Human rights are an important part of our everyday lives. So much so, that we often take them for granted. But in a rapidly changing world, how much is at stake for Australians in terms of safety, freedom, equality and justice?

With growing concerns around social cohesion, the right to peaceful protest, housing affordability, economic inequality, and the impact of climate change and digital technologies, how can human rights help us solve the challenging issues of our times?

Join some of Australia’s leading human rights advocates as they explore the issues facing people right across the country and the human rights strategies we can use to build a better and safer Australia where everyone can feel they belong.

This seminar is for anyone who cares about Australia’s future, and about keeping our democracy healthy and strong including:

Workers in the legal, justice, government and civil society sectors
Students of law, politics, business and culture

The seminar is presented by the Australian Human Rights Commission.

The Answer is Human Rights national seminar series is part of the AHRC’s 40 Years program.

Read the media release about this seminar.

Participation

This is a FREE event.
Attendees are encouraged to register prior to the event
This is an online webinar that will be delivered via Zoom.
Attendees will receive an email 24 hours prior to the event. with a link to access to the Zoom webinar.

Panel

Katie Kiss | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner
Rosemary Kayess | AHRC Disability Discrimination Commissioner
Dr Nora Amath | Islamophobia Register Australia Executive Director
Kate Rosenberg | New Israel Fund Australia Executive Director
Dr Cassandra Goldie AO | ACOSS CEO
Hugh de Kretser | AHRC President (moderator)

Content

How human rights make our communities safer and fairer   
Proposals for an Australian Human Rights Act
Proposals to strengthen Australia’s anti-discrimination laws

Accessibility

This event will have Auslan interpreters and live captioning.
Please let us know if you have any specific needs in relation to accessibility during the registration process.

Speakers

Hugh de Kretser | AHRC President

Hugh de Kretser has played a critical role in advancing human rights in Australia for more than 2 decades. Before joining the Commission, he was the CEO of the Yoorrook Justice Commission, the first formal truth-telling process into historical and ongoing injustices experienced by First Peoples in Victoria. He previously worked as the Executive Director of the Human Rights Law Centre and the Executive Officer of the Victorian Federation of Community Legal Centres. Hugh has also served as a Commissioner of the Victorian Law Reform Commission and a Director of the Sentencing Advisory Council.

Katie Kiss | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner

Katie is a proud Kaanju and Birri/Widi woman who grew up in Rockhampton, Central Queensland, on the lands of the Darumbal People. Katie has spent her career committed to advancing the rights, interests and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Katie has previously worked as the Executive Director of the Interim Truth and Treaty Body supporting Queensland's Path to Treaty, Chief of Staff to the Queensland Minister for Seniors, Disability Services and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, and a Senior Advisor to the Queensland Deputy Premier. Before taking the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner role, Katie spent 8 years at the Australian Human Rights Commission as Director of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Team.

Rosemary Kayess | AHRC Disability Discrimination Commissioner

Rosemay is a leading disability and human rights lawyer who has been influential in international human rights law for people with disability. Over the last 25 years, she has been part of the formulation of international human rights law in the area of disability, since her time as designated expert on the Australian Government delegation for the drafting of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). This work has continued in her role as a member of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which she was elected to in 2018, and re-elected in 2022. She has served as Chair and Vice-Chair of this Committee. Her work nationally and internationally has advanced Australia’s agenda for the recognition and protection of the human rights of people with disability. She was the recipient of the Australian Human Rights Medal in 2019.

Dr Nora Amath | Islamophobia Register Australia Executive Director

Nora is widely regarded for her work in multiculturalism, social inclusion, refugee settlement and community leadership. As a sociologist, community developer, author and senior leader in multiple national and international organisations, she has dedicated her career to advancing equity, dignity and safety for culturally diverse communities. Nora’s contributions span domestic and family violence prevention, interfaith collaboration, women’s leadership, youth engagement and systemic advocacy. Currently the Executive Director of the Islamophobia Register Australia and non-Executive Director of Yarah, she has also served as Adjunct Research Fellow at Griffith University, and Australian Fellow at the Centre for Women, Faith and Leadership in Washington DC.

Kate Rosenberg | New Israel Fund Australia Executive Director

Kate has worked in non-profits for over 15 years in the space of human rights, the arts and Jewish communal organisations. She has lived and worked in Australia and Israel and has a B.A. from the University of Melbourne, and an M.A. in Non Profit Management from the Hebrew University, Jerusalem. While living in Israel she co-founded Tov Lada'at, a scholarship and support program for African asylum seekers wishing to gain higher education in Israel, and Keren Baktana, a network of giving circles for young professionals. She also consulted in resource development with civil society organisations - many of which were or still are NIF grantees - including Umm el Fahem Gallery, the Workshop for Public Knowledge and Breaking the Silence. Before assuming the role of Executive Director, she worked with Human Rights Watch as Associate Director for Development and Outreach and served on the board of the New Israel Fund Australia.

Dr Cassandra Goldie AO | ACOSS CEO

Cassandra Goldie is CEO of the Australian Council of Social Services and an Adjunct Professor with UNSW Sydney. With public policy expertise in economic, social and environmental issues, civil society, social justice and human rights, Cassandra has represented the interests of people who are disadvantaged, and civil society generally, in major national and international processes as well as in grassroots communities. Prior to joining ACOSS, Cassandra held senior roles in both the NFP and public sectors, including with the Australian Human Rights Commission, Darwin Community Legal Service and Senior Executive with Legal Aid in Western Australia.

Enquires

For more information about this event or how to participate, please contact us at: 40Years@humanrights.gov.au

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