This lecture surveys the history of Australian debates about human rights and analyses the arguments for and against a bill of rights.
Hilary Charlesworth is an Australian Research Council Federation Fellow, Professor in RegNet and Director of the Centre for International Governance and Justice, ANU. She also holds an appointment as Professor of International Law and Human Rights in the ANU College of Law. Her research interests are in international law and human rights law.
Professor Charlesworth was the 2005 Sir Ninian Stephen Fellow at the Asia-Pacific Centre for Military Law at the Law Faculty, University of Melbourne. She was winner (with Christine Chinkin) of the Goler T. Butcher Medal awarded by the American Society of International Law in 2006 for "Outstanding contributions to the development of international human rights law."
Professor Charlesworth has worked with various non-governmental human rights organisations on ways to implement international human rights standards and was chair of the ACT Government's inquiry into an ACT bill of rights, which culminated in the adoption of the ACT Human Rights Act 2004. She is Patron of the ACT Women's Legal Service and a patron of the Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture
According to ABC PM Kevin Rudd says he makes "no apology for wanting a big Australia." But what are the real social and environmental implications for Australia's future if population swells by an expected 60 percent in the next 40 years reaching 35 million. Will an increase in population bring prosperity and cohesive cultural diversity, or will it lead to an overcrowded disaster? View the video interview below.
A group of 11 Sri Lankan asylum seekers were picked up by Indonesian police near Indonesia's Bintan island a few weeks ago. The group of seven men, two women and two children were said to be abandoned by a Malaysian agent after being told they would be taken to Australia.
In 2009 Grand Final week, the AFL and AFL Victoria with the support of DPCD's Sport and Recreation Victoria and program-partner clubs the Western Bulldogs, Collingwood, Carlton, Essendon, Hawthorn and Richmond hold a Multicultural Academy Camp for male students in Year 7 and 8. The camp is one of many initiatives the league is taking to ensure that Australians of all backgrounds are exposed to Australian Football.
A group of Indian and Spanish musicians were put together for a showcase of Australian Multicultural Arts at the World Music Expo 2009. Artists include Fernando Mira, Juan Martinez Ortega, Josh Bennett, Parvyn Kaur Singh and Paul Martin. Part of the Mix It Up! program hosted by the Melbourne Arts Centre.
Amnesty International Secretary General Irene Khan pointed out that the Australian government has been unable to tackle poverty among indigenous populations.
'The Australian Journey - Muslim communities' is a showcase of the diversity of Australia's Muslim population and the contributions that many have made to our nation. The book has been produced as part of the National Action Plan to Build on Social Cohesion, Harmony and Security (NAP). In particular, the NAP fosters connections and understandings between Muslims and non-Muslims in Australia and builds social cohesion.
Should Australia have a Human Rights Act? Chair of the National Human Rights Consultation Committee and visiting UNSW Fellow Father Frank Brennan leads the discussion.
The following presentation is by the President of the Australian Human Rights Commission, Catherine Branson QC.
The presentation was delivered by the President as second speaker for the affirmative team in the Great Debate - Does Australia need a charter of human rights, held as part of the National Human Rights Consultation Public Hearings in Canberra on Thursday, 2 July 2009.
President Branson's fellow team mates included Ms Lisa Baker MLA, and Mr Ed Santow (Director, Gilbert and Tobin Centre of Public Law).
The team for the negative included Professor Greg Craven (Australian Catholic University), Professor Adrienne Stone (University of Melbourne) and Professor Helen Irving (University of Sydney).
Graeme Innes AM, then Human Rights Commissioner, presents to the National Human Rights Consulation Public Hearings in Canberra on Friday, 3 July 2009.
Commissioner Innes' presentation was part of session 7 on day 3 of the public hearings entitled 'Human Rights: Education, public awareness and active
