Rights and Freedoms
In so doing however I am confronted with the classic dilemma of many, namely what fresh insight can I bring to bear on this subject that has not already been canvassed.
Rights and Freedoms
Thank you, Megan McNichol, conference organisers and the Isolated Children's Parents' Association for inviting me to speak at your annual federal conference today.
Commission – General
Discover a speech on mandatory immigration detention of children.
Commission – General
When I was invited to give this address, my first thought was to talk about unlawful discrimination in the context of higher education and, in particular, disability discrimination.
Commission – General
I am very pleased to have been asked to open the 9th Conference of the International Student Advisers Network of Australia (ISANA). I am pleased to welcome those who come from abroad, to exchange ideas and thoughts with a variety of people and across a range of disciplines and institutions.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
I would like to start today by acknowledging the Gimuy Walubara Yidinji people on whose land we are on today and pay my respect to your elders both past and present. Thank you to Seith for your welcome to country. I pay my respects as a Gangulu man from Central Queensland.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
Discover a speech on social justice and closing the gap.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
I would normally begin my speech with an acknowledgement of the traditional owners – but today I need to first express my thanks to Jackie for stepping in to give me voice.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
I would like to begin by acknowledging the traditional owners, [the Gum-bay-ngg-irr people] whose land we are meeting on and thank them for welcoming us to their country. I congratulate AIATSIS and NSW Native Title Services on organising this conference and thank everyone gathered here for your efforts to make this a successful conference. I am honoured to be invited to address you today.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
The ultimate conclusion that the Commission has reached in the submission is that the Commonwealth government's response to the recommendations of Bringing them home to date has been inadequate and inappropriate. The Commission particularly notes that the government's submission to this inquiry constitutes a fresh response to many of the recommendations of Bringing them home, which rejects several recommendations of the report on the basis of flawed arguments and poor reasoning.
Disability Rights
Welcome all of you to HREOC and to this workshop run by the Australian Electoral Commission. May I particularly thank Deputy Electoral Commissioner Andy Becker and his staff for making this process available today.
Disability Rights
I also want to thank Bill Shorten for being with us, and acknowledge the energy and leadership he is providing on disability issues within Government, both on specific issues and on the big picture cross government and inter-governmental issues.
Meet Anne Hollonds,
Australia's National Children's Commissioner.
Her job is to stand up for your rights, and make sure your voices are heard.
My job is to stand up for the human rights of Australia’s children and young people, and to make sure that they get the help they need to be safe and well.
All children should have enough to eat, public transport, good health care, including for mental health, and a safe neighbourhood. They should be able to feel they belong and are supported in their family, their community and at school. They need time and space to enjoy activities like sport and music, and to play.
I want to make sure children and young people have a voice in the issues that affect them.
I listen to find out what matters most to them and what their hopes and problems are. Then I tell the government and other decision-makers what children have said, so that laws and policies better protect their rights.
I also talk to community about children's rights in the media and in speeches, and I do research and write submissions to government. And I keep a close eye on children who need extra help, like children in detention or in out-of-home care.
Children tell me they want their voices to be heard and their views taken seriously. I also hear that having a supportive family and school is really important for their wellbeing.
The best part of my job is talking to children and young people from across Australia to hear their stories and ideas. I am often surprised by what they say. Hearing directly from children is important so I can tell governments what they need.
I would ask the Australian Government to make child safety and wellbeing a priority for National Cabinet and appoint a Minister for Children.
I love swimming and going to the beach with my family, watching Netflix, listening to music and hanging out with friends.
Disability Rights
One day during the Christmas school holidays, my nine-year-old daughter came into the loungeroom, where I was relaxing with a glass of Scotch, and said: "Dad, the window won't pop up -- you have to come and fix it".
Disability Rights
I would like to welcome you all to the first official event of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission's National Inquiry into Disability and Employment since its launch on 4 March.
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