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What's New
You are here: Home > What's New
- New National Anti-Discrimination Gateway
The Federal Attorney-General has announced the establishment of the National Anti-Discrimination Gateway. The website provides brief information and links to all Commonwealth and State anti-discrimination bodies. For more on human rights in Australia see the Attorney General's Department website here.
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World Congress on Family Law and Children's Rights
The 5th World Congress on Family Law and Children's Rights - Children Caught in Conflict - will be held in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada from 23-26 August 2009. Read more about the World Congress>>
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- 2009 EOC Training Calendar now available
Training programs are provided on a regular basis throughout the year. These courses are open to anyone to apply and provide networking opportunities across organisations and industries.
Here is a list of courses available for the second half of 2009 with information on how to register
- Equal Opportunity Commission Disability Access and Inclusion Plan
The Equal Opportunity Commission has developed a Disability Access and Inclusion Plan 2008-2012 in accordance
with the requirements of the Disability Services Act 1993 (as amended). The plan ensures people with disabilities,
their families and carers are able to fully access the department's range of services, information and facilities.
The department’s plan was developed in consultation with stakeholders and is now available to the community.
The plan contains strategies the department will implement to address six outcomes:- Services
- Events
- Building and facilities
- Information
- Complaints mechanisms, and
- Consultation processes.
An advertisement has been placed in the West Australian, seeking community feedback.
Reporting a specific Commission access issue
In reviewing the plan, you may also wish to provide us with feedback on specific access issues you have encountered
with our services, information or facilities. Download a Disability Access and Inclusion Feedback Form to tell us about
your experiences. Alternatively, you may also report your issue to the department on (08) 9216 3900
For people with disabilities to have the same opportunities as others to participate in community life it is important
that the services and facilities provided to the community address the access requirements of people with disabilities.
The Commission is committed to developing and maintaining effective inclusive policies, practices and structures to
ensure that people with disabilities, their families and carers are able to fully access the range of the Commission’s
services and facilities.
The Commission acknowledges its responsibilities with regard to the standards contained in State
(Disability Services Act 1993 and Equal Opportunity Act 1984) and Commonwealth (Disability Discrimination Act 1992)
legislation.
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Yalilarra - 'to dream'
The Equal Opportunity Commission and Department for Communities, Women’s Policy hosted the first Perth screening of the inspirational film Yajilarra – ‘to dream’. This empowering story describes the Fitzroy Valley women’s fight to have alcohol restrictions implemented in their community. After 50 funerals in one year and 13 suicides in 13 months this group of Aboriginal women led by the Marninwarntikura Women’s Resource Centre in the Fitzroy valley said ‘enough was enough.’ The film is narrated by June Oscar, Kimberley community leader and head of the Women’s Resource Centre, who also spoke at the launch and her speech is available here.
The event was held at the Aboriginal Advancement Centre in Perth after WA Equal Opportunity Commissioner Yvonne Henderson recently attended the week-long Women’s Bush Meeting at Wamali Springs in July PDF Word.
The documentary is available to order by email from: Melanie.hogan@kanyini.com or visit the website www.kanyini.com
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Accommodating everyone
Yvonne Henderson, the Commissioner for Equal Opportunity in WA, will launch the report of the Commission's inquiry inot whether persons from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and Aboriginal people are being discriminated against on the basis of their race either directly or indiectly in the private rental housing.
Date: Monday, 22 June 2009
Time: 10.30am - 11.30am
Venue: Equal Opportunity Commission, Level 2, 141 St George's Terrace, Perth.
For more details click here.
The Equal Opportunity Commission and the Human Rights Commission are conducting a workshop for community sector organisations addressing:
- what is the National Human Rights Consultation?
- how could human rights be better protected in Australia?
- tools and tips for writing submissions
- how can your organisation participate in the Consultation?
- how can you help others to participate in the Consultation?
For more information and registration click here.(pdf ; Word)
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National Human Rights Consultation - Community Consultations Perth
The National Human Rights Consultation Committee will be visiting places throughout regional and remote Australia as well as major towns and cities during the first half of 2009. In Western Australia, consultations will be held in Perth on April 30 and May 1. Read more about the Community Consultations and/or register to attend>>
The EOC is joining with the Human Rights Commission in a consultation for community sector organisations on May 1. For more information and registration click here.(pdf ; Word)
- International Women's Day breakfast 2009
(March 6, 2009)
Women refugees - stories of survival
Opening comments by JANET HOLMES À COURT, patron of the Association for Services to Torture and Trauma Survivors (ASeTTS)
GUEST SPEAKERS:
Hawa Sesay: Hawa came to Australia from Sierra Leone in 2003. She arrived pregnant and with two small children. Her husband remained in Africa and did not reach Australia until three years later.
Jennifer Addy: Jennifer is the Senior Coordinator of the Clinical Team at ASeTTS and has worked in a variety of roles within the organisation including counselling and leadership programs. Jennifer attended the Harvard University Program in Refugee Trauma last year and is currently completing studies in Global Mental Health: Trauma and Recovery.Date: Friday March 6, 2009
Time: 7.15am for a 7.30am start - until 9.00am
Venue: The Grand River Ballroom at the Sheraton Hotel, 207 Adelaide Terrace, Perth
Cost: $40 (GST inclusive) per person includes plated hot breakfast.For more details ring Robin on 08 9216 3900 or email us at eoc@eoc.wa.gov.au. Register here.
2009
- Civil marraige for same-sex couples (November, 19 2009)
Australian Council of Human Rights Agencies (ACHRA) position about the law of marriage and the situation of same-sex couples. (pdf, Word)
- Employers must ensure workplace policies are implemented and monitored (November, 18 2009)
Employers should not rely on existing policies and training as their only defence against complaints from employees following two recent sexual harassment court decisions, WA Equal Opportunity Commissioner Yvonne Henderson said today. (pdf, Word)
- Breastfeeding laws must be passed (November, 13 2009)
Equal Opportunity Commissioner, Yvonne Henderson today urged the State Government not to delay introducing breastfeeding legislation until next year which could leave mothers facing further unnecessary discrimination. (pdf, Word)
- Commisioner welcomes release of Human Rights Bill Consultation Report (October, 8 2009)
Equal Opportunity Commissioner, Yvonne Henderson has welcomed the release of the National Human Rights Consultation Committee's report and said that overwhelming support by those consulted showed Australians wanted a Bill of Rights. (pdf, Word)
- Queensland disability support workers win pay rises in equal remuneration claim (October, 9 2009)
"A great win in the fight for equal pay", was how the WA Equal Opportunity Commissioner Yvonne Henderson described a recent decision by the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission. (pdf, Word)
- Pregnancy and maternity leave discrimination still continues (September, 23 2009)
Equal Opportunity Commissioner, Yvonne Henderson said today that employers continue to discriminate against pregnant women in the workplace, with t he number of complaints investigated doubling this financial year. (pdf, Word)
- Increasing community awareness of disrcimination against Aboriginals (September, 2 2009)
Aboriginal people were identified as the most frequently mentioned group of people likely to be discriminated against in a recent community survey of WA residents. (pdf, Word)
- WA the worst in the Nation - Gender Pay Gap (August, 31 2009)
The gender pay gap in Western Australia continues to be the worst in the nation. Ahead of Equal Pay Day tomorrow, WA Equal Opportunity Commissioner Yvonne Henderson said that in WA female earnings are on average 26% lower than male earnings. (pdf, Word)
- Discrimination in the workplace - it's good to talk about it (July 30, 2009)
New reserach shows that the workplace is now the second most popular source of informtion for prople to learn about and discuss equal opportunity and discriminiation issues.(pdf, Word)
- Commissioner supports Fitzroy Valley Aboriginal women’s fight to maintain alcohol restrictions (July 10, 2009)
The WA Equal Opportunity Commissioner, Yvonne Henderson, today gave her support to the Fitzroy Valley Aboriginal women in their fight to maintain alcohol restrictions in their community. (pdf, Word)
- Report on Perth racism reflects numbers of complaints received by Commission (June 26, 2009)
WA Equal Opportunity Commissioner Yvonne Henderson says a national survey that found Perth shows greater prejudice against minority groups than other Australians, reflects figures showing that in eight of the past ten years race discrimination has been the number one complaint received by the Commission. (PDF, Word)
- Private Rental Inquiry - 'Accomodating Everyone' (June 22, 2009)
Commissioner Henderson today launched a report on an inquiry into whether people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and Aboriginal people were being discriminated against on the basis of their race in the private housing rental market. (PDF, Word).
Full Report (PDF)
- Workers' Compensation Review must ensure better cover for over 65s (June 12, 2009)
Equal Opportunity Commissioner Yvonne Henderson today detailed the urgent need to amend the WA workers' compensation laws to cover older workers as part of the Rudd Governments Plan for people to work until 67 years old. (pdf, Word)
- WA Commissioner welcomes paid maternity leave (May 11, 2009)
Equal Opportunity Commissioner Yvonne Henderson today welcomed the Federal Government’s commitment to fund a paid maternity leave scheme saying it would give security and confidence to working mothers and was essential for keeping women in the workforce. (pdf, Word)
- Vilification laws needed to tackle racists (April 8, 2009)
The Equal Opportunity Commission has again called on State Parliament to urgently pass racial vilification laws following a racist graffiti attack on a Rockingham mosque on the weekend. (pdf , Word)
- Paid maternity leave scheme will help both women and the economy (March 3, 2009)
Equal Opportunity Commissioner Yvonne Henderson today urged the Federal Government to include paid maternity leave in this year's Budget saying women should be able to access it without fear of losing their jobs and that the scheme would help the economy during the economic downturn. (pdf , Word)
- Application for 'adults only' knocked back by SAT (February 12, 2009)
Accommodation providers who seek to exclude children should be aware that such behaviour may be unlawful, WA’s Equal Opportunity Commissioner said today. (pdf , Word)
- Commissioner welcomes Federal Government’s anti-racism drive (January 28)
The Western Australian Equal Opportunity Commissioner Yvonne Henderson has today welcomed the Federal Government’s move to make funds available to tackle racism. (pdf, Word)
- Increase in men wanting workplace flexibility (January 15)
Equal Opportunity Commissioner Yvonne Henderson said today there is small but significant number of men complaining about their inability to access flexible work arrangements to care for children or other family members.(pdf , Word)
- Sex equality in the workplace still has a long way to go (January 13)
Equal Opportunity Commissioner Yvonne Henderson has supported Federal Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick’s warning this week that sex discrimination and gender equality laws are failing Australian women. (pdf , Word)