Lorraine Finlay Speech to Christian Schools Australia
Dear Australian Human Rights Commission,
This is a Freedom of Information Request for the purposes of the Freedom of Information Act 1984.
On Monday 26 May 2026, the Human Rights Commissioner, Lorraine Finlay delivered a speech to the Christian Schools National Policy Forum and Symposium 2025. Her speech was titled as "Freedom, Faith and Fairness: Navigating Human Rights in Education Today, Lorraine Finlay, Human Rights Commissioner"
Source: https://www.csa.edu.au/common/Uploaded%2...
I seek access to the following
A. A full transcript of the speech, or the script of the "Freedom, Faith and Fairness: Navigating Human Rights in Education Today, Lorraine Finlay, Human Rights Commissioner" speech relied on by the Australian Human Rights Commissioner.
B. Any and all drafts of previous version of the "Freedom, Faith and Fairness: Navigating Human Rights in Education Today, Lorraine Finlay, Human Rights Commissioner" held by the AHRC.
C. Correspondence between officials of the Australian Human Rights Commission relating to the "Freedom, Faith and Fairness: Navigating Human Rights in Education Today, Lorraine Finlay, Human Rights Commissioner" speech.
Please limit emails to the final message in the chain as long as previous messages are captured.
I agree to having the names and direct contact details of non-senior staff removed, however I request that redactions do not include non-personally identifying information. For example, please leave the domain and job titles when redacting email addresses or signature blocks on emails.
I preemptively agree to requests for third party consultation if necessary, but would prefer that my information about my identity is not shared with those consulted.
Yours faithfully,
Glenn Hamiltonshire
Dear Mr Hamiltonshire,
The Australian Human Rights Commission has begun processing your request
under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) (FOI Act).
You refer to a speech delivered by Commissioner Finlay on 26 May 2025 at
the Christian Schools National Policy Forum and Symposium 2025, and you
have requested access to:
A. A full transcript of the speech, or the script of the "Freedom, Faith
and Fairness: Navigating Human Rights in Education Today, Lorraine
Finlay, Human Rights Commissioner" speech relied on by the Australian
Human Rights Commissioner.
B. Any and all drafts of previous version of the "Freedom, Faith and
Fairness: Navigating Human Rights in Education Today, Lorraine Finlay,
Human Rights Commissioner" held by the AHRC.
C. Correspondence between officials of the Australian Human Rights
Commission relating to the "Freedom, Faith and Fairness: Navigating
Human Rights in Education Today, Lorraine Finlay, Human Rights
Commissioner" speech.
You also request that emails are limited to the final message in the
chain, so long as previous messages are captured.
We acknowledge that you agree to the redaction of the personal information
of non-senior executive service staff, and you request that these
redactions do not include non-personally identifying information, such as
the domain component of email addresses and job titles, when redacting
email addresses or signature blocks on emails.
We confirm that you do not consent to sharing your identity with third
parties for the purpose of any third-party consultation.
Under the FOI Act, the Commission has until Monday, 21 July 2025 to make a
decision in relation to your request.
If your request covers documents which contain the personal information of
third parties and the Commission is required under the FOI Act to consult
with the person or organisation concerned before making a decision on the
release of those documents, the processing period will be extended a
further 30 days. An FOI officer from the Commission will advise you if
third party consultation is required.
Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions relating to
your request for documents.
Best regards,
Demitra Nikas she/her
Paralegal
Australian Human Rights Commission
GPO Box 5218, Sydney NSW 2001
T +61 2 9284 9732
E [1][email address] W [2]humanrights.gov.au
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia,
and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We
pay our respects to their Elders - past, present and future.
[3]Email signature graphic. Australian Human Rights Commission Logo.
Everyone, Everywhere, Everyday.
The Commission supports flexible working arrangements, and I am sending
this message at a time that is convenient to me and my work schedule. It
is not my expectation that you read, respond, or follow up on this email
outside your hours of work.
Dear Mr Hamiltonshire
I refer to your email to the Australian Human Rights Commission dated 21
June 2025, making a request under the Freedom of Information Act 1982
(Cth).
Please find attached my decision letter and attached documents in response
to your request.
Please contact me with any questions or concerns.
Kind regards
Cara Seymour she/her
Senior Lawyer
Australian Human Rights Commission
GPO Box 5218, Sydney NSW 2001
T +61 2 9284 9646
E [1][email address] W [2]humanrights.gov.au
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia,
and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We
pay our respects to their Elders - past, present and future.
[3]Email signature graphic. Australian Human Rights Commission Logo.
Everyone, Everywhere, Everyday.
The Commission supports flexible working arrangements, and I am sending
this message at a time that is convenient to me and my work schedule. It
is not my expectation that you read, respond, or follow up on this email
outside your hours of work.
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. https://humanrights.gov.au/
3. http://www.humanrights.gov.au/