Australian Human Rights Commission
e-bulletin
August 2011
Welcome
Welcome to the August 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
- Human Rights Awards nominations closing on 9 September
- Commission launches new photo competition
- New Age and Race Discrimination Commissioners
- Commissioner packs a punch at Press Club
- New Commission strategic plan and workplan
- See below for more...
Human Rights Awards nominations closing on 9 September
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| The hotly contested Human Rights Medal |
Nominations are closing soon for the Commission’s Human Rights Awards.
Nominations are open in the following categories: Human Rights Medal, Young People’s Human Rights Medal, Law Award, Business Award, Community Award – Individual, Community Award – Organisation, Literature (non-fiction) Award, Radio, Television and Print Media Award.
Go to http://humanrights.gov.au/hr_awards/nominations.html to nominate now.
Commission launches new photo competition
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| Photo by Anthony Byrne, shortlisted entry in the previous photo competition |
The Commission has launched a new photo competition with a category for under-18 year olds and over-18 year olds.
The competition theme is the right to education and will see Apple iPod shuffles awarded to a selected winner each month with an overall winner receiving a $500 Apple voucher at the Commission’s Human Rights Awards in Sydney on 9 December.
A selection of the best photos will be showcased on the Commission’s website and Flickr page.
For details on the competition guidelines and how to submit your photo, go to
www.humanrights.gov.au/PhotoCompetition2011/
New Age and Race Discrimination Commissioners
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| Left: Hon Susan Ryan AO, right Dr Helen Szoke |
The federal Government has appointed the Hon Susan Ryan AO as Australia’s first full-time Age Discrimination Commissioner.
Ms Ryan commenced her role at the Commission this week.
Ms Ryan sees age discrimination in employment as a priority issue for action. Another top priority is assistance for those older people who prefer to stay in their own homes.
The federal government also announced Dr Helen Szoke as Australia’s first full-time Race Discrimination Commissioner.
Dr Szoke will start with the Commission on Monday 5 September 2011.
For more see www.humanrights.gov.au/about/media/news/2011/64_11.html and www.humanrights.gov.au/about/media/news/2011/65_11.html
Commissioner packs a punch at Press Club
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| Graeme Innes AM, Race Discrimination Commissioner |
Commissioner Innes delivered a powerful address at the National Press Club in Canberra this week.
Mr Innes confronted the belief many Australians have that Australia is not a racist country but highlighted how over decades, waves of immigrants had experienced race- related difficulties when settling here.
The outgoing Race Discrimination Commissioner reflected on the importance of better connecting with the communities involved if we are to find effective solutions.
Read the speech at:
www.humanrights.gov.au/about/media/speeches/race/2011/20110809_not_racist_but.html
New Commission strategic plan and workplan
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The Commission has released its strategic plan to guide our work until 2014.
The Commission’s legislation requires us to submit this to the Attorney-General every three years.
The plan is an opportunity to reflect on the Commission’s effectiveness in undertaking its functions and duties, and to identify how we can ensure that our future work will result in tangible improvements in human rights for people in Australia.
Commission President Catherine Branson QC said the strategic plan reflects the determination and desire of Commission staff and statutory officers to make a difference and positively contribute to improved human rights protection for all people in Australia.
See www.//humanrights.gov.au/about/strategic_plan.html and www.humanrights.gov.au/about/agenda.html
Recent media releases
- AIC report doesn’t consider racial motivation (11 August 2011)
- National Disability Insurance Scheme a major step (10 August 2011)
- Change for the better is going to take time (8 August 2011)
- Commission launches new photo competition (3 August 2011)
Recent speeches
- Accessible procurement and promotion of equality in employment
or: It's the same old song but with a different meaning now that policy's moved on
Graeme Innes, 2 August 2011 - I’m not racist, but...: Zero tolerance or zero acknowledgement?
Graeme Innes AM, 9 August 2011
Recent podcasts
Episode 15 2011 – (8 August) - Australia's new Age Discrimination Commissioner
The Hon. Susan Ryan AO has been appointed as Australia’s first full-time Age Discrimination Commissioner. Listen to Ms Ryan talk to Disability and Race Discrimination Commissioner, Graeme Innes about her new role.
Episode 14 2011 – (25 July) - Print disability and the right to read
People who have a print disability have access to precious little information in their lives. In developed countries, such as Australia, less than 5 per cent of published material is put into an alternate format.
Disability Discrimination Commissioner, Graeme Innes discusses the issues and its challenges with the President of the World Blind Union, Maryanne Diamond.
Go to www.humanrights.gov.au/podcasts for audios and transcripts of all Pod Rights.
Get involved - upcoming events
- 12 August - International Youth Day
- 19 August - Launch of Guide on using the Optional Protocol to CEDAW and other international complaint mechanisms
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/
