News

Rights and Freedoms

Addressing human rights concerns and fostering greater understanding and protection of human rights in Australia

It's great to be here today. I can't think of a better time to be taking stock of developments in human rights law and policy in Australia, or a better place to be doing this than Victoria. As a Sydney-sider I have to admit I haven't always been fully appreciative of the number plates down here, which proclaim: ‘Victoria: The Place to Be!’ But there's no doubt that Victoria is the place to be right now, when it comes to human rights developments.

Rights and Freedoms

THE CLASH OF CIVILISATIONS: Dr Sev Ozdowski OAM (2003)

"....the fundamental conflict in the next millennium will not be primarily ideological or primarily economic. The great divisions among humankind and the dominating source of conflict will be cultural"...

Rights and Freedoms

Rights for All: A human rights perspective on regional development: Chris Sidoti (1999)

I would like to thank the Royal Australian Planning Institute for inviting me to speak today at Planning in the Hothouse and in particular on this panel, 'Forgotten Communities'.

Rights and Freedoms

Review of the ‘declared areas’ provisions (2020)

The Commission considers that the declared areas provisions place significant restrictions on the human rights of persons affected by them.

Rights and Freedoms

The Australian Federal Police’s review on its use of spit hoods

The Australian Human Rights Commission welcomes the opportunity to make this submission to the Australian Federal Police's internal review of its use of spit hoods. 

Rights and Freedoms

Inquiry into the National Housing and Homelessness Plan Bill 2024 (No. 2)

The Australian Human Rights Commission welcomed the opportunity to make this submission to the Senate Economics Legislation Committee in relation to its Inquiry into the National Housing and Homelessness Plan Bill 2024 (No. 2). This Private Members Bill, sponsored by Ms Kylea Tink MP and Senator David Pocock is to be commended for applying a human rights-based approach to housing policy (direct and indirect) and delivery.

Rights and Freedoms

Human rights issues for young refugees and asylum seekers

The globalisation of the world economy, including much improved communication and transportation, has increased flows of people across borders. This includes the movement of children, both with their family and unaccompanied. Separated children crossing borders may be refugees, humanitarian asylum seekers, trafficked girls who will be forced to work as prostitutes, or simply children lost in the aftermath of war. So today, children can literally travel across the world undetected and unprotected. And Australia, as part of this global system, has its share of these children.

Rights and Freedoms

PRESENTATION GIVEN TO KYOTO BAR ASSOCIATION: Dr Sev Ozdowski OAM (2003)

Let me start by saying that Australia is a culturally diverse society with 23% of Australians being born overseas. Amongst others, there is a sizeable Japanese community and, as you may hear from my accent, I myself was born in Poland.

Rights and Freedoms

Human rights in regional, rural and remote Australia: Chris Sidoti (1998)

When the CWA started in 1923 about 40% of Australians lived in rural communities. Rural Australia was made up of small but functioning communities whose members had to work hard but could make a living from the land.

Rights and Freedoms

Review of the mandatory data retention regime (2019)

The Commission’s recommendations are aimed at ensuring that the data retention regime is more closely tailored to the purpose of fighting serious crime and is subject to appropriate safeguards and oversight.

Rights and Freedoms

GLBTI Human Rights Conference: Issues in the Asia Pacific Region

Many communities use sport as a way to build peer friendships, and enjoy favourite activities in an atmosphere which is safe and supportive. Some years ago- too many sadly- I enjoyed a bi-annual Australian cricket carnival played between teams of people who were blind or had low vision. This is exactly what is happening at these games, and I trust that the links and friendships built through the activities will be positive and long-standing ones, as they were for me.

Rights and Freedoms

59th Session of the Commission on Human Rights

Read a statement about the history of the Australian Human Rights Commission, which was presented at the Commission on Human Rights in Geneva in 2003.

Rights and Freedoms

Human Rights Day address: Chris Sidoti (1996)

Forty eight years ago this Tuesday, on December 10 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The declaration was a response to the trauma that many of the world’s nations had experienced in World War II. The trauma was especially strong among the nations of Europe, particularly because of the Holocaust, but it was also evident in East Asia, South Asia, South East Asia and the Pacific.

Rights and Freedoms

USING THE LAW TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE Graeme Innes AM (2007)

Scarlett Finney was only six when she saw the brochures for the Hills Grammar School, set in park-like grounds in Sydney's outer suburbs. She indicated her keenness to attend "the school in the bush". Her parents were prepared to pay the fees, and saw the setting and curriculum as providing her with a great education. But the school refused her enrolment due to the fact that she had spina bifida, and sometimes used a wheelchair [1].

Rights and Freedoms

"Long-term detention and mental health": Dr Sev Ozdowski OAM (2002)

Professors Harry Minas and Byron Good - Conference Convenors and Co-directors, distinguished guests from both Australia and overseas, ladies and gentlemen, all.