A Message from the Commissioner

Sometimes I am asked what the Commission does. 

My standard response is that we perform the various functions that are prescribed for us under the NT
Anti-Discrimination Act (‘the Act’) such as investigating, conciliating and hearing complaints, attempting to improve conditions affecting groups subjected to prohibited conduct, delivering public education and training programmes, promoting understanding and acceptance of the principles of equal opportunity and advising Territorians of their rights and responsibilities under the Act.

However, of late I’ve become interested in the untapped potential of the NT community to promote cultural diversity, adopt non-discriminatory attitudes and tolerate difference.  ADC is an active player, but significant social change is only possible if the whole community embraces these ideals.

Recently I accepted an invitation to speak about the Federal Intervention into the NT at a Race Relations Forum in Auckland.  There I discovered that the NZ Human Rights Commission actively challenges the community to do something positive for race relations, promote cultural diversity, initiate community relationships, register projects with the NZ Diversity Action Program and connect with other participating organisations.

Accordingly, I invite people to send positive stories, initiatives, photos to the ADC email address: administrationadc@nt.gov.au or online on our feedback form.

We will record responses on our website.

In a similar vein I remind readers that 2008 is the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declarations of Human Rights (1948).  All of us have internationally recognised rights to freedom from discrimination, freedom of expression, personal safety, equal opportunity, and to participate in public affairs.  Newcomers to the NT have the same fundamental rights as the rest of us.

Whilst encouraging everybody to exercise their own rights and freedoms, we must also remember our responsibility to respect the rights and freedoms of others.  This is one way of making our own personal contribution to community harmony.

TONY FITZGERALD
ANTI-DISCRIMINATION COMMISSIONER

22 October 2008