Quotes


"A future where all Australians, whatever their origins, are truly equal partners, with equal opportunities and with an equal stake in shaping the next chapter in the history of this great country, Australia."
Kevin Rudd, Prime Minister of Australia

"It is of grave concern that we still live in a society where physical, sexual and emotional acts of violence against women are prevalent on our streets, in the workplace and at home. Every woman has the right to live a life free of violence. This is a fundamental human rights issue."
Susan HallidayFederal Sex Discrimination Commissioner

"But, international human rights norms or ‘soft law’ could be better utilised as a ‘mobilising force’ to strengthen local indigenous institutions: cultural, social and economic. As just institutions promote an ethic of non-violence, so too will the ‘national crisis’ diminish."
Dr Ann-Claire Larsen, Justice Coordinator, School of Law and Justice, Edith Cowen University.

"The protection of human rights to promote the dignity of the individual is too important a matter for symbolic gestures alone. It is only through the pursuit of practical and effective efforts to promote human rights that we show our real commitment to the welfare of individuals and society."
Alexander Downer, former Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs

"Family violence and abuse is a scourge that is causing untold damage and trauma among Indigenous communities. Indigenous men, women and children are entitled to live their lives in safety and full human dignity. This means without fear of family violence or abuse. This is their cultural, and their human right."
Tom Calma, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner

“The Declaration has a moral power which is of enormous weight and influence. The statement of the rights represent a goal, or a standard, to which every man can look and with which he can compare what he in fact enjoys. The fact that no country was prepared to vote against the Declaration indicates its compelling moral force.”
H. V. Evatt, former Deputy Prime Minister of Australia 1949

"Benchmarks and targets for achieving these fundamental human rights for indigenous Australians are not only possible, but are now firm commitments. Let us hope that an indigenous baby born in 2030 has the same life expectation, the same access to quality health services and the same life outcomes as non-indigenous Australians."
Tom Calma, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner