Extracts from Bush Talks

There will be some public hearings and discussion groups. Written comments, submissions and community, family or individual experiences can be provided to the inquiry. The closing date is 30 September 1999.

MEETING OTHER ESSENTIAL NEEDS

Everyone, as a member of society, … is entitled to realization … of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality. [Universal Declaration of Human Rights article 22]

Commission projects

The States Parties … recognize the right of everyone … to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress and its applications. [International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights article 15]

1. In 1999 the Race Discrimination Commissioner, Zita Antonios, will follow up the Commission’s report on the supply of water to Indigenous communities by reviewing particular aspects of the arrangements for supply.
2. A major aspect of the Commission’s National Inquiry into Education in Rural and Remote Australia will be the quality of telecommunications support to rural and remote schools and for distance education including for Internet access, video conferencing and teacher in-service training.

VALUING CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

Special measures of protection and assistance should be taken on behalf of all children and young persons without any discrimination for reasons of parentage or other conditions. [International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights article 10]

States Parties undertake to ensure the child such protection and care as is necessary for his or her well-being … [Convention on the Rights of the Child article 3]

Commission projects

In all actions concerning children … the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration. [Convention on the Rights of the Child article 3]

1. All government activity which affects children, including local government spending decisions, the actions of police officers, hospital closures and development approvals, must take the best interests of children into account. The Commission will publish a Guide on taking children’s best interests into account for the information of all sectors of government and of private social welfare institutions which are also covered.
2. The Commission continues to evaluate and comment upon State and Territory juvenile justice systems. In the 1997 report Seen and heard: priority for children in the legal process the Commission, jointly with the Australian Law Reform Commission, recommended the development of national standards for juvenile justice. The report detailed many of the provisions which should be included and the Commission is committed to pursuing the further development and implementation of national standards. The report also found that mandatory imprisonment for juvenile offenders in WA and the NT violates their human rights.
3. The Commission will co-ordinate a National Program on the Human Rights of Young Gays and Lesbians in Rural Australia. The program will be undertaken in partnership with a wide range of community organisations. It will aim to raise awareness of the serious problems faced by these young people and to develop medium and long-term strategies to overcome them. The program will establish a national network of young rural gays and lesbians and relevant organisations to facilitate advocacy, mutual support, exchange of information and collaboration through joint projects. The program is funded, in part, by the Australian Youth Foundation.

BUILDING COMMUNITIES

… recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world. [Universal Declaration of Human Rights preamble]

Commission projects

1. In 1999 the Commission will seek to establish effective benchmarks for disability access to regional airlines to increase equity of access for people with disabilities. This inquiry will consider broadly the issues of access by people with disabilities to regional air services including the hardships caused when access is impossible and the costs which provision of access would impose on the airlines.
2. In 1998 the then Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Mick Dodson, launched the Tracking Your Rights resource package. The package will be used in an Indigenous community education program on rights, anti-discrimination laws, remedies and alternative dispute resolution options.