Media Release | Wednesday 1 May 2024
Two of Australia’s most famous legal eagles are set to team up to prosecute the case for an Australian Human Rights Act at an historic two-day forum in June during the Vivid Sydney festival.
Eminent international jurist and former High Court judge Michael Kirby and leading international human rights lawyer Jennifer Robinson (who represents Julian Assange) will tag team at the Free + Equal Human Rights Conference to deliver the event’s keynote address on Friday 7 June at the Hyatt Regency in Sydney: www.freeandequal.com.au
Presented by the Australian Human Rights Commission, the conference is focused on paving the way for a revitalisation of Australia’s human rights framework, including the introduction of an Australian Human Rights Act. Both Mr Kirby and Ms Robinson are noted advocates for a Human Rights Act and will detail how such a mechanism would help advance how people in Australia experience justice, equity, compassion and respect.
Mr Kirby said: “Australia has changed significantly over the last 25 years in terms of our population, our economy, our culture and the impact of technology. However, the laws, policies and practices which make up Australia’s human rights framework have not kept pace. This means our country is not protecting and promoting human rights as well as we could. I am looking forward to sharing my thoughts on how a Human Rights Act will help change the face of human rights in Australia and make our country more just, equitable and inclusive. An equal society is a safe society and upholds the Australian dream.’’
Ms Robinson said: “Australia lags behind rights-respecting democracies when it comes to human rights protection. Now is the time to build momentum and mobilise support for an Australian Human Rights Act. I’m delighted to have this opportunity to contribute to national advocacy for such an important reform – and for the human rights protection that everyone in Australia deserves.”
Mr Kirby and Ms Robinson will also join Waleed Aly, Adam Spencer, Nazeem Hussain and other leading social justice advocates the night before, on Thursday 6 June, for the future-shock Rights On Time panel show where they’ll debate how a Human Rights Act would protect rights from going wrong in the future.
Ten News First presenter Narelda Jacobs will emcee the full day conference on Friday 7 June which will include 12 engaging sessions and events and more than 50 diverse speakers and panellists who’ll provide a lively and inspirational blend of views, insights and perspectives around advancing human rights in Australia.
Hundreds of delegates from across Australia’s human rights, civil society, legal, justice, government and business sectors are set to attend the gathering which promises to be Australia’s premier human rights event for 2024.
A week before the conference, the Federal Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights is set to release its highly-anticipated report into the elements of a new national human rights framework, including whether an Australian Human Rights Act should be enacted.
Commission President Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher said: “An Australian Human Rights Act would be a major reform that would have a significant impact on Australia’s legal, justice, government, civil society and business sectors, so understanding the trajectory of its introduction is vital for people working across these areas.”
“Coming hot on the heels of the PJCHR’s inquiry, the Free + Equal Conference is a not-to-be-missed gathering for anyone with an interest in human rights to be involved in a very timely discussion about how we can advance human rights in Australia and build momentum for revitalising our human rights framework, with an Australian Human Rights Act at its centre.”
Delegates will learn about the benefits and opportunities a Human Rights Act will deliver as well as how to activate community support and engagement for this long overdue reform. Sessions will also focus on other key aspects of a revitalised human rights framework including: enhancing Australia's anti-discrimination laws; preventing racism; improving children’s rights and youth justice; exploring the intersection of business, technology and human rights; and marking 40 years of Australia’s ground-breaking Sex Discrimination Act.
The conference is also part of this year’s Vivid Sydney festival, providing visiting delegates with opportunities to indulge in all the fabulous entertainment, food, music and spectacle that the Vivid Sydney festival offers. Stay for the King’s Birthday long weekend and make your time in Sydney a memorable getaway!
Free + Equal Human Rights Conference
Rights On Time
ENDS | Media contact: media@humanrights.gov.au or +61 457 281 897
Media Release | Wednesday 17 April 2024
Leading human rights advocates from across Australia and around the world are set to give a massive boost to efforts to introduce an Australian Human Rights Act at a historic forum in June during the Vivid Sydney festival.
The final line-up of speakers has just been announced with more than 60 eminent experts, thought leaders, social justice advocates and community heroes set to provide a lively and inspirational blend of views, insights and perspectives at the two-day event.
Presented by the Australian Human Rights Commission, hundreds of delegates from across Australia’s human rights, civil society, legal, justice, government and business sectors are set to attend the gathering which promises to be Australia’s premier human rights event for 2024.
Waleed Aly, Jennifer Robison, Michael Kirby, Adam Spencer, Nazeem Hussain, Tanya Hosch, Sisonke Msimang and Rosalind Croucher will kick off proceedings with the future-shock Rights On Time panel show on Thursday 6 June, while SBS/NITV and Network Ten star Narelda Jacobs will emcee the full day conference on Friday 7 June which will feature more than 50 diverse speakers and panellists across 12 engaging sessions and events. 10% earlybird discounts on all registrations have been extended to ANZAC Day, Thursday 25 April. Find out more: www.freeandequal.com.au
A week before the conference, the Federal Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights is set to release its highly-anticipated report into the elements of a new national human rights framework, including whether an Australian Human Rights Act should be enacted.
Commission President Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher said: “An Australian Human Rights Act would be a major reform that would have a significant impact on Australia’s legal, justice, government, civil society and business sectors, so understanding the trajectory of its introduction is vital for people working across these areas.”
“Coming hot on the heels of the PJCHR’s report, the Free + Equal Conference is a not-to-be-missed gathering for anyone with an interest in human rights to be involved in a very timely discussion about how we can advance human rights in Australia and build momentum for the introduction of an Australian Human Rights Act.”
Delegates will learn about the benefits and opportunities a Human Rights Act will deliver as well as how to activate community support and engagement for this long overdue reform. Sessions will also focus on other key human rights-related issues including: enhancing Australia's anti-discrimination laws; preventing racism; improving children’s rights and youth justice; exploring the intersection of business, technology and human rights; and marking 40 years of Australia’s ground-breaking Sex Discrimination Act.
In addition to the Rights On Time panellists, other speakers include:
The conference is also part of this year’s Vivid Sydney festival, providing visiting delegates with opportunities to indulge in all the fabulous entertainment, food, music and spectacle that the Vivid Sydney festival offers. Stay for the King’s Birthday long weekend and make your time in Sydney a memorable getaway!
10% earlybird discounts on all registrations have been extended to ANZAC Day, Thursday 25 April.
Free + Equal Human Rights Conference
Rights On Time
ENDS | Media contact: media@humanrights.gov.au or +61 457 281 897
Media Release | Wednesday 3 April 2024
Esteemed international jurist, human rights advocate and former Australian High Court judge Michael Kirby is one of several new speakers and panellists who have been announced as participants in the Free + Equal Human Rights Conference during this year’s Vivid Sydney festival.
Justice Kirby will join the line-up for the Rights On Time show on the evening of Thursday 6 June in the Hyatt Regency Grand Ballroom where he’ll panel through time with Waleed Aly, Jennifer Robinson, Nazeem Hussain, Adam Spencer and others as they try to save the future from rights gone wrong.
Other speakers and panellists who have just been announced include:
Presented by the Australian Human Rights Commission, the Free + Equal Human Rights Conference will take place over 6 and 7 June at the Hyatt Regency in Sydney and will focus on revitalising Australia’s human rights framework, including efforts to introduce an Australian Human Rights Act. The conference will include 12 engaging sessions and events featuring a diverse line-up of more than 60 eminent experts, thought leaders, social justice advocates and community heroes.
Hundreds of delegates from across Australia’s human rights, civil society, legal, justice, government and business sectors are set to attend the event at which the Federal Government is expected to respond to recent reviews by the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights and the Australian Human Rights Commission into revitalising our country’s approach to human rights, including a proposal from the Commission for an Australian Human Rights Act. Find out more: www.freeandequal.com.au
Conference delegates will learn about the benefits and opportunities a Human Rights Act will deliver as well as how to activate community support and engagement for this long overdue reform. Sessions will also focus on other key human rights-related issues including: enhancing Australia's anti-discrimination laws; preventing racism; improving children’s rights and youth justice; exploring the intersection of business, technology and human rights; and marking 40 years of Australia’s ground-breaking Sex Discrimination Act.
Commission President Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher said: “An Australian Human Rights Act would be a major reform that would have a significant impact on Australia’s legal, justice, government, civil society and business sectors, so understanding the trajectory of its introduction is vital for people working across these areas.
“Delegates will also be able to get the latest information on a range of other key human rights and anti-discrimination issues, ensuring they come away informed, connected and activated in new and exciting ways which will help them develop their professional practice and personal advocacy.”
Early bird discounts of 10% are available on all conference registrations purchased by 5pm 14 April 2024.
Free + Equal Human Rights Conference
Rights On Time
ENDS | Media contact: media@humanrights.gov.au or +61 457 281 897
Media Release | Wednesday 20 March 2024
Presenter, journalist and academic Waleed Aly is among a raft of talent who have just been announced as speakers and panellists for the Free + Equal Human Rights Conference during this year’s Vivid Sydney festival.
Mr Aly will join the line-up for the Rights On Time show on the evening of Thursday 6 June in the Hyatt Regency Grand Ballroom where he’ll panel through time with ‘sleek geek’ Adam Spencer and some of Australia’s favourite legal eagles, rights advocates, and comedy stars as they try to save the future from rights gone wrong.
Other speakers and panellists who have just been announced include:
Presented by the Australian Human Rights Commission, the Free + Equal Human Rights Conference will take place over 6 and 7 June at the Hyatt Regency in Sydney and will focus on revitalising Australia’s human rights framework, including efforts to introduce an Australian Human Rights Act. The conference will include 12 engaging sessions and events featuring a diverse line-up of more than 50 eminent experts, thought leaders, social justice advocates and community heroes.
Hundreds of delegates from across Australia’s human rights, civil society, legal, justice, government and business sectors are set to attend the event at which the Federal Government is expected to respond to recent reviews by the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights and the Australian Human Rights Commission into revitalising our country’s approach to human rights, including a proposal from the Commission for an Australian Human Rights Act. Find out more: www.freeandequal.com.au
Conference delegates will learn about the benefits and opportunities a Human Rights Act will deliver as well as how to activate community support and engagement for this long overdue reform. Sessions will also focus on other key human rights-related issues including: enhancing Australia's anti-discrimination laws; preventing racism; improving children’s rights and youth justice; exploring the intersection of business, technology and human rights; and marking 40 years of Australia’s ground-breaking Sex Discrimination Act.
Commission President Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher said: “An Australian Human Rights Act would be a major reform that would have a significant impact on Australia’s legal, justice, government, civil society and business sectors, so understanding the trajectory of its introduction is vital for people working across these areas.
“Delegates will also be able to get the latest information on a range of other key human rights and anti-discrimination issues, ensuring they come away informed, connected and activated in new and exciting ways which will help them develop their professional practice and personal advocacy.”
Early bird discounts of 10% are available on all conference registrations purchased by 5pm 14 April 2024.
Free + Equal Human Rights Conference
Rights On Time
ENDS | Media contact: media@humanrights.gov.au or +61 457 281 897
Media Release | Monday 11 March 2024
Revitalising Australia’s human rights framework – including efforts to introduce an Australian Human Rights Act – will be the focus of a landmark conference in June during the Vivid Sydney festival.
Presented by the Australian Human Rights Commission, the Free + Equal Human Rights Conference will take place over 6 and 7 June at the Hyatt Regency in Sydney and will include 12 engaging sessions and events featuring a diverse line-up of more than 50 eminent experts, thought leaders, social justice advocates and community heroes.
Hundreds of delegates from across Australia’s human rights, civil society, legal, justice, government and business sectors are set to attend the event at which the Federal Government is expected to respond to recent reviews by the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights and the Australian Human Rights Commission into revitalising our country’s approach to human rights, including a proposal from the Commission for an Australian Human Rights Act. Find out more: www.freeandequal.com.au
Delegates will learn about the benefits and opportunities a Human Rights Act will deliver as well as how to activate community support and engagement for this long overdue reform. Sessions will also focus on other key human rights-related issues including: enhancing Australia's anti-discrimination laws; preventing racism; improving children’s rights and youth justice; exploring the intersection of business, technology and human rights; and marking 40 years of Australia’s ground-breaking Sex Discrimination Act.
A conference highlight will be Rights On Time, a time-travelling panel show hosted by ‘sleek geek’ Adam Spencer who’ll tussle with some of Australia’s favourite legal eagles, rights advocates, media personalities and comedy stars including Jennifer Robinson, Nazeem Hussain and Tanya Hosch as they try to save the future from rights gone wrong.
The conference will also include: eminent human rights law professors Philip Alston, Ben Saul, Kim Rubenstein, John Tobin and George Williams; human rights and social justice advocates Sisonke Msimang, Alan Wu, Tasneem Chopra, Juliana Nkrumah, Anna Brown, Samantha Connor and Zahra Al Hilaly; business and human rights expert Dr Pichamon Yeophantong; and tech, science and rights academic Prof. Toby Walsh.
Commission President Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher said: “The conference is the culmination of the Commission’s five-year Free + Equal project and will provide an important platform for advancing Australia’s approach to justice, equity, compassion and respect.
“In particular, an Australian Human Rights Act would be a major reform that would have a significant impact on Australia’s legal, justice, government, civil society and business sectors, so understanding the trajectory of its introduction is vital for people working across these areas.
“Delegates will also be able to get the latest information on a range of other key human rights and anti-discrimination issues, ensuring they come away informed, connected and activated in new and exciting ways which will help them develop their professional practice and personal advocacy.”
The conference is also part of this year’s Vivid Sydney festival, providing visiting delegates with opportunities to indulge in all the fabulous entertainment, food, music and spectacle that the Vivid Sydney festival offers. Stay for the King’s Birthday long weekend and make your time in Sydney a memorable getaway!
15% super early bird discounts are available on all conference registrations purchased by 5pm Monday 18 March.
Free + Equal Human Rights Conference
Rights On Time
Media contact: media@humanrights.gov.au or +61 457 281 897