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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
27 May 2024Media ReleaseSocial Justice Commissioner: now more than ever, Australia must reconcile with its First Nations people
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Katie Kiss, has marked the start of Reconciliation Week by calling on Australians to finally overcome generations of disadvantage and division when it comes to First Nations rights, and forge a path for unity. The Commissioner warned that systemic failures facing Indigenous communities in all sectors of society including… -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
30 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… -
Commission – General
14 December 2012SpeechWhy we need an Australian Bill of Rights - a Joint Forum
The first is that HREOC has been suggesting for a considerable time that there needs to be renewed public debate on whether Australia should have a charter of human rights of some sort. It seems that the launch of the New Matilda campaign will give momentum to such a debate. A lot has changed, both nationally and internationally since the unsuccessful attempts of the 1970s and the 1980s to… -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
24 May 2023News story
Uluru Statement calls for First Nations’ voice in the constitution
To resounding applause, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander delegates from across the country have agreed to a landmark Uluru Statement calling for the establishment of a First Nations’ voice enshrined in the constitution. "We, gathered at the 2017 National Constitutional Convention, coming from all points of the southern sky, make this statement from the heart. "Our Aboriginal and Torres… -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
24 May 2023News story
Uluru Statement anniversary
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner June Oscar AO said she’s encouraged by the growing support among Australians for the Uluru Statement from the Heart. On the second anniversary of the Uluru Statement, Commissioner Oscar has recalled how she felt, when she took part in the ceremony to present the Statement to all Australians. “There was a great sense of… -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
25 August 2022Speech
Sir Wallace Kyle Oration
Jalangurru lanygu balangarri. Yaningi Yatharra ngindaji muwayi indirranggu, Kaurna yani U. It is wonderful to be here with you today on Noongar Boodja country. I would also like to acknowledge all the country from around this state and beyond that people may joining in from online. My deepest respects to all our elders past, present and emerging. I would like to express my thanks to Michelle… -
27 November 2015Book page
The need for better engagement - Year in review
1.1 Introduction In last year’s Social Justice and Native Title Report, I raised concerns about the changes resulting from the 2014-15 Budget and the restructure to Indigenous Affairs through the Indigenous Advancement Strategy (IAS). Despite initial concerns about how these changes would impact our communities, I indicated that the streamlining of programs and the move away from a ‘one size… -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
13 September 2021Opinion piece
Incorporating UNDRIP into Australian law would kickstart important progress
Given the challenges we face collectively, it is all too seldom that the world's First Nations peoples are able to come together to develop shared solutions. When we do, we achieve great things. -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
27 January 2021Opinion piece
Can January 26 ever be the day that all Australians unite and rejoice in our sense of collective belonging?
OPINION: I want to celebrate being Australian and I want to celebrate our remarkable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander civilisation. But every year I brace myself for the 26th knowing that it is not the day we can do this. -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
5 July 2021Opinion piece
Return to country endangered by failure to invest
Covid-19 has triggered the most significant return to country by First Nations people since the homeland movement commenced in the 1960s. Thousands, like myself, returned to remote communities out of necessity. Facing the unknown, our family leaders who could made the courageous decision to gather loved ones and travel out to country, with minimal resources. Importantly, Australian… -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
29 May 2019Opinion piece
Indigenous Australians can be bystanders no longer
Two years ago, we gathered in the red dust for a ceremony at Uluru and offered a gift to all Australians. There was a great sense of hope about what this gift could deliver. A new beginning, an opportunity to re-define who we are as a country. A country that celebrates its First Peoples and resets the relationship between all Australians for a better future. Despite the recent setbacks and… -
14 December 2012Book page
Chapter 2: Constitutional reform: Creating a nation for all of us - Social Justice Report 2010
A century ago, the Australian people engaged in a debate about creating a nation. They held meetings...They wrote articles and letters in newspapers. Many views were canvassed and voices were heard. The separate colonies, having divided up the land between them, discussed ways of sharing powers in order to achieve a vision of a united Australia. The result was the Australian Constitution,… -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
6 June 2017Speech
Mabo Lecture - National Native Title Conference 2017
Speech given at the National Native Title Conference, Townsville Introduction in Bunuba Yaningi warangira ngindaji yuwa muwayi ingirranggu, Gurambilbarra Walgurakaba yani u. Balangarri wadjirragali jarra ningi – gamali ngindaji yau muwayi nyirrami ngarri thangani. Yaningi miya ngindaji Muwayi ingga winyira ngarragi thangani. Yathawarra, wilalawarra jalangurru ngarri guda. I stand here today… -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
2 August 2023Webpage
The history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples advocating for the right to be heard
There is a long history of First Nations people advocating for the right to representation and participation in decisions that affect them. The events listed are a selection of moments in history when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have taken action to call for large-scale change by Australian governments to realise their Indigenous rights, demonstrating the history leading to the… -
Legal
14 December 2012WebpageCommission submissions: Katinyeri
1. The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission ("the Commission") by notice of motion dated 24 December 1997, has sought leave to intervene in these proceedings pursuant to ss.11(1)(o)of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act 1986 (Cth) ("the Act") relying upon the affidavit of Christopher Dominic Sidoti sworn on 24 December 1997. -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
14 December 2012Speech
Speeches 2007: 40 years on: what does the ‘Yes’ vote mean for Indigenous Australians?
Anglicare, Tasmania Annual Social Justice Lecture 22 August, 2007 TOM CALMA Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner National Race Discrimination Commissioner Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
14 December 2012Speech
Launch of the 2010 Social Justice and Native Title Reports (2011)
This year’s Native Title Report outlines the four broad themes in native title that I will focus on as Social Justice Commissioner. They are: building an understanding of, and respect for, our rights to our lands, territories and resources throughout Australia, creating a just and fair native system through law and policy reform, promoting effective engagement between governments and Aboriginal… -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
21 July 2017Speech
Children and racism
Protecting young lives against racial discrimination. Insights from June Oscar AO from the Australian Human Rights Commission. -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
14 December 2012Speech
'Still Riding for Freedom’ (2008)
I acknowledge the traditional owners of the land where we are meeting tonight, the Gadigal peoples of the Eora nation. I pay my respects to your elders and to those who have come before us. And thank you to Chicka Madden for your generous welcome to country. Chicka and I spent a term together on the Board of Aboriginal Hostels. -
Rights and Freedoms
6 June 2016SpeechJessie Street Trust Annual Lunch 2016
Jessie Street Trust Annual Lunch - I am pleased to join you today to honour the work and annual birthday of Jessie Mary Grey Lillingston Street, a remarkable, and very modern Australian woman. Well before the First World War, she was an advocate for many of the social issues we care about today; equality for women, constitutional recognition of indigenous Australians, world peace and for…