Australian Human Rights Commission
e-bulletin
April 2011
Welcome
Welcome to the April issue of the Australian Human Rights Commission's monthly e-bulletin, where we will keep you up-to-date with our latest programs, projects and news.
Please forward to friends and colleagues who have an interest in human rights and social justice issues.
In this e-bulletin
- Sex Discrimination Commissioner to form Defence review panel
- Still too many Indigenous people incarcerated
- Alice Springs effort needs to continue
- New guideline on premises standards
- See below for more...
Sex Discrimination Commissioner to form Defence review panel
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Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick |
Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Elizabeth Broderick, will lead a review by the Australian Human Rights Commission of the treatment of women in the Australian Defence Force Academy and Australian Defence Force.
The aim of the review will be to conduct an independent gender equality audit of the Australian Defence Force Academy. It will also review the progress of existing strategies identified by the Chief of the Defence Force’s Women’s Advisory Group for the Australian Defence Force.
“I have accepted the opportunity to lead this review on the express understanding that the findings will be taken seriously and the recommendations acted upon,” Commissioner Broderick said.
She said she would be assisted by a panel of experts, to be announced shortly, who have deep knowledge and experience in working with cultural change in male dominated environments.
“Without predetermining its findings, I expect the review will identify practical recommendations for creating an environment that is inclusive of both men and women, where violence, harassment and bullying have no place,” Commissioner Broderick said.
“I anticipate that this review will identify any weaknesses and recommend solutions, as well as advance the existing strengths in the organisation."
The Australian Human Rights Commission will receive funding for a secretariat to assist with the review.
Still too many Indigenous people incarcerated
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Commissioner Gooda addresses a public forum at Redfern Community Centre to mark 20 years since the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody |
Twenty years have passed since release of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody but more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are in prison now than in 1991, Commissioner Gooda said.
“The Royal Commission found that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people died in custody in disproportionate numbers because they were in custody in disproportionate numbers,” he said.
“Yet he we are, 20 years later with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people making up around a quarter of our prison population compared to 14 per cent back then.
“We’ve got to stop locking up Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and put our resources and political will into trying proven alternatives like justice reinvestment,” he said.
Justice reinvestment is a criminal justice approach that diverts a portion of funds spent on imprisonment to local communities where there is a high concentration of offenders.
“Governments must look seriously at innovative models, like justice reinvestment, and they must implement standards and independent monitoring of places of detention.
“We simply can’t wait another 20 years, especially with a continuing escalation in the rate of imprisonment.”
Alice Springs effort needs to continue
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Social Justice Commissioner Mick Gooda talks to Mr Kevin Wirri, President of Mpwetyerre/Abbott's Camp, in Alice Springs during his three day visit. |
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Mick Gooda recently visited Alice Springs and said he was convinced that efforts currently underway in the city needed to continue.
“I came to listen and to see, and what I heard was that there are good things happening in Alice Springs.
“Conditions in the Town Camps have improved. They don’t resemble at all those images portrayed in the media of areas littered with dirty mattresses, where packs of mangy dogs freely roam.
“As well, birth weights of babies born in Alice Springs have improved with only seven per cent low birth weight which is almost at the national average and about half the NT Aboriginal average.
“But we need to do more,” Commissioner Gooda said.
Commissioner Gooda said alcohol was also another significant concern.
“I believe we have a moral imperative to go further in dealing with this problem here, and that’s why I’m calling for legislation to introduce a floor price on alcohol at the price of full strength beer,” he said.
New guideline on premises standards
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An example of bad practice in accessible premises! |
Disability Discrimination Commissioner, Graeme Innes, has released a guideline that will help building professionals and others to better understand how the Premises Standards apply to new and upgraded public buildings.
The Disability (Access to Premises – buildings) Standards 2010 (the Premises Standards) commence on 1 May 2011.
“There’s no doubt that the commencement of the Premises Standards will herald the most important and widespread improvements in building access Australia has ever seen,” Commissioner Innes said.
“These changes to the way buildings are designed and built will improve the opportunities for people with disability to participate in and contribute to the economic, cultural, social and political life of our community as equal citizens”.
He said the changes will benefit every Australian and help to create a more sustainable built environment capable of responding to our changing circumstances and our family and community needs.
Their introduction will in many cases require the development of new skills, knowledge and approaches by those in the building industry including developers, designers, architects, builders, project managers, certifiers and building operators.
The Guideline on the application of the Premises Standards is available online at www.humanrights.gov.au/disability_rights/standards/PSguide.html
Recent media releases
- Twenty years on but Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders continue to die in custody (12 April 2011)
- Sex Discrimination Commissioner to form Defence review panel (11 April 2011)
- Efforts in Alice Springs should continue for communities to thrive (5 April 2011)
Recent speeches
- NSW Jewish Board of Deputies Passover Seder - Freedom in Australia
Delivered by the Hon Catherine Branson, Sydney, 7 April 2011 - The role of human rights education in realising the vision of social justice
Delivered by the Hon Catherine Branson, Sydney, 24 March 2011 - 100 years of International Women's Day
Delivered by Elizabeth Broderick, ACT Women's Services Network Breakfast, 8 March 2011 - Seeking Security- Launch of Australian Domestic & Family Violence Clearing House Research Report
Delivered by Elizabeth Broderick, UNSW, 7 March 2011 - The State of Gender Equality in Australia on International Women’s Day: What more needs to happen?
Delivered by Elizabeth Broderick, Australian Human Resources Institute, 4 March 2011
Recent podcasts
Episode 6 2011 - Accessibility and social change – (4 April) - Rick Hansen
Twenty percent of Australians live with a disability, and it's a statistic that's increasing as we all age. We all need to access premises, services, facilities and information, but for those of us living with disabilities, there are still significant barriers to access. Canadian Rick Hansen has been working to change this over the last 25 years. His Rick Hansen Foundation has raised over $200 million. In this instalment of PodRights, Rick talks to Commissioner Graeme Innes about his and other people's achievements, the work and the major issues that are helping to remove barriers to accessibility.
Episode 5 2011 – Bullying – (21 March) - Helen Geard and Jonathon Nicholas.
A recent Australian study estimated that 27 percent of students in years 4 to 9 are bullied at least every few weeks and between 7 and 10 percent are cyber-bullied. In today's world, initiatives to address bullying are facing new challenges. In both the physical and the virtual world, the role of the bystander is an important one. But if a bystander is to be able to take action, they must feel safe, supported and empowered to do so. Disability and Race Discrimination Commissioner, Graeme Innes discussed these issues with the Chief Commissioner for Girl Guides Australia, Ms Helen Geard, and CEO of the Inspire Foundation, Mr Jonathon Nicholas.
Go to www.humanrights.gov.au/podcasts for audios and transcripts of all Pod Rights.
Get involved - upcoming events
For the latest media releases, speeches, opinion pieces, go to the media centre on the Commission’s website at: www.humanrights.gov.au/about/media/
