The Commonwealth Attorney-General appoints Emeritus Professor Gillian Triggs to the Australian Human Rights Commission as its President. Professor Triggs hopes to focus her Presidency on the implementation in Australian law of the human rights treaties to which Australia is a
In September 2012 the Australian Government re-commences transferring asylum seekers who have arrived in Australia by boat to Nauru. These transferees’ claims for protection will be processed under the laws of Nauru.
The Multicultural Youth Sports Partnership (MYSP) program is an initiative of the Australian Government and forms a key part of Australia’s multicultural policy. The objective of the program is to create sustainable opportunities for youth from new and emerging communities
In February 2011, the government launched The People of Australia – Australia’s Multicultural Policy. One of the policy’s key initiatives is to provide funding for Multicultural Arts and Festivals Grants (MAFG). The Department of Immigration and citizenship invites application for grants.
The Prime Minister launches the Australian Multicultural Council. The AMC’s priorities are to advise the government on multicultural affairs, have a formal role in a strengthened access and equity strategy, have a research and advisory role around multicultural policy, assist
The Report of the Expert Panel on Asylum Seekers is released. The panel makes 22 recommendations to shape Australian policy making on asylum seeker issues. It is the Panel’s view that the balance of risk and incentive must be shifted in favour
To support the Australian Government’s new multicultural policy, The People of Australia, the National Anti-Racism Strategy is launched. The Strategy, which will be implemented between 2012 and 2015, has been developed through a partnership led by the Australian Human Rights Commission. It includes
The Stronger Futures policy, a multifaceted social policy of the Australian government concerning the aboriginal population of the Northern Territory is passed by the Senate. The policy intends to address key issues that exist within these communities such as unemployment, school attendance
The Prime Minister invites the former chief of Australia’s defence force to lead an expert panel to report on the best way forward for Australia to prevent asylum seekers risking their lives on dangerous boat journeys to Australia.
From late 2001 to June this year, 964 asylum seekers and crew have been lost at sea on boats carrying asylum seekers to Australia. Of these, 604 people have lost their lives since October 2009.