About Graeme

About Graeme

Graeme Innes AM is a lawyer, author, and company director. His autobiography Finding A Way achieved popular acclaim in 2016.

Graeme led the merger of four blindness agencies to form Vision Australia, and chaired the board of that agency.

He is also a Director of:

  • The National Disability Insurance Agency;
  • The State Insurance Regulatory Authority, regulating workers’ compensation and motor vehicle accident insurance in NSW.

He is the Chancellor of Central Queensland University.

He has been a human rights practitioner for more than 30 years and is a conference presenter and facilitator.

Graeme was a Commissioner at the Australian Human Rights Commission for nine years, responsible for issues relating to disability, race and human rights. In this role, he led work on:

  • The ratification by Australia of a UN Convention on the rights of people with disabilities;
  • The Same Sex Same Entitlements inquiry;
  • Regulations in the areas of accessible buildings and transport;
  • Work with industry on TV and movie captions and accessible banking standards; and
  • Three inspections of Australia’s immigration detention centres.

Graeme was awarded an AM for his work on the development of the Disability Discrimination Act, was a finalist for Australian of the Year, and, on the international stage, he was a member of the Australian delegation that participated in negotiating the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities. He was awarded Honorary Doctorates by the University of Canberra in 2014, RMIT University in 2016, UNSW in 2017 and Edith Cowan University in 2018, in recognition of his work as a human rights activist.

Graeme is married with two adult children, loves cricket as a spectator and sailing as a participant, and relaxes by enjoying fine Australian white wine.

Graeme Innes sailing
Graeme sailing the boat using bone conductive audio from a speaker in his cap delivering compass directions from an iPhone app

8 thoughts on “About Graeme

  1. Hello Graeme, I do apologise for the unsolicited message! I just happened to hear the speech you gave this afternoon at the National Press Club. First and foremost I want to say thank you so very much for all of the time and energy you have put into securing equal rights for people with disabilities. There is no doubt that you are such a gift and blessing to the whole of Australia with your insight, wisdom, care and energy.

    The speech I saw you give today was absolutetly nothing short of inspirational. I would love to help wherever I can in your new initiative for the ABC. I would love to make a donation towards the cause, but I also have skills to offer if they could be of assistance.

    I have spent many years advising on strategic planning, performance management and governance. My details can be found on my linkedin account: http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=190561319&trk=nav_responsive_tab_profile

    You might see that I have sent you an invitation to connect on Linkedin. I know you have much better things to do than check social media, so please, there is no worries if you don’t get to reply.

    I just wanted to sent this message to let you know how much you are supported and appreciated. If there is any way I can help in your future pursuits I would be absolutely thrilled.

    Take Care Graeme, and just know our thoughts are right behind you!!!

    With kindest regards,
    Belinda Reed
    thedaybrightener@gmail.com

  2. Dear Graeme, Thank you for your comments on The Drum 14-07-16 . I totally support your support for under privileged people.Right Wing people are a blight on humanity.
    Brian Bartlett

  3. Dear Graeme, great book! Thanks I enjoyed reading it very much. What I liked most about the book was that it opened my eyes to the discrimination that many with a disability face. Thank you Sharon

  4. Hello Graeme, I am listening to you on the Drum now January 12, 2022. You mention that the poor and vulnerable are dying from Covid at four times the rate of the population as a whole. I find this so incredibly alarming. Could you provide me with where you found this data?

      1. Hi Graeme

        I loved your comment on the Drum last night. A PM who ‘doesn’t hold a cheque book’!

        Kind regards
        Judy Quintal

  5. Dear Graeme,

    I hope you don’t mind me reaching out, but I came across your professional speaking profile and was keen to connect. By way of introduction, I am the co-founder of Finders Speakers, a new talent marketplace built for the changing demands of a post covid speaking and events market.

    With 20 years’ experience working in marketing and events for global brands, Finders Speakers was created to redefine the way speakers and event organisers connect and collaborate. We help curated talent get marketed, discovered and booked, providing direct access to a global network of event organisers.

    We are not a bureau or an agency, nor do we charge any upfront fees or subscriptions, we promote you for free. We do this because we believe in being 100% aligned with speakers’ success and are genuinely committed to improving connectivity across the industry.

    With events opening up in 2022 we are actively onboarding select talent ahead of a marketing push to event organisers in the new year. I feel you would be an excellent fit and addition to our community and would really welcome the opportunity to arrange a call to discuss further. Alternatively you can visit our website http://www.findersspeakersco.com to learn more and create your profile

    Kind regards
    Scott

    Scott Townsley
    Finders Speakers
    Co-Founder
    scott@findersspeakersco.com
    +61 0404 142 778

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