Including the marginalised - social inclusion and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
Tom Calma
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner and Race Discrimination Commissioner, Australian Human Rights Commission
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‘By almost any measure, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can be considered to be at the margins of Australian society. We are over represented against all indicators of social and economic disadvantage. We lack a national representative voice and we are subject to policies and practices over which we have little say. Many of us live in regional, rural and remote locations with limited access to services and support.’

Commissioner Calma will discuss the challenges and the opportunities for including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Australian institutions of governance and decision-making. His presentation will describe practices that facilitate social inclusion. He will also review policies and practices that must be changed if Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are to have equal access to the opportunities available in Australian society.

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