Address details


Down Syndrome NSW
Level 6/410 Church St, North Parramatta
9am-5pm Monday - Thursday
T: 9841 444


Thursday, 5 May 2016

Full-time Disability Discrimination Commissioner appointed today

Government Appoints Full-Time Disability Commissioner
ProBono Australia News, 5 May 2016
The federal government has appointed a full-time Disability Discrimination Commissioner – selecting former chief executive officer of People with Disability Australia Alastair McEwin for the role.

Attorney General Senator George Brandis said McEwin had been a longstanding advocate for the rights of people with disability, and had represented the interests of people with disability at all levels. McEwin is also a former manager of the Australian Centre for Disability Law ...


Comment from People with Disability Australia:
People with Disability Australia warmly welcomes the announcement today by the Attorney General of three new Commissioners for the Australian Human Rights Commission:
  • Mr Alistair McEwin as Disability Discimination Commissioner
  • the Hon Dr Kay Patterson as Age Discrimination Commissioner
  • Mr Edward Santow as Human Rights Commissioner
In particular, we warmly welcome Alistair McEwin who is well known to us at PWDA as a former CEO and strong champion of the rights of people with disability.

We look forward to working with all three new Commissioners in progressing the rights of people with disability.

Added 6 May 2016 - background on new Disability Discrimination Commissioner's experience of disability and advocacy:
Samantha Donovan, ABC News, 5 May 2016
Deaf Society president Alastair McEwin will take up the role as Disability Discrimination Commissioner at the Australian Human Rights Commission in late July, filling the vacancy left by Graeme Innes in mid-2014.

He takes the reins from Susan Ryan, who has been juggling the role along with that of Age Discrimination Commissioner since the departure of Mr Innes nearly two years ago.

While disability advocates have respected her work, they have wanted someone with a disability in the role as a full-time commissioner.

As well as his role at the Deaf Society, Mr McEwin is the chairman of the Disability Council of NSW. He is profoundly deaf.

He said the appointment was "an incredible honour." ... more.

Australian Cross Disability Alliance welcomes new Commissioners, 6 May 2016

No comments: