18 October 2006
DIARY NOTE
Attention: Journalists/Chiefs of staff
Canberra Public Hearing
Same Sex: Same Entitlements National Inquiry
Discrimination against People in Same-Sex Relationships: Financial and Work-Related Entitlements and Benefits
When: Friday, 20 October, 2006
Where: Gifford Room, Pilgrim House Conference Centre, 69 Northbourne Avenue, Canberra
The last public hearing for the Same-Sex: Same Entitlements National Inquiry will be held in Canberra. The Inquiry is conducting an audit of Commonwealth, State and Territory laws to develop a full list of circumstances in which same-sex couples and their children may be denied financial and/or work-related benefits and entitlements that heterosexual couples enjoy.
The Canberra hearing is the final opportunity for media to listen to members of the public present their stories about how discriminatory laws have had a direct impact on their lives. It will also allow organisations to expand on their submissions to the Inquiry.
More than 350 submissions were received in response to the first discussion paper released when the National Inquiry was launched in April 2006. A second discussion paper and detailed research paper were released on 28 September 2006. The Inquiry is now inviting comments on the second discussion paper by 3 November 2006.
The hearing will be conducted by Human Rights Commissioner Graeme Innes AM.
9.00 - 9.30am: |
Arrive, Coffee/Tea |
9.30 - 9.40am: |
Welcome, HREOC |
Graeme Innes AM, Human Rights Commissioner |
|
| 9.40 - 9.50am: | Gary Fan and Wayne Lodge (Personal Story) |
| 9.50 - 10.00am: | John Curmi (Personal Story) |
| 10 - 10.10am: | Penelope Morton (Personal Story) |
| 10.10 - 10.20am: | Brian McKinlay and James Kim (Personal Story) |
| 10.20 - 10.30am: | Tony Whelan (Personal Story) |
| 10.30 - 11am: | Heidi Yates Lawyer |
| 11 - 11.20am | Break |
| 11.20 - 12.00pm: | Good Process Heidi Yates and Llewellyn Reynders |
| 12.00 - 12.30pm: | Simon Corbell MLA Representative TBC
|
| 12.30 - 1.00pm: | Australian Lawyers for Human Rights Amy Kilpatrick ACT Convenor |
| 1.00pm - 1.30pm: | Lunch |
| 1.30 - 2.pm: | ACT Human Rights Office Jenny Earle Human Rights and Discrimination Law Policy Officer |
| 2 - 2.30pm: | Superannuated Commonwealth Officers Association John Coleman Federal Secretary |
| 2.30pm: | Close |
For a schedule of Inquiry consultations, written summary of the testimonies and audio files see: www.humanrights.gov.au/samesex/hearings.html
The second discussion paper is available at: www.humanrights.gov.au/samesex/discussion_paper2.html
All submissions can be found on the Commission's website at: www.humanrights.gov.au/samesex/submissions.html
For more information about the Inquiry, see: www.humanrights.gov.au/samesex/index.html
Media contact: Gail Heathwood on (02) 9284 9834
Last updated 28 September, 2006
