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Disability Rights5 February 2014Publication
Equal Before the Law
Equality Before The Law is a basic tenet of human rights. But I have learned, both as an advocate and during my time as Australia's Disability Discrimination Commissioner, that equality is not always available for Australians with disabilities in the criminal justice system. This report provides a snapshot of where that equality does not exist, highlights services and programs that improve… -
Commission – General14 December 2012Speech
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The Annual Mitchell Oration is held as a tribute to Dame Roma’s lifelong efforts to improve the respect in Australia for human rights, and to counter discrimination experienced by many people, especially women, members of Indigenous communities, and of ethnic minorities. -
Legal14 December 2012Webpage
Recommendation for temporary exemption: Tactile Ground Surface Indicators (Queensland Rail)
I recommend that, pursuant to an application under section 55 of the Disability Discrimination Act ("the DDA"), the Commission grant Queensland Rail a temporary exemption from sections 23 and 24 of the DDA so far as they require installation of Tactile Ground Surface Indicators. -
Disability Rights14 December 2012Speech
Advancing human rights of children and young people with disabilities
I was around as head of the then Disability Advisory Council of Australia back in the late 80s and early 90s when ACROD and the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission worked together on a discussion paper and consultation process to identify and pursue areas of increased need for human rights protection for people with disabilities. -
Commission – General14 December 2012Publication
Annual Report 2007-2008: Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission
As a record, the Annual Report of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) is a testament to the vital role that our Commissioners and staff play in promoting and protecting human rights. In that light, the 2007-08 reporting period has seen a number of significant national developments in Australia that have provided high profile validation for these efforts. -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice14 December 2012Opinion piece
Act closed wounds but not the gap (2009)
In 1994, phone numbers had seven digits, we listened to Crowded House, and it was legal to own a semi-automatic rifle. Mother And Son and A Country Practice disappeared from television screens, and The Adventures Of Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert and Muriel's Wedding showed off our magnificent country and sense of humour while touching on tough issues such as marginalisation, sexuality and racism. -
Legal14 December 2012Webpage
Inquest into the deaths of David Gurralpa and Robert Plasto-Lehner (2009)
Part 2.2: The obligations imposed by the right to life (article 6 of the ICCPR), including that by arresting and detaining individuals police take responsibility to care for their life. -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice30 January 2014Opinion piece
We need to fix the Constitution, says Social Justice Commissioner
Recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the nation’s Constitution is a waste of time, 2UE Drive host Justin Smith recently argued. There are many things the Constitution doesn’t recognise, he said, the document is dull, and we would be better off if we paid attention instead to the words we use every day. I agree with Mr Smith on one point: the Constitution isn’t a page… -
Disability Rights26 November 2013Opinion piece
We have to stop this
“Are you talking about rape? I’ve been raped many times. You just have to get used to it.” Imagine that your daughter, sister, mother, wife, girlfriend or female friend had the grave misfortune to have this happen to her - and that this statement, thick with defeat and resignation, was her response to such a gross perpetration of violence against her. Now imagine she is in a care facility… -
Commission – General3 April 2017Speech
Hobart Oration
Explore a speech by Professor Gillian Triggs, President of the Australian Human Rights Commission, in relation to the state of human rights in Australia. -
Rights and Freedoms14 December 2012Speech
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. -
Disability Rights14 December 2012Speech
Is there a slow lane on the information superhighway?
The title I have taken for these remarks is "Is there a slow lane on the information superhighway". I fear that by now there may already be something dated or quaint in using the term "information superhighway". I am going to use it anyway, and perhaps make matters of style worse by adding reference to a slow lane, because I think a few important issues are suggested by this… -
Legal14 December 2012Webpage
Application for temporary exemption: "La La Land" Byron Bay
The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission has received an application under section 55 of the Disability Discrimination Act for a temporary exemption regarding "La La Land Byron Bay", a restaurant and bar located in upstairs premises at Byron Bay NSW. -
Commission – General28 November 2017Webpage
Submission FAQ
Submissions will open shortly. Please register your interest here so that we can notify you when this occurs and keep checking the website and our social media for further information. What is the closing date for submissions? Submissions close on (to be determined) If you would like to contact us about an extension of time, please email wiyiyaniuthangani@humanrights.gov.au. Do I have to be… -
Legal14 December 2012Webpage
SJU: Submission to Inquiry into Aboriginal Customary Law in NT
To access the Executive Summary of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner's Submission to the Northern Territory Law Reform Committee Inquiry into Aboriginal Customary law in the Northern Territory click here. -
14 December 2012Book page
Social Justice Report 2001: Chapter 5: Juvenile diversionary schemes and Indigenous people
On 27 July 2000, the Commonwealth government and the Northern Territory Government signed an agreement for the establishment of a juvenile pre-court diversion scheme in the Northern Territory (NT). This agreement arose specifically as a response to the continued criticism of the NTs mandatory minimum imprisonment laws and their impact on juveniles and Indigenous people. By establishing the… -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees6 January 2016Project
Immigration detention and human rights
The human rights of people who are in immigration detention are of special concern to the Commission. Liberty is a fundamental human right, recognised in major human rights instruments to which Australia is a party. -
Rights and Freedoms22 January 2014Opinion piece
Freedoms versus anti-discrimination laws? A false debate
Responsibility, anti-discrimination laws, human rights and freedoms - these words have been at the center of an ideological debate about how to protect fundamental freedoms, including freedom of speech, freedom of association and freedom from detention without trial. But if we are serious about securing these fundamental freedoms in Australian law, we must legislate to protect them, just as… -
14 December 2012Book page
HREOC Report No. 26
Pursuant to s 31(b)(ii) of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act 1986 (Cth), I attach, on behalf of the Commission, a report of an inquiry conducted by my predecessor, Professor Alice Tay. The inquiry dealt with a complaint of discrimination in employment by Mr Kenneth Douglas against the Commonwealth of Australia (Australian Defence Force). -
4 February 2015Book page
7 Preschoolers in detention
7.1 Forming relationships 7.2 The detention environment 7.3 Opportunities for play, learning and development 7.4 Impacts on preschoolers 7.5 Findings specific to preschoolers In preschool children we have seen regressed or disturbed behaviour such as needing to cling to parents at night and refusing to sleep in their own bed; separation anxiety; incontinence; uncharacteristic aggression; the…