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The Federal secretary responsible for helping rebuild the Victorian communities devastated by last summer's bushfires, Bill Shorten, will present the 2009 Western Australia Disability Collective (WADC) Lecture at The University of Western Australia next week.

Mr Shorten, also Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children's Services, will speak on the human rights and social justice aspects of the National Disability Strategy in the light of Australia's recent ratification of the International Convention on human rights and disability.

The lecture is co-sponsored by UWA's Institute of Advanced Studies and the WADC, a local group working for justice for people with a disability through education, action and community campaigns.

Before the election of the Rudd Labor Government, Mr Shorten was National Secretary of the Australian Workers' Union. In that role, and as Victorian President of the Australian Labor Party, he has been an advocate for working families.

He has a Law degree and a Master of Business Administration and has been CEO of the Australian Netball Players' Association, on the advisory board of the Australian Cricketers' Association, and Patron of the Australian Jockeys' Association.

The lecture theatre is accessible, with an audio loop and an Auslan interpreter.

WHAT: Public WA Disability Collective Lecture

WHEN: Thursday, August 6, from 6pm

WHERE: Social Sciences Lecture Theatre UWA (Carpark P3, Hackett Drive Entrance 1 - ample ACROD bays).

Media references

Audrey Barton (UWA Institute of Advanced Studies) (+61 8) 6488 4797
Janine MacDonald (UWA Public Affairs) (+61 8) 6488 5563 / (+61 4) 32 637 716