided. -
Commission – General
14 December 2012Speech
Creating Fairness and Equality in the Workplace
It is now 12 months since the introduction of WorkChoices radically restructured Australia’s industrial relations system. Today, I propose to reflect on the implications of WorkChoices for the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) and to outline reforms HREOC believes are necessary to safeguard fairness and equality in the workplace. -
14 December 2012Book page
Towards Accessible Telecommunications for People with Disabilities
2.1 Introduction 2.2 Telephone Network Evolution 2.2.1 Mainstream Technology Developments 2.2.2 Customer Access Alternatives 2.2.3 Implications for People with Disabilities 2.3 Wireless Communications 2.3.1 Mainstream Developments in Mobile Telecommunications 2.3.2 Implications for People with Disabilities 2.4 Development of the Internet 2.4.1 Mainstream Internet Development 2.4.2 World Wide Web… -
Rights and Freedoms
10 October 2014Opinion pieceEven in pursuit of valid goals, let's stop sacrificing principles and rights
In pursuit of legitimately tackling isolated criminal behaviour, Parliaments are reversing the basic principle of liberal democracy by criminalising the exercise of human rights and prescribing lawful activity. -
Disability Rights
14 December 2012Speech
Initiatives to achieve better access to the built environment
As you know, the Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act, and equivalent laws in all States, make it unlawful to discriminate on the ground of a person's disability. One of the areas covered by the Act is access to premises. The only exception to this is where a building is already constructed not providing access, and alteration to provide access would cause unjustifiable hardship. -
Disability Rights
14 December 2012Speech
Getting there: access to public transport
I am particularly pleased to join in opening this international conference on mobility and transport for elderly and disabled people and to be discussing accessible transport here in Western Australia. The Government of Western Australia deserves recognition for the commitment it is showing to making public transport accessible: a commitment adopted in principle, policy and plans and increasingly… -
Legal
14 December 2012Webpage
Temporary exemption application under Disability Discrimination Act section 55: Wheelchairs not occupied by passenger on buses
Note: After further discussions with HREOC and disability representatives Westbus has notified HREOC that this application is withdrawn. This notice and submissions in response are being maintained on this site for information. -
LGBTIQ+
14 December 2012Opinion piece
Opinion Pieces - It's hard to argue against equality (2007)
Federal laws prohibit discrimination against women, older people, people with disability and people of different races. However, there are 60-plus pieces of federal legislation which specifically deny financial and work-related benefits to same-sex couples. -
Commission – General
14 December 2012Opinion piece
Bystanders must join fight against bullying (2011)
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. -
14 December 2012Book page
National Inquiry into Children in Immigration Detention
As organisations with a strong commitment to social justice, and in particular to the education of young people, the Catholic Education Office, Diocese of Parramatta, and the Edmund Rice Centre, are most appreciative of the opportunity to make a submission to the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission’s Inquiry into Children in Immigration Detention.