RDA@40 conference On 19 and 20 February 2015, the Commission hosted in Sydney a scholarly conference that was addressed by leading scholars and experts in rights, public law and multiculturalism. Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove also delivered a special address at the conference. The conference was attended by more than 100 people on each of the two days. Conference participants included academic researchers, lawyers, advocates and representatives from government, society, and multicultural and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The conference reflected a assessment of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth). They covered issues concerning the historical background and evolution of the legislation, the Act’s impact on public law and human rights, the ongoing role of the Act in addressing racism (including racial vilification and and systemic outcomes achieved through conciliation and litigation. The speakers at the conference included Gwenda Tavan, Andrew Markus, Sarah Joseph, George Williams, Beth Gaze, Marcia Langton, Hilary Charlesworth, Duncan Ivison, Geoffrey Levey, Peter Balint, Andrew Jakubowicz, Kevin Dunn, Gail Mason, Kate Eastman, Mariam Veiszadeh, Diana MacTiernan, Simon Rice, Luke McNamara, Kath Gelber, Tracey Raymond, Sarah Pritchard, Jonathan Hunyor and Shelley Bielefeld. The Commission published a selection of conference papers, Perspectives on the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth), on 26 August 2015. Some presenters at the conference have also published, or are planning to publish, their research in academic peer-reviewed journals – reflecting the role the conference has played in facilitating and encouraging academic research on racial discrimination. Book: I’m Not Racist But… 40 of the Racial Discrimination Act The Commission, in partnership with NewSouth Publishing (an imprint of the University of New Wales Press), published I’m Not Racist But… 40 Years of the Racial Discrimination Act in June 2015. Written and edited by the Race Discrimination Commissioner, the book reflects on the national experience of racism and the progress that has been made since the introduction of the Act. It provides an account of the history of racism, the limits of free speech, the dimensions of bigotry and the role of legislation in our society’s response to discrimination.
Appendix 4 – Speaking engagements for the 40th anniversary of the RDA 23 March 2015 Lecture at Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane 9 2015 ‘What role does the law play in eliminating racism?’ lecture at Curtin Public Policy Forum, Curtin University, Perth 14 May 2015 ‘We need to talk race’, lecture, Cranlana Alumni Programme, Melbourne 20 May 2015 Seminar on the Racial Discrimination Act and free speech, Juris Doctor course on ‘Philosophical Foundations of Law’, Melbourne Law School, Melbourne 21 May 2015 Panellist at Sydney Writers’ Festival: ‘Freedom of speech: A loaded gun?’, Sydney 11 June 2015 Anniversary event: ‘40 years of the Racial Discrimination Act’, Sydney Launch of ‘I’m not a racist but… 40 of the Racial Discrimination Act’, authored by Dr Tim Soutphommasane, Sydney 17 June 2015 In conversation with Jeremy Fernandez, Gleebooks, Sydney 19 June 2015 Australian Lawyers for Human Rights Seminar, University of Adelaide, Adelaide Australian Refugee Association 40th Anniversary Oration, University of South Australia, Adelaide 23 June 2015 Australian Public Service Human Rights Network, ‘Race Multiculturalism and the Constitution’ seminar, Canberra 25 June 2015 Presentation to Melbourne Limited, Melbourne ‘In conversation with…’, Readings Bookshop, Melbourne 7 July 2015 ‘Race relations: how much have we learned?’ National Press Club address, Canberra 5 August 2015 ‘I’m not a racist but…’ discussion at Eltham Community Centre, Melbourne 22 August 2015 Inside Australia’s Immigration Policy’, panel discussion, Melbourne Writers Festival, Melbourne