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Disability Rights
14 December 2012SpeechEducation and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Des English Memorial Lecture
On 30 March 2007 I was waxing lyrical to my computer screen in Sydney. My words were not quite the same, but they had equal passion and determination. At 1.40 a.m. on that Saturday morning Sydney time, I was having a few glasses of wine and watching Australia line up with 80 other countries at the United Nations (UN) in New York, to sign that same Convention on the first day it was open for… -
Commission – General
14 December 2012SpeechARE WE CROSSING THE LINE?: FORUM ON NATIONAL SECURITY LAWS AND HUMAN RIGHTS
This paper deals with two aspects of the bill: the preventative detention orders and the new sedition offence. It does not touch on the problematic control orders. -
14 December 2012Book page
Commissioners' statements - Annual Report 2009-2010: Australian Human Rights Commission
Despite the positive positioning of the National Apology and the establishment of the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples, the fundamental nature of the Northern Territory Emergency Response continued to impede the development of a good relationship between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the Australian Government. -
22 July 2013Book page
Chapter 9: Accommodation and Supervision (Recommendations 19-21)
Key findings of Review High profile incidents that occurred in the residential accommodation made accommodation and supervision an area of particular concern to the Review. Well supervised residential settings can significantly minimise the risk of unacceptable behaviour. The residential setting at ADFA is a complex place, encompassing home, place of study and place of work for… -
14 December 2012Book page
Social Justice Report 2004 : Chapter 1: Introduction
This is my first Social Justice Report to the federal Parliament as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner. I commenced my five year term at the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission on 12 July 2004. -
Commission – General
14 December 2012Speech
Launch of the Supreme Court Equal Treatment Benchbook
When I first entered the law 'benchbooks' were closely guarded, leather bound books into which judges carefully entered notes as a case progressed - usually I thought adverse comments and exclamation marks about one's arguments or less than flattering remarks about one's principal witness. These books seemed to be some kind of secret code to the outcome of cases and never saw the light of day. -
Commission – General
14 December 2012Speech
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… -
Children's Rights
15 July 2014SpeechThe 53rd UN Youth Australia national Conference – Opening Ceremony
1. Introduction and Acknowledgements Good morning everyone and thank you to Claire for the introduction. Before I begin I too would like to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land we gather on today; the Ngunnawal people and pay respects to elders past and present. I would also like to thank Aunty Agnes for the welcome to country. Thank you to Conference Convenor, Sophie Corea, and… -
Legal
14 December 2012WebpageA human rights approach to trafficking in persons (2011)
The Commission welcomes the opportunity to report to the UN Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons, especially women and children on the human rights issues arising from trafficking in persons in Australia. -
14 December 2012Book page
2. Inquiry Methodology
The Inquiry has been committed to hearing from all parties in the Australian community who have been involved with the immigration detention of children. -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
14 December 2012SpeechLaunch of the Social Justice Report (2006)
Good afternoon, as a Kamilaroi woman I would firstly like to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land we meet on today, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation and pay my respects to Uncle Charles for his welcome and acknowledge the elders past and present. -
14 December 2012Book page
3 The Commonwealth’s understanding of the usefulness of biomedical markers for age assessment purposes
This chapter considers the Commonwealth’s approach to the use of biomedical markers to assess age since wrist x-rays became a prescribed procedure for the purpose of age determination following the enactment of the Crimes Amendment (Age Determination) Bill 2001 (Cth). It also considers what each relevant Commonwealth agency knew, or should have known, about the value of specific age… -
Children's Rights
30 June 2014Speech
Safeguarding mental health of children, ensuring opportunity to thrive
Safeguarding mental health for children and ensuring opportunity, a speech by Megan Mitchell National Children's Commissioner. -
13 November 2014Book page
Highlights of the year
Key achievements Information and Complaints Services In 2013-14, the Commission assisted 19 688 people and organisations – up 16% on the previous year – by providing information about the law, assisting with problem solving and facilitating referrals to other services. We received 2223 complaints of alleged discrimination and breaches of human rights and finalised 2178 complaints. We… -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
12 February 2018Media Release
Time to rebuild the structure of Closing the Gap
Australia is a long way short of closing the gap by 2030 and needs to rebuild the foundations of the strategy as a matter of urgency. The Close the Gap Campaign welcomes the news that there has been an improvement in several closing the gap targets, however, only meeting 3 out of 7 targets for such a critical national priority is no cause for celebration. Close the Gap Campaign Co-Chair and … -
Disability Rights
14 December 2012Speech
Don't Call Me 'Brave'! Breaking down images of disability
Today is International Day of People with Disabilities. It is a day for acknowledging those among us whose daily lives include the realities of a disability. -
14 December 2012Book page
Social Justice Report 2003: Speech by Dr William Jonas, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner.
As this is the first public speech I have made in Sydney since the events at Redfern several weeks ago, I would also like to begin today by paying my respects to the family of TJ Hickey and to express my condolences for your loss. I would also like to acknowledge the elders of the Redfern community for the strength and the dignity that you have displayed in dealing with these tragic events and… -
Disability Rights
14 December 2012Speech
Adaptable Departments - disability action plans and what makes them work
I am very pleased to be able to contribute to this Forum and would like to congratulate the co-convenors, Rhonda and Fiona, and their organisations for this initiative, which is just one part of the Disability Advisory Council's Disability Action Plan Project running throughout 2006. -
14 December 2012Book page
Highlights of the year - Annual Report 2009-2010: Australian Human Rights Commission
On 5 November 2009 we hosted the Australian and New Zealand Race Relations Roundtable 2009, highlighting the human rights of international students as a major issue. During the year under review, we directly engaged with over 700 international students and student representatives to identify key human rights issues, participated in numerous government and academic forums focusing on international… -
Children's Rights
30 June 2014Speech
Findings from the Big Banter and future plans
Exploring advancements in children’s rights and emerging themes from the Big Banter. A resource for human rights and wellbeing from Megan Mitchell.