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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Symposium on Indigenous Sentencing, Punishment and Healing (2011)

I am a Gangulu person from the Dawson Valley in Central Queensland and when I speak to my Elders, they ask me to pass on my salutations to the Traditional Owners of the land I visit for their continued fight for their country and their culture.

Category, Speech
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

People power is a force in this country

Co-chairs of the Close the Gap Campaign for Indigenous Health Equality - Dr Tom Calma, National Coordinator Tacking Indigenous Smoking, and Mr Mick Gooda, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner

Category, Speech
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Constitutional Reform: Creating a Nation for all of us (2011)

I also acknowledge my Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander brothers and sisters here today, Mr Mark Nolan (Chair of the Eidos Institute) and Professor Bruce Muirhead (CEO of the Eidos Institute), Institute Board Members, University representatives, distinguished guests.

Category, Speech
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Combating Racism in Sport panel discussion (2011)

I would like to acknowledge the initiative of the Australian Permanent Mission to the United Nations and the AFL in coordinating this session. I’d further like to thank the Head of Mission, Mr Peter Woollcott for the invitation to participate in today’s discussion which focuses on racism and sport in Australia.

Category, Speech
Race Discrimination

Still judged by skin colour (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.

Category, Opinion
Commission – General

President speech: Speech to the UNSW UN Society

May I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet, the Gadigal people of the Eora nation and the Darug language group. I also pay my respects to all Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders present today.

Category, Speech
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

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.

Category, Opinion
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Indigenous health: real solutions for a chronic problem (2007)

I would like to acknowledge the Yolngu people on whose land we are today. I would also like to thank Charles Darwin University for inviting me to speak at this Garma festival where we celebrate the Yolngu culture and world view.

Category, Speech
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Moving forward - from 'practical reconciliation' to social justice

Moving forward - from 'practical reconciliation' to social justice Speech by Dr William Jonas AM, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Moving Forward: Achieving reparations for the stolen generations University of New South...

Category, Speech
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Over-coming discrimination against Indigenous people

From the moment Australia was colonised Indigenous peoples have suffered discrimination at the hands of a legal system imported into this land. Not only were our own laws cast aside, but the new laws discriminated against us - and did so because of our race. In 1997, while there has been movement away from former policies of assimilation, removal and protection, the dominant legal system still discriminates against us.

Category, Speech
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Indigenous Rights and the debate over a Charter of Rights in Australia

My thanks to the Human Rights Law Resource Centre, in particular to Phil Lynch, for inviting me to address this important gathering of human rights advocates and supporters about what I consider vital for the implementation and promotion of human rights in Australia.

Category, Speech
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

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I would like to begin by acknowledging the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the traditional owners of the land we meet on today. I would like to thank them for allowing me to speak on their country.

Category, Speech

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