November ebulletin

Welcoming our new Children's Commissioner, Anne Hollonds 

Anne Hollonds commences her role as Australia’s National Children’s Commissioner today. Anne brings with her a wealth of experience as an advocate for children and young people. She has worked as the CEO of Relationships Australia, the Benevolent Society and – most recently – the Australian Institute of Family Studies. The Commission warmly welcomes Anne to the role. You might enjoy the short video Anne has made, introducing herself to Australia’s children and explaining what she’ll be doing in the role.

Watch the video »

President addresses human rights challenges at Estimates 

Last month, seven of our Commissioners appeared before Senate Estimates. The Commission’s President, Professor Rosalind Croucher AM delivered an opening statement that summarised the human rights challenges Australians have faced throughout the pandemic and outlined the Commission’s focus in addressing those challenges. She provided an overview of human rights complaints lodged with the commission and addressed the public debates around the tension between public health and protecting human rights.

Read the President’s statement »

Racial equality in the time of COVID

What has COVID-19 taught us about prevailing attitudes towards culturally and linguistically diverse groups within Australia? This was the central question of last Friday’s Kep Enderby Memorial Lecture, presented in partnership with the EU Delegation to Australia. An outstanding panel, moderated by Nyadol Nyuon, discussed the impact of racism during the pandemic – including the abuse directed at Asian Australians and the hard lockdown imposed on residents of Melbourne’s social housing towers earlier this year. You can view the full discussion on our website.

Watch the video »

Recommendations to better protect human rights in Australia

Australia’s appearance before the United Nations Human Rights Council for its 3rd universal periodic review is fast approaching. The Commission recently released its submission to the Council, including 42 recommendations to improve the protection of human rights in Australia. The Commission also published an analysis of how recommendations from the previous review were implemented, as well as 25 fact sheets updating current progress on key human rights areas. Follow the link to learn more about the process and read the Commission’s submissions.

Universal Periodic Review »

More from the Commission...

Ed Santow makes the case for extending Australia's safety net

How our society treats people now lays the groundwork for who we will be after COVID-19. We need to emerge as an Australian community that shows the best of our values—open, fair and inclusive. Human Rights Commissioner Edward Santow makes the case for asylum seekers and temporary visa holders to be included in Australia's safety net.

Read his Op-Ed »

News Limited discusses sex discrimination with Kate Jenkins

News Limited newspapers published an extensive interview with Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins, in which she discussed the impact of the pandemic on women, sexual harassment and the Me Too movement.

Read the article »

Three years since Change The Course

This year marked three years since Change the Course: National Report on Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment at Australian Universities. All 39 Australian universities have provided their three-year update on the progress they have made to implement cultural and systemic change as recommended by Change the Course.

Read the updates »

Shaping the next National

Disability Strategy 

Disability Discrimination Commissioner, Dr Ben Gauntlet has been supporting the consultation process to help shape the next National Disability Strategy. In addition to co-hosting the National Disability Strategy: Future Forum last month, the Commission has made a written submission in response to the consultation Position Paper.

Read the submission »

Webinar discusses the impact of elder abuse, social isolation and ageism

Age Discrimination Commissioner Dr Kay Patterson provided the keynote address for the Older Person’s Mental Health and Wellbeing webinar as part of ACT Mental Health month in October. Dr Patterson spoke about the mental health and wellbeing impacts of ageism, social isolation as a risk factor for elder abuse, and the effects of elder abuse on an older person’s wellbeing.

Watch the webinar »

Recent media releases

• Formal family agreements will protect older people, 5 October 2020
• Kep Enderby Memorial Lecture, 26 October 2020

Recent speeches 

• Opening statement - Senate Estimates, 22 October 2020

Get involved

For the latest media releases, speeches and opinion pieces visit our media centre on the Commission's website at: www.humanrights.gov.au/news and for events go to www.humanrights.gov.au/about/get-involved/events. For all other enquiries you can contact the Commission here.