Advocating for Change: Graeme Innes AM on Human Rights and Disability Justice
In this second instalment of This Ability, Philip Stephens continues to share the stories of those who have turned adversity into a platform for change. Through candid interviews with those living with disabilities and their allies, Philip explores the personal and professional journeys of individuals who are redefining what it means to advocate for social justice. From the workplace to the world stage, these stories provide invaluable insights into resilience, empowerment and the pursuit of equality.
Introducing Graeme Innes
In this episode, Philip sits down with Graeme Innes, a distinguished Australian lawyer, author and a tireless champion for human rights and disability advocacy. Born blind at birth due to a congenital issue, Graeme has been a pivotal figure in shaping the landscape of disability rights in Australia and abroad.
Appointed as Australia's Disability Discrimination Commissioner in 2005, Graeme played a key role in drafting and advocating for Australia's adoption of the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities. Graeme also spent two years as the Race Discrimination Commissioner, and four years as Human Rights Commissioner where he was integral in leading the Same Sex: Same Entitlements inquiry, which resulted in the removal of discrimination across federal law.
With a career spanning over three decades, Graeme has served on a range of boards and tribunals, including roles as Deputy Chair of the Australian Disability Consultative Council, Chair of the Disability Advisory Council of Australia, the first Chair of Vision Australia and Chair of the Attitude Foundation. His tireless advocacy work has earned him numerous accolades, including being recognised as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) and receiving an Honorary Doctorate of the University of Canberra. Beyond his professional achievements, Graeme uses his platform to inspire others and continue the fight for equality and justice.
Philip: Your autobiography, Finding a Way, has resonated with a wide audience, including myself. What inspired you to share your personal journey, and what did you hope readers would take away from your story?
Graeme: Well, I never thought about writing a book. I have always been a doer, rather than a writer. My wife, who's a journalist, encouraged me to write the book and I took on board what she said, but I just hadn't gotten around to it. Eventually a couple of publishers approached me to ask me if I would share my story, and when I talked to friends and contacts the general consensus was that I had a story worth sharing. So once I finished at the Australian Human Rights Commission, I wrote the book and it's been very successful. A lot of people really love it.
Philip: As someone who has been blind from birth, you wrote that you were blessed because you had a family who refused to view your blindness as a handicap. What did they do to instil a belief in you, to believe in your own ability?
Graeme: Well, rather than wrapping me in cotton wool and treating me as the kid with a disability, they treated me as just one of three siblings and one member of a five person family unit. I was encouraged to participate in all family activities, doing exactly what my family did; there were never limits placed. If I wanted to do something, I was encouraged to do it. I probably got a few more grazes, bumps and bruises as I was growing up, because as a person who is blind, that's an inevitable consequence, but I had the opportunity to enjoy life as just a child growing up in a supportive family. It taught me that I could achieve what I wanted to achieve and I think it also gave me a significant level of resilience to deal with the challenges that I might face.
Philip: You played a pivotal role in merging blindness agencies to form Vision Australia. Can you describe the challenges and success of that process and how it impacted the disability support landscape in Australia?
Graeme: I had been a company director for some years when I became chair of the Royal Blind Society in the late nineties and it was then we began the conversations about merging the three organisations: the Royal Blind Society, Vision Australia Foundation and the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind, and the logic behind the merger was clear. There were many savings and benefits that could be drawn from bringing the three organisations together into one national organisation.
The unification meant that more of the resources from the three organisations would be spent on supporting people who were blind or had low vision. But just like any merger, it’s complex because you're bringing together three separate cultures and that's not an easy thing to do. I learned huge amounts from the work on that merger, but it happened and it was successful. It continues to be successful and has resulted in a better delivery of services and support for people who are blind or have low vision.
Philip: During your tenure as commissioner at the Australian Human Rights Commission, you led efforts on various fronts, including disability rights and accessible standards. Could you share some of your most memorable initiatives or achievements from that time?
Graeme: I think the enactment of standards in areas like access to transport and access to premises—which are regulations that sit under the Disability Discrimination Act—have been crucial. They require transport operators and those constructing buildings to comply with a set of requirements, making those parts of our community more accessible. The standards in both areas have probably led to hundreds of millions of dollars of infrastructure change, and whilst our community is definitely not perfect in terms of accessibility these days, it is far, far better as a result of those standards. I was privileged to have the opportunity to be the commissioner when those standards became law.
These standards require change over time, so gradually, our transport and our buildings will become easier to navigate for people with disabilities will have more dignified and effective use of those facilities. If we want to include people with disabilities in our community, we have to make our community accessible. It's not up to people with disabilities to include ourselves. The community needs to work with us to do that and I think those standards were significant building blocks in that process.
Philip: Your advocacy work contributed significantly to Australia ratifying the UN Convention of Rights of People with Disabilities. How have you seen its impact unfold over time?
Graeme: The CRPD, the Convention of Rights of People with Disabilities, which you refer to, is a piece of international law to which Australia and most other UN countries have signed up. I don't recall the exact number right now, but it's a high proportion of members of the UN. Conventions like this are significant because they show that other countries are paying attention. The convention and the activities of different countries under it are regularly reviewed by a UN expert committee, which reports on compliance. Now, while the world is not yet perfectly accessible, we know that it’s far more accessible today because of the provisions in the convention.
These provisions cover areas like buildings, transport, education, access to services and many of the recommendations from the recent Disability Royal Commission stemmed from the convention. It was a significant building block in changing our world to make it more inclusive for people with disabilities and I was proud to play a small part in that process.
Philip: In addition to your professional achievements, you're known for your passion for cricket and sailing. How have those hobbies contributed to your wellbeing and perspective on life?
Graeme: I, like many other Australians, have worked hard in my career and I believe everyone needs to have a bit of work-life balance. I would describe myself as a cricket tragic. I played when I was younger, but now I follow the sport closely. I love cricket because it's a complex sport and much of it is played in the head, rather than with the bat and ball. I just love the complexity and the nuances of the game.
Sailing is just a wonderful way to get out on the water. I love being on the water and I love not having the huge noise of a large outboard motor at the back of a boat, destroying the ambience. I've learned over the years that to be able to feel the wind and steer a boat myself, I need to have a few mates along so I don't run into things like land or other boats. But apart from that, it's an activity in which I can really participate strongly. Both hobbies give me a chance to switch off and chill out a bit.
Philip: You've been recognised with multiple honorary doctorates for your contributions to human rights. How do those accolades shape your ongoing commitment to advocacy and what advice would you give to young advocates entering this space today?
Graeme: Well, any recognition of advocacy is obviously very appreciated and I certainly appreciate it. The greatest recognition, in my view, is recognition from my peers and from people with disabilities, who both are supportive of what I've done, but who can also benefit from the opportunities I’ve contributed to. In that sense, I feel honoured to be recognised in that way and humbled by that honour.
What would I say to young advocates? Advocacy and the progress of advocacy, is not a straight, linear path. It moves from side to side and sometimes it goes backwards, as well as going forwards. But I've always, through my life, been able to see a pathway which has led to eventual improvement. As a person with a disability,you need to keep at it, recognise that, as an advocate, progress will never be fast enough for you, because you're a change agent and it's hard work to get the community to change. You need to be resilient. Keep coming back, keep delivering the message that you want to give and you can get there eventually. Also make sure you have some good peer support from other people with disabilities. Advocacy is much, much harder on your own. If you're working as a group and you're celebrating successes, you're far more likely to be able to continue as an effective advocate.
Philip: Finally, what inspires you?
Graeme: What inspires me? I suppose I was lucky as a kid to know what career I wanted to get into, which was law. A lot of kids are uncertain. I didn't have that uncertainty and I was really lucky in that respect. I wanted to get into law because I thought that whilst our society was good, it could be better. I thought that law was a way to change or improve our society and that's what's driven me all of my life. I am inspired by other change makers. I am inspired by people who don't ask why we have to do things, but rather say, ‘why not’? I am inspired by people who look to make our country and world a better and a stronger place; a place that values diversity, includes all groups and addresses disadvantages.
A Journey of Advocacy and Resilience
Graeme Innes's tireless commitment to disability rights and human rights has left an indelible mark on Australia and beyond. From advocating for accessible standards to playing a pivotal role in the adoption of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, his work serves as a powerful reminder that change is possible. His story, filled with resilience, passion and a steadfast belief in a more inclusive society, is a testament to the impact one individual can make.
Part three of This Ability introduces Senator Jordon Steele-John, a passionate advocate who has redefined what it means to represent the marginalised in politics. From championing the rights of disabled people to challenging government policies, his work underscores the power of community-driven change. Jordan’s relentless commitment to justice and equality offers a powerful example of how lived experience can drive meaningful reform and inspire others to take action.
Inspired by these conversations? Check out Philip Stephens’ memoir, My Lucky Break: The True Story of a Daredevil Quadriplegic, which shares his remarkable story of resilience, optimism and adventure. Learn more at iamphilipstephens.com.
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