Thursday, 25 June 2009
Advances in disability and human rights legislation welcomed
The Australian Human Rights Commission has welcomed two major initiatives today for human rights of people with disability and their families.
Both Houses of the Federal Parliament have passed the Disability Discrimination and Other Human Rights Legislation Amendment Bill 2008. The Attorney-General has also announced that the Australian Human Rights Commission will be given specific responsibilities for monitoring Australia’s implementation of the international Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
“These initiatives are milestones on a long road to equality and human rights for people with disability and their families,” said Human Rights Commissioner and Disability Discrimination Commissioner Graeme Innes.
Today’s amendments to the federal Disability Discrimination Act respond to findings by a Productivity Commission inquiry that stronger measures to ensure economic and social inclusion for people with disability are needed and make good economic sense.
Commissioner Innes commended the government for acting on the Productivity Commission's findings and praised all sides of politics for their support of these measures.
“Even in a tumultuous week in federal politics where almost everything else was controversial, our parliamentarians all came together to support these amendments to enhance disability rights,” Mr Innes said. “They also stayed back beyond the scheduled close of business to get the job done on these amendments - I think we should all acknowledge and celebrate that."
The Commissioner also welcomed the formal recognition of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities as part of the human rights framework.
“Human rights for people with disability present some of the biggest emerging human rights issues in Australia and internationally, and it's great to see today’s announcement recognising that," Commissioner Innes said.
The passing of the Bill also legally changes the name of the ‘Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission’ to the ‘Australian Human Rights Commission’.
Media contact: Brinsley Marlay 02 9284 9656 or 0430 366 529
