The Disability Information and Resource Centre

The National Human Rights Consultation has set up a new online discussion forum at
http://openforum.com.au/NHROC/
This provides an opportunity for you to post your ideas, thoughts or questions concerning human rights in Australia.
This forum is open until Friday, 26 June 2009.

The NHRC is an historic opportunity for individuals and communities throughout Australia to improve our democracy.  The Human Rights Law Resource Centre encourages all Australians to have their say about the protection of fundamental values such as freedom, respect, dignity and a fair go.

There are at least 3 significant ways in which you could contribute to the NHRC and support improved protection of human rights in Australia:

1.    Make a submission.  Submissions to the National Human Rights Consultation are due by 15 June 2009 and should address the following questions:

Which human rights (including corresponding responsibilities) should be protected and promoted?
Are these human rights currently sufficiently protected and promoted?
How could Australia better protect and promote human rights?
The Human Rights Law Resource Centre has developed a range of resources to help stakeholders make a submission, including a comprehensive discussion paper and case studies on how a Human Rights Act can promote dignity and address disadvantage (at www.hrlrc.org.au).

Submissions can be made online at   www.humanrightsconsultation.gov.au

2.   Encourage and work with clients and networks to make a submission.  The Centre has developed a ‘Consultation and Submission Toolkit’, available at www.hrlrc.org.au.

3.   Attend, and mobilise clients and networks to attend, one of the Community Roundtables being run by the NHRC.  There are Community Roundtables being run in the following towns in the week beginning 19 April 2009:

·         Adelaide;
·         Mintabie;
·         Coober Pedy;
·         Whyalla; and
·         Mt Gambier.

The specific dates, times and venues of the Roundtables being held in South Australia are as yet unannounced but will be posted at www.humanrightsconsultation.gov.au in the near future.

Please inform all clients and networks that they should register their intention to attend the Roundtables as early as possible at   www.humanrightsconsultation.gov.au

2 July 2008

Attorney-General Robert McClelland has today announced two substantive appointments to the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission. These appointments were welcomed by Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities Bill Shorten and Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs Laurie Ferguson.

Mr Graeme Innes AM has been appointed Disability Discrimination Commissioner and Mr Tom Calma has been appointed as Race Discrimination Commissioner.

Since 1997, the former Government refused to fill these positions – instead appointing acting Commissioners while they unsuccessfully tried to enact legislation to weaken the independence of the Commission.

“It is clearly unacceptable to have acting appointments for periods exceeding 10 years,” Mr McClelland said.

“Both Commissioners have made a significant contribution to the public debate on disability and race discrimination and have enhanced the Commission’s role in advancing and protecting human rights in Australia.”

Mr Innes is the current Human Rights Commissioner and has acted as Disability Discrimination Commissioner since December 2005. Mr Calma is the current Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner and has acted as the Race Discrimination Commissioner since July 2004.

“Mr Innes is an extremely effective representative of the disability sector, campaigning for equal treatment and access for people with disabilities,” Mr Shorten said.

“Mr Calma is a strong advocate of all Australians being treated equally, regardless of their background,” Mr Ferguson said.

The Rudd Government will work with the Commission on options for its long-term structure to ensure that it can continue its important role in promoting human rights in Australia.

Media Contact:
Adam Sims (Mr McClelland) 0419 480 224
Cath Sullivan (Mr Shorten) 0448 025 042
Khaldoun Hajaj (Mr Ferguson) 0404 078 692