Tag Archives: Human Rights Commission

FRANK BRENNAN SJ. Let’s amend 18C to say what it means

Posted on 27 March 2017 by John Menadue

The debate over section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act (18C) has gone on for far too long. I welcome the Turnbull government’s attempt to amend the provision, while being disappointed yet again at the petty politics played on both … Continue reading →

Posted in Human Rights, Media, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

RICHARD WOOLCOTT. A foreign policy for Australia.

Posted on 2 February 2017 by John Menadue

Our Prime Minister and Foreign Minister often refer to the “rules based world order.” This “order”, of course, was established primarily by the United States after the end of World War 2.   The “rules” have been disregarded by the US itself when it … Continue reading →

Posted in Defence/Security, International Affairs | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

TIM SOUTPHOMMASANE. Bamboo ceiling and race relations.

Posted on 1 June 2016 by John Menadue

Many of us have good reason for thinking that the state of our race relations is under challenge. We frequently see stories about people being racially vilified on public transport, and our recent public debates are punctuated by controversies about … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Human Rights, Media, Politics, Refugees, Immigration | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

John Menadue. Transfield, Manus and Nauru

Posted on 24 September 2015 by John Menadue

Transfield and its subcontractors are profiteering from lucrative contracts to run detention centres on behalf of the Australian government on Manus and Nauru. All the indications are that there is widespread abuse and oppression particularly on Nauru. It is a … Continue reading →

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John Menadue. Why are we so cruel? The problem starts at the top.

Posted on 30 August 2015 by John Menadue

The news out of Manus and particularly Nauru shows how callous we have become. It is not that we are always as cold-hearted as this. The response to the attacks on Adam Goodes and the murder of an AFL football … Continue reading →

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Robert Manne. Human Rights Commission and Gillian Triggs.

Posted on 13 June 2015 by John Menadue

Current Affairs The Australian government and The Australian are at it again, attacking Gillian Triggs. I re-post below an article by Robert Manne from earlier this year.  John Menadue Readers of John Menadue’s blog will be aware that a vile … Continue reading →

Posted in Human Rights, Politics, Refugees, Immigration | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Kim Oates.  The Forgotten Children

Posted on 17 February 2015 by John Menadue

I have just read the report of the Australian Human Rights Commission on Children in Detention “The Forgotten Children”. It is clear, factual and unemotional.  It is supported by evidence and is non-partisan. It is not on the side of … Continue reading →

Posted in Human Rights, Politics, Refugees, Immigration | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Marie Coleman. Human Rights Commission and the forgotten children.

Posted on 17 February 2015 by John Menadue

In February 2015 the Royal Commission into Child Sexual Abuse found that Cardinal George Pell, the former Archbishop of Sydney, had placed the church’s financial interests above his obligation to a victim of childhood sexual abuse. In February 2015 the … Continue reading →

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John Menadue. Scott Morrison at the Human Rights Commission.

Posted on 26 August 2014 by John Menadue

Minister Morrison, assisted by the Secretary of his department, continued his aggressive ways at the hearing on August 22. He said that his policies discouraged asylum seekers risking their lives at sea. He described himself as the champion of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Human Rights, Politics, Refugees, Immigration | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Mike Steketee. Mandatory detention punishes but it does not deter.

Posted on 4 August 2014 by John Menadue

“It has not been easy for organised world opinion in the United Nations or elsewhere to act directly in respect of some of the dreadful events which have driven so many people from their own homes and their own fatherland … Continue reading →

Posted in International Affairs, Refugees, Immigration | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Simon Rice. Racial vilification, social values and humility

Posted on 14 April 2014 by John Menadue

I have spent a professional lifetime trying to get people to know about (let alone respect) anti-discrimination law, and suddenly everyone knows about ‘section 18C’.  For all the wrong reasons. A right reason for knowing about 18C would be because … Continue reading →

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