25 June 2003
Commission
welcomes appointment of new
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner
President John von Doussa QC has welcomed yesterday's appointment by the federal Attorney-General of the new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner with the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission.
The President congratulates Mr Tom Calma on his appointment. He will commence his five-year term on July 12 and has also been appointed Acting Race Discrimination Commissioner for a one-year term.
An Aboriginal elder from the Kungarakan tribal group (traditional lands south west of Darwin), Mr Calma will succeed Dr William Jonas AM in the position.
"The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner has an important role to play in advocating for the recognition of the rights of Indigenous Australians and seeks to promote respect and understanding of these rights among the broader Australian community," said President von Doussa.
Another important role of the Commissioner is to keep Indigenous issues before the federal Government and report annually to Parliament on significant social justice and native title issues facing Indigenous Australians.
"I would also like to congratulate Dr Jonas for the outstanding job he has done over the past five years in this role," the President said.
"On behalf of the Commission I would like to wish Dr Jonas all the best in his future endeavours and thank him for the effort and integrity he has shown throughout his term, and indeed his life, to advancing the rights and lives of Indigenous Australians."
"I think the following words from Dr Jonas represent everything he believes in and everything he has worked towards in his role at the Commission:
'For Indigenous peoples to participate in Australian society as equals requires that we be able to live our lives free from assumptions by others about what is best for us. It requires recognition of our values, culture and traditions so that they can co-exist with those of mainstream society. It requires respecting our difference and celebrating it within the diversity of the nation.'
Media Contacts: Paul Oliver 0408 469 347 or Janine MacDonald on 0407 660 235
