SPEAKER

Giridharan Sivaraman – Australia’s Race Discrimination Commissioner, Australian Human Rights Commission

Topic

The National Anti-Racism Framework (the Framework), is a comprehensive, ten-year, whole-of-society roadmap designed to actively identify, challenge, and dismantle racism. Developed through extensive consultation with First Nations and multicultural communities, the Framework includes 63 recommendations targeting key sectors, including health, education, the justice system, and workplaces.

The Framework recognises racism as a driver of poor mental health and a public health crisis. Research shows a direct link between racist experiences and high psychological distress, anxiety, depression, and increased suicide risk.

About the speaker

Giridharan Sivaraman commenced as Australia’s Race Discrimination Commissioner in March 2024. Prior to becoming Commissioner, he was Principal Lawyer with Maurice Blackburn where he led the firm’s Queensland Employment Law department. He also held the position of Chair of Multicultural Australia from 2021-2024 and was a member of the Queensland Multicultural Advisory Council from 2019-2024, where he was an advocate for the rights of victims of racial vilification.

Commissioner Sivaraman was born in India and migrated to Australia as a child. His anti-discrimination legal and advocacy work is based on his strong passion for human rights, as well as his moral conviction to speak truth to power and fight for the rights of the marginalised, oppressed, and vilified.

The Race Discrimination Commissioner is a statutory position within the Australian Human Rights Commission. Under the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth) (RDA), this position is responsible for promoting equality between people of different backgrounds, conducting research and educational programs to combat racial discrimination, and protecting people from unfair treatment or vilification on the basis of their race, colour, descent, visa status, or national or ethnic origin.

VTMH seminars are open to individuals, from all disciplines and working in all sectors, who are based in Australia and interested in diversity and mental health.  

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