Human Rights Law Seminars
Upcoming Seminars
Previous Seminars
Improved protection for the rights of people with disability
18 August 2009
This seminar presented significant developments in the protection of the rights of people with disability following Australia’s ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the commencement of the Disability Discrimination and Other Human Rights Legislation Amendment Act 2009.
- Disability Discrimination Commissioner Graeme Innes discussed the implementation of the Disabilities Convention in Australia
- Jonathon Hunyor, Director of the Commission's Legal Section provided an overview of the changes to federal disability discrimination laws.
The seminar was chaired by the President and Human Rights Commissioner the Hon Catherine Branson QC who launched the Commission’s publication ‘Federal Discrimination Law’ on AustLII.
Presenters:
The Hon Catherine Branson QC
President and Human Rights Commissioner
Graeme Innes AM
Disability Discrimination and Racial Discrimination Commissioner
Jonathon Hunyor
Director, Legal Section
Papers
- Improved rights protection for people with disability
- The best DisCo in town: Towards implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Audio
- Introduction by Hon. Catherine Branson QC, President
Audio of introduction, [Mp3, 5.52 MB] - Graeme Innes, Disability Discrimination Commissioner
Audio of speech, [Mp3, 15.7MB] - Jonathon Hunyor, Director of Legal
Audio of speech, [Mp3, 25.1MB] - Questions and Answers, [Mp3, 8.18MB]
- A Human Rights Act, the courts and the Constitution - 5 March 2009
- What Difference does a Human Rights Act Make? - 11 December 2008
Modern Day Slavery in Australia: The Queen v Wei Tang
16 Oct 2008, 5.30-7.00pm
The Australian Human Rights Commission presented the second of its seminar series celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, entitled ‘Modern Day Slavery in Australia: The Queen v Wei Tang’.
The seminar featured two distinguished speakers:
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Bret Walker SC who appeared as senior counsel for the Australian Human Rights Commission in The Queen v Wei Tang and discussed issues arising from the High Court’s decision.
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Elizabeth Broderick is the federal Sex Discrimination Commissioner and Commissioner responsible for Age Discrimination, and is a member of the National Roundtable on People Trafficking as well as the Chair of the National Roundtable Working Group to develop guidelines for NGOs working with trafficking victims. She discussed how the human rights of victims of trafficking can be better protected.
Speeches and Audio
- Bret Walker SC
Audio of speech, [Mp3, 23MB] - Elizabeth Broderick, Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Australian Human Rights Commission.
Audio of speech, [Mp3, 20MB] - Questions and Answers, [Mp3, 37.58MB]
Photos at the seminar
(click to enlarge)
Human Rights and Climate Change
20 August 2008. 12.30-2pm
The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission presented the first of its seminar series celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, entitled ‘Human Rights and Climate Change’.
The Seminar featured two distinguished speakers:
- John von Doussa QC, President of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission. Mr von Doussa discussed a human rights approach to climate change.
- Emily Gerrard, former lawyer at Native Title Services Victoria and at Allens Arthur Robinson. Ms Gerrard discussed the impact of climate change on Indigenous rights.
Speeches and Audio
- Introduction by Elizabeth Broderick, Sex Discrimination Commissioner, HREOC. Audio of introduction, [Mp3, 5.82 MB]
- John von Doussa QC, President, HREOC.
Audio of speech, [Mp3, 28 MB] - Emily Gerrard, former lawyer at Native Title Services Victoria and at Allens Arthur Robinson, the Federal Attorney-General.
Audio of speech, [Mp3, 21 MB]
Photos at the seminar
(click to enlarge)
Australia’s International Human Rights Engagement: Coming in from the Cold?
23 May 2008, 12.30-2.00pm
The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) held a Human Rights Law Seminar entitled ‘Australia’s International Human Rights Engagement: Coming in from the Cold?’
The Seminar featured two distinguished speakers:
- The Federal Attorney-General, the Hon Robert McClelland MP. The Attorney-General spoke about Australia's role within the international human rights system.
- The Dean of the University of Sydney Law School, Professor Gillian Triggs. Professor Triggs discussed the importance of Australia's engagement with international law in protecting human rights.
The President of HREOC, the Hon John von Doussa QC chaired the Seminar.
Speeches and Audio
- Introduction by John von Doussa QC, President, HREOC.
Audio of introduction, [Mp3, 5.09 MB] - Hon Robert McClelland MP, the Federal Attorney-General.
Audio of speech, [Mp3, 21 MB] - Professor Gillian Triggs, Dean of the University of Sydney Law School.
Audio of speech, [Mp3,19.6 MB] - Conclusion by John von Doussa QC, HREOC; and questions from the audience.
Audio of speech, [Mp3, 23.8 MB]
Human Rights and Homelessness
7 April 2008, 12.30-2.00pm
The HREOC Legal Section held a Human Rights Law Bulletin Seminar entitled ‘Human Rights and Homelessness ’ on 7 April which examined the human rights issues related to homelessness.
The Seminar featured three distinguished speakers:
- Cassandra Goldie, Director of the Sex Discrimination Unit at HREOC. Cassandra’s presentation focused on implementing a rights-based approach to housing and homelessness. (include speech word doc and audio to be recorded)
- Robin Banks, Executive Director of the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC). Robin discussed the advocacy work that PIAC has been involved with in this area. (include speech word doc and audio to be recorded)
- Sue Cripps from NSW Homelessness. Sue spoke about the legal and policy reforms that are needed to deal effectively with homelessness. (include speech word doc and audio to be recorded)
- Introduction by Graeme Innes, Human Rights and Disability Commissioner, HREOC.
Audio of introduction, [Mp3, 4.09MB] - Cassandra Goldie, Director of HREOC's Sex Discrimination Unit
Audio of speech, [Mp3, 19MB] - Robin Banks, Executive Director of PIAC [powerpoint notes]
Audio of speech, [Mp3, 18.7MB] - Sue Cripps, Chief Executive Officer of Homelessness NSW
Audio of speech, [Mp3, 17.3MB]
The Northern Territory Emergency Response Legislation: a human rights analysis
17 September 2007
The HREOC Legal Section held a Human Rights Law Bulletin Seminar entitled ‘the Northern Territory Emergency Response Legislation: a human rights analysis’ on 17 September. The Seminar featured two distinguished speakers:
- Ms Olga Havnen, Combined Aboriginal Organisations of the Northern Territory. Ms Havnen provided an overview of the government’s legislative response; and
- Dr Sarah Pritchard, NSW Barrister. Dr Pritchard presented a human rights assessment of the legislation.
- The Seminar was chaired by Mr Tom Calma, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner and Acting Race Discrimination Commissioner.
A snapshot of the Northern Territory in PDF [407 KB]- NT Emergency Invention Powerpoint slide [116 KB]
- Introduction by Tom Calma, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, HREOC.
Audio of introduction, [Mp3, 11MB] - Ms Olga Havnen, Combined Aboriginal Organisations of the Northern Territory
Audio of Speech, [Mp3, 28MB] - Dr Sarah Pritchard, NSW Barrister
Audio of Speech, [Mp3, 28MB]
4 June 2007
Native Title: developments in case law and practice, Sydney
On 4 June 2007 HREOC presented a seminar entitled ‘Native Title: developments in case law and practice’.
The seminar was chaired by Mr Tom Calma, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner and Acting Race Discrimination Commissioner and featured two distinguished speakers:
- Mr Sean Brennan, University of New South Wales.
Mr Brennan discussed the developments in recent case law on Native Title;
- Mr Kevin Smith, Queensland State Manager, National Native Title Tribunal.
Mr Smith discussed some of the developments in the practice of Native Title determination, including the increasing prevalence of land use agreements.
Speeches and Audio
- Introduction by Tom Calma, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, HREOC.
Audio of introduction, [Mp3, 2.8 MB] - Mr Sean Brennan, University of New South Wales
Audio of Speech, [Mp3, 34 MB] - Mr Kevin Smith, Queensland State Manager, National Native Title Tribunal
Audio of Speech, [Mp3, 41 MB] - Question from the Audience
Audio of Q&A [Mp3 2.8 MB]
Stolen Wages the way forward
10 April 2007
Speaking notes from the panel of the legal forum entitled 'Stolen Wages - the way forward' held on 9 March 2007 are now available online
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Senator Russell Trood, Member of the Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs Inquiry 'Unfinished business: Indigenous stolen wages'. Senator Trood spoke about the Inquiry's report.
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Ms Robynne Quiggin, Panel Member, Aboriginal Trust Fund Repayment Scheme. Ms Quiggin discussed the operation of the New South Wales Aboriginal Trust Fund Repayment Scheme.
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Mr Jonathon Hunyor, Acting Director, HREOC Legal Section. Mr Hunyor discussed the Federal Court's decision in Baird v Queensland.
13 November 2006
All under control? Recent issues in Australia's legal response to terrorism
Speakers included:
- The Hon. Philip Ruddock MP, Federal Attorney General
- The Hon. John von Doussa QC, HREOC President
- Professor George Williams Director, Gilbert + Tobin Centre of Public Law, University of NSW
Held on 13 November 2006
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