Forthcoming events
Social Justice Seminar Series - November Seminar
The Sex Discrimination Act after twenty five years: what is its role in eliminating gender inequality and discrimination in Australia? |
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The Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth) was adopted against vocal opposition in 1984, and this seminar will examine its effects and achievements after twenty five years of operation, in particular in relation to employment. The practical and symbolic impact of a national prohibition of sex discrimination was enormous, but after the Act's initial impact, discrimination became more subtle or covert, and more difficult to challenge. Workforce practices moved from exclusion of women to expecting them to act as if they were men. This seminar will examine the impact of the Act on employment, and consider the factors that limit its ability to eliminate discrimination. In December 2008, a Senate Committee recommended changes to the Act to strengthen it, but did not address whether these changes would respond to these concerns about lack of progress. The seminar will consider whether reforming the Act would move us closer to its avowed objective of 'eliminating discrimination against persons on the ground of sex ...' and 'promot[ing] recognition and acceptance within the community of the principle of the equality of men and women'. Dr Beth Gaze is an Associate Professor in Melbourne Law School, where she teaches and researches in the area of anti-discrimination law and gender equality as well as administrative law. She has been involved with recent reviews of the Victorian Equal Opportunity Act, and has conducted empirical research on the enforcement of the federal anti-discriminator laws, and the intersection between non-discrimination law and freedom of religion. She is a member of the Centre for Employment and Labour Relations Law, and the Centre for Comparative Constitutional Studies. When: Wednesday 4 November, 1-2pm Where: Theatre D, Old Arts Building |
Law Enforcement and Harm Reduction in Southeast Asia |
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In partnership with the Nossal Institute for Global Health, The Social Justice Intiative are hosting a Seminar to be opened by the Hon. Bob McMullan MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Internatioanl Development Assistance, and co-chaired yb the Nossal Institute's Nick Crofts, Senior Research Fellow, and Porfessor Rob Moodie, Chair of Global Helathm will bring together Australian and regional expertise from the law enforcement and health sector to explore issues of HIV and injecting drug use in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and beyond. Speakers include representatives of the Nossal Institute, the Insitute for Social Development Studies (Vietnam), the Natioanl Institute of Public Health (Cambodia), the University of Health Sciences (Laos), the Burnet Institue and the Nautilus Institute (RMIT). When: 30th November, 2-5pm Where:Executive Lounge RSVP: Dr Tim Moore, tim.moore@unimelb.edu.au |
The Social Justice Initiative runs a variety of research-related events throughout the year. The SJI aims to strengthen the growing interest in questions of social justice with a range of events throughout 2009 and beyond.