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Rights and Freedoms
14 December 2012SpeechHuman rights issues for rural families: Chris Sidoti (1998)
Families, and those who support them, play a vital role in the protection of human rights. Accordingly, I am very pleased to address this conference, and I commend all of you for your work in preserving and strengthening families. -
Rights and Freedoms
14 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. -
Rights and Freedoms
14 December 2012Speech
Human Rights Day address: Chris Sidoti (1996)
Forty eight years ago this Tuesday, on December 10 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The declaration was a response to the trauma that many of the world’s nations had experienced in World War II. The trauma was especially strong among the nations of Europe, particularly because of the Holocaust, but it was also evident in East Asia,… -
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. -
Commission – General
14 December 2012Speech
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By way of preamble, it is clear the current climate of terrorism obviously requires governments to put in place measures that can effectively deal with a serious terrorist threat or event as soon as it is detected. Parliament cannot wait until potential dangers eventuate. It is understandable – indeed it is necessary in advance - to put in place measures that can deal with the worst case… -
14 December 2012Book page
Understanding the new Premises Standards Survey
The Disability (Access to Premises – Buildings) Standards (Premises Standards) are due to come into force on 1 May 2011. They will lead to significant improvements in the level of access required in new buildings and existing buildings undergoing renovation. It is also anticipated that corresponding changes will be made to the Building Code of Australia at the same time. -
Rights and Freedoms
14 December 2012Speech
President Speech: Religion in the public square
I would like to begin today by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet, the Wurundjeri peoples, and pay my respect to their elders, past and present. -
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… -
Commission – General
14 December 2012Speech
President Speech: Flinders University Law School Prize Giving Ceremony 2010
First, may I acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we meet, the Gadigal people of the Eora nation, and pay my respects to their elders, both past and present. -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
14 December 2012Opinion pieceSecurity rethink can protect refugee rights (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. -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
14 December 2012Opinion piece
Treating asylum seekers well is in all our interests (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. -
Commission – General
14 December 2012Opinion piece
The lives of far too many Australians are blighted by violence, harassment and bullying (2010)
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. -
Rights and Freedoms
14 December 2012Opinion piece
All people have a fundamental human right to seek asylum from persecution (2010)
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. -
Rights and Freedoms
14 December 2012Opinion piece
Everyone needs a safety net at some point in their lives (2009)
The Australian Human Rights Commission has this week lodged its submission with the National Human Rights Consultation, recommending that Australia implements a human rights act. -
Rights and Freedoms
14 December 2012Opinion piece
Stand on your rights, or see them trampled (2009)
Australia is a great country to live in — for most of us most of the time. We don’t suffer the terrible poverty witnessed in some parts of the world, our judicial system works well by international standards and most of us can vote in elections by secret ballot. Most of us can live pretty safely, say what we like most of the time and, if we are so inclined, practise our faith in peace. Most of us… -
Commission – General
14 December 2012Opinion piece
Take judges out of human rights process (2009)
Predictably, opponents of a human rights act reacted swiftly to Mr McHugh's comments, misrepresenting concerns about specific aspects of one model of a human rights act as a reason to reject any such act. -
Commission – General
14 December 2012Opinion piece
Preventing injustice before it can happen – Let’s bring human rights home (2008)
What sort of Australia do we want to live in? I'm quite sure most people, like me, would say they want to live in a society where respect for the individual is recognised as precious. Where everyone is valued, whether they are male or female, young or old, an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, whatever their faith, whether or not they have a disability - everyone. -
Rights and Freedoms
14 December 2012Opinion piece
Don Dunstan Oration (2008)
People often ask me why I feel so strongly about human rights. Perhaps it is fate - both the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and I were born 60 years ago. But I think it is simpler than that - I want to feel proud of the Australia that I live in. -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
14 December 2012Opinion pieceJuvenile justice continues to focus on locking up kids rather than providing services that curb crime (2009)
RECENT announcements notwithstanding, there's no getting around the fact that young people in South Australia are being detained in overcrowded and outdated conditions in breach of Australia's human rights obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child. -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
14 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.