With so many issues currently having a significant impact on the rights of people across Australia, a groundbreaking national conference taking place during Vivid Sydney Festival will explore a range of new approaches to protecting and promoting human rights in Australia.
These and many other issues will frame discussions at the Liberty and Equality Human Rights Conference on 6th and 7th June, including concerns about racism and free speech arising from the fallout from the Gaza war, Australia’s domestic violence, youth justice, immigration and housing crisis, discrimination against Indigenous and transgender people, and responses to the recent recommendations of the Disability Royal Commission.
The conference, hosted by the Australian Human Rights Commission, will bring together hundreds of representatives from Australia’s human rights, civil society, legal, judicial, government and business sectors to discuss a range of human rights and social justice issues, including paving the way for the introduction of the Australian Human Rights Act and reforming Australia’s race, sex, disability and age discrimination laws.
The conference comes a week before the Federal Parliament’s Joint Committee on Human Rights is due to publish its long-awaited report on elements of a new national human rights framework, including whether there should be an Australian Human Rights Act and whether Australia’s suite of anti-discrimination laws should be updated.
Commission Honorary Chair Professor Rosalind Croucher said: “Human rights are at the forefront of many of the issues hitting the headlines today, so our conference is very timely as we explore how we can improve justice, fairness, compassion and respect for Australians.”
“The proposed changes to the Australian Human Rights Act and Australia’s anti-discrimination laws are major reforms that will have significant implications for Australia’s legal, judicial, government, civil society and business sectors, so it is vital that students of law, politics, business, culture and others working in these sectors understand the direction of these proposals.”
“Taking place on the heels of the PJCHR investigation, the Free and Equal Conference is an unmissable opportunity for anyone interested in human rights to take part in a very timely discussion about how to advance human rights in Australia and build momentum towards a revitalised human rights framework with the Australian Human Rights Act at its centre.”
More than 60 renowned experts, thought leaders, social justice advocates and community heroes will deliver a vibrant and provocative blend of opinions, insights and perspectives at what is expected to be Australia’s largest human rights event in 2024.
Waleed Ali, Jennifer Robison, Michael Kirby, Adam Spencer and Naseem Hussain will kick off the conference with the future-shattering Lights on Time panel show on Thursday 6 June, while Ten News First presenter Narelda Jacobs will moderate the all-day conference on Friday 7 June, featuring more than 50 diverse speakers and panellists across 12 fascinating sessions and events. For more information, visit www.freeandequal.com.au
Delegates will learn about the benefits and opportunities that human rights law provides, and how to galvanize community support and engagement for this long-overdue reform. Sessions will also focus on other important human rights-related issues, including preventing racism, improving children’s rights and youth justice, exploring the intersection of business, technology and human rights, and marking the 40th anniversary of Australia’s landmark Sex Discrimination Act.
Keynote addresses will be co-delivered by leading international law scholar and former High Court Judge Michael Kirby and leading international human rights lawyer Jennifer Robinson (representing Julian Assange). Other speakers include:
All but one of Australia’s National Human Rights Commissioners: Katie Kiss, Robert Fitzgerald, Giri Sivaraman, Ann Hollonds, Dr Anna Coady and Lorraine Finlay (Disability Discrimination Commissioner Rosemary Case is overseas) Prominent human rights law professors and practitioners: Philip Alston, Kim Rubenstein, George Williams, John Tobin, Chris Ronalds, Kate Eastman, Amanda Saad, Sarah Moulds and Geoffrey Levy UNSW Chief Scientist Professor Toby Walsh, Australian Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind and Human Rights Law Centre CEO Caitlin Reiger Indigenous rights advocates and academics:June Oscar, Carly Warner, Naleen Young and Vanessa Turnbull-Roberts; Professor Ramona Vijeyaratha, Alan Wu and Danny Fadul; disability rights advocates Dr Dinesh Palipana, Samantha Connor, Natalie Wade and Hannah Devine; LGBTIQ+ advocates Anna Brown, Ghassan Kasisi and Aisha Zaharin; youth advocates Zahra Al Hilary, Selina Blackley, Anjali Sharma and Kpakwashe Matangira; business and human rights experts Dr Pichamon Yophantong, Dr Meg Brody, Siobhan Toohill, Sarah McGrath, Professor Christy Muir and Ilona Miller; purpose media and messaging experts Sam Koslowski, Hannah Ferguson, Mark Chenery and Gemma Pitcher.
The conference is also part of this year’s Vivid Sydney Festival, giving attendees the opportunity to enjoy all the great entertainment, food, music and shows that the Vivid Sydney Festival has to offer. Make your time in Sydney a memorable getaway by staying over the King’s Birthday long weekend.
Free + Equal Human Rights Conference
Thursday 6th June, 5pm – 8:30pm + Friday 7th June, 8:30am – 5:30pm Hyatt Regency, Sydney Registration fees $130 – $650 | Book now: www.freeandequal.com.au
Right on Time
Thursday 6 June, 7pm – 8.30pm Hyatt Regency Grand Ballroom, Sydney Tickets $35 – $150 | Book now: www.freeandequal.com.au
ENDS | Media contact: [email protected] or +61 457 281 897