News

Disability Rights

Launch of Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District Action Plan

Sarah - not her real name - studied law at university. Not only did she earn a good law degree, she won the university medal. She also won competitions for mooting- conducting mock trials for those of you smart enough not to have chosen law as your profession. She could not get a job - or even an interview - with the Australian public service because she has a significant disability, including using a wheelchair, and some verbal communication issues.

20 February, 2014

Children's Rights

Young people seeking asylum – protecting their rights in Australia

Young people seeking asylum – protecting their rights in Australia Practitioners Workshop, ‘Improving Services for Unaccompanied Minors & Young People Seeking Asylum’ CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY 1. Acknowledgments Thank you, Pino, for your introduction. Thank you also to Australian Red Cross for the...

4 December, 2013

Disability Rights

Presentation to Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

I acknowledge the traditional owners of this land. Thanks for the chance to have this discussion this afternoon. It's a relatively small group so I hope it can be quite informal. We've just seen one of the films from the Australian Human Rights Commission's Twenty Years: Twenty Stories project. I...

2 December, 2013

Disability Rights

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...

26 November, 2013

Rights and Freedoms

Freedom of Speech and Racial vilification: one man’s freedom ends where another’s starts

The Sydney Institute Tuesday 26 November 2013 6pm Venue: King & Wood Mallesons, Level 61, Governor Phillip Tower, 1 Farrer Place, Sydney (Check against delivery) I am pleased to have the opportunity to contribute to the Sydney Institute speakers program and to discuss two freedoms- freedom of speech...

26 November, 2013

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Working with communities to address Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

Australasian Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Conference, Royal Brisbane and Royal Women’s Education Centre, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Brisbane - Abstract

20 November, 2013

Age Discrimination

Whitehorse Accessible Communication Forum

Whitehorse City Council 9:30am-11:00am Whitehorse Centre Waratah Room, 397 Whitehorse Rd, Nunawading, VIC 3131 Introduction Acknowledge traditional owners – the Wurundjeri people Acknowledge the Mayor of the City of Whitehorse – Cr Sharon Ellis Thank you for inviting me to speak at your Accessible...

14 November, 2013

Children's Rights

Realising child rights in the early years

Closing speech Infant and Early Childhood Social and Emotional Wellbeing Conference 2013National Convention Centre, Canberra CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY 1. Acknowledgments Thank you, Lance, for that kind introduction. I would like to acknowledge the traditional owners and custodians of the land on which...

2 November, 2013

Children's Rights

The right to a full life: survival and healthy development for all children

Megan Mitchell National Children’s Commissioner Australian Human Rights Commission Grand Rounds Sydney Children’s Hospital Randwick Wednesday 9 October 2013 Click to view slides (Powerpoint) [15 MB] Acknowledgments Slide 1 Thank you Aunty Barbara Keeley Simms for your heartfelt and thought provoking...

9 October, 2013

Children's Rights

Vulnerable children at the boundary of the criminal justice system

Keynote address at the Jesuit Social Services National Justice Symposium Pushing the boundaries: rethinking the limits of children’s involvement in the criminal justice system. CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY 1. Acknowledgments Thank you, Father Frank Brenan, for your kind introduction. I also thank the...

18 September, 2013

Disability Rights

Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities - Closing Statement

Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, 10th Session, Australia - Commissioner Innes, Closing Statement 4th September 2013

4 September, 2013

Rights and Freedoms

Social Inclusion and Human Rights in Australia

Chain Reaction Foundation Breakfast Cafe KPMG Level 15, 10 Shelley Street, SydneyTuesday 20 August 20137:45am (Check against delivery) Social Inclusion and Human Rights in Australia I would like to acknowledge the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation, the Traditional Owners of the land upon which we...

20 August, 2013

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Will Justice Reinvestment Solve WA's Aboriginal Incarceration Crisis?

Curtin Public Policy Forum

20 August, 2013

Asylum Seekers and Refugees

Australia, Human Rights, Refugees and Asylum Seekers

A comment on the current human rights issues faced by Australia in the processing of refugees and asylum seekers

1 August, 2013

Rights and Freedoms

Freedom of Speech and giving offence: can a balance be struck?

Annual Kirby Lecture on International law: ANZSIL 2013 Thursday 4 July 20136:30 pm Finkel Theatre, John Curtin School of Medical Research,Garran Rd, Australian National University (Check against delivery) Freedom of Speech and giving offence: can a balance be struck? I was especially pleased to be...

4 July, 2013