Animating the Human Rights Debate in South Australia
A Human Rights Day Symposium
The
University of South Australia Law School hosted a Symposium on the 10
December 2008 to mark the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights. The event, convened by Associate Professor Wendy Lacey
and Professor Paul Fairall, involved the collaboration of the
University’s recently formed Peace-keeping, Defence and Security
Research and Innovation Cluster and the South Australian Equal
Opportunity Commission.
Drawing together around 100 academic and government lawyers, security
and defence experts and members of the South Australian community, the
Symposium was designed to stimulate the debate on issues surrounding
human rights protection in an increasingly security-driven policy
climate. Highlighting the timely nature of the Symposium, the day
coincided with the announcement by the Commonwealth Attorney-General of
the national consultation on a federal Charter of Human Rights.
Sessions included papers on domestic and international imperatives for
an Australian Charter of Rights, institutional and remedial issues
related to the means and methods for protecting rights, the types of
rights and obligations suitable for inclusion in a Charter, and issues
concerning the challenge to human rights posed by security threats and
the need for governments to effectively manage those threats.
Speakers included:
- Professor Ivan Shearer, UniSA (previously Emeritus professor at the University of Sydney)
- Ian Govey, Deputy Secretary, Commonwealth Attorney-General's Department
- Justice Chris Kourakis, Justice of the Supreme Court of South Australia
- Professor Geoff Lindell, University of Adelaide
- Linda Matthews, Commissioner for Equal Opportunity, South Australia
- Stephen Pallaras QC, Director of Public Prosecutions, South Australia
- Dr Steven Churches, UniSA and Elliott Johnston Chambers, Adelaide
- Ms Kate Eastman, Barrister, St James Chambers, Sydney Bar
- Claire O'Connor, Barrister, Anthony Mason Chambers
- Associate Professor Jill Slay, UniSA
- Professor Paul Fairall, UniSA
- Associate Professor Wendy Lacey, UniSA
To view the symposium papers please click on the appropriate presenter's name.
Book Launch
The Symposium was followed by a reception where Professor Ivan
Shearer launched the recently published book written by Associate
Professor Wendy Lacey. Dr Lacey’s book was based on her PhD thesis
which Professor Shearer had previously examined.
'Implementing Human Rights Norms: Judicial Discretion & Use of
Unincorporated Conventions'
Presidian Legal Publications, 2008
This book examines the influence which international human rights conventions have on Australian judges when exercising their discretionary powers. It aims to provide a legal basis for judges to increase the protection of human rights through the use of unincorporated conventions.
For more information about the book please visit Presidian Legal Publications.
View photos of the book launch