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 
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
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
I greatly admire your ability to defend people with disabilities. When you are a member of the panel on “The Drum” your comments are clear and direct and sound in judgement. I think the NDIS is going to prove challenging. Bruce Canham
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
Hi Scott, I’m interested in this. Let’s talk more you can call me at this number +61412369963 or email me at graeme@graemeinnes.com. Talk soon!
Hello Graeme
You ha dto take Commonwealth Bank to the courts to get them to recognise discrimination is WRONG.
***sorry about any typos, etc, headache, vision is very blurred).***
I may have to do the same to another bank (long story short: I canno0t speak. I escaped DV some years ago and have no one toc ontact. I have no phone.
I found by accident the bank I had savings with discriminated against me by applying their 5% advertised rates for people with phones/ app, but NOT my online svaings account with them!?! They said, ‘The use of a smartphone is a requirement of the [bank] product/s… In any event, not having a smartphone is not a disability.’
Any tips for me because I don’t think I will get anywhere with my complaint and, like yourself and Nadia, will have to go to court… (Oh, and this is only tip of the iceberg as tehre are/ were other issues like misleading ads, IT that is not fit for purpose (i.e. doesn’t allow access), etc, etc.
Any thoughts/ input would be greatly appreciated!!
Lisa