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Technology and Human Rights
21 September 2023Publication
HRIA Tool: AI in Banking
Learn more about how banks and financial institutions can use AI ethically to protect and promote human rights. -
14 January 2021Conciliation register
2019-05-23
The complainant alleged that an offer of employment as a support worker in a community organisation was revoked by senior management because of her criminal record. She said she disclosed her criminal record during the recruitment process. The complainant had been convicted of minor theft and fraud offences approximately nine years earlier. She claimed the organisation offered her no… -
Age Discrimination
22 July 2020Media ReleaseUrgent call to harmonise powers of attorney
Australia’s Age Discrimination Commissioner, the Hon Dr Kay Patterson AO, has called on the federal and state and territory Attorneys-General to act urgently to implement the Australian Law Reform Commission’s (ALRC) recommendations on powers of attorney at the COAG meeting on 27 July. The Australian Human Rights Commission has heard from lawyers, peak bodies and frontline workers of a sharp… -
10 February 2021Conciliation register
2020-02-07
The complainant is from China and claimed that when she contacted the respondent law enforcement agency to report an incident of domestic violence, she was not provided with a Mandarin language interpreter, despite requesting one. She alleged her claim was not adequately investigated and she was not assisted to find safe accommodation because she was unable to effectively communicate with -
Disability Rights
3 December 2020Opinion pieceBeing acknowledged is the first step to being included
When I started my career as a young lawyer, I made a decision to tell people upfront that I used a wheelchair. On the occasions when I didn't, people often didn’t realise that I was the lawyer who they had spoken to on the phone. They would assume I was attending a meeting for work experience, or address their questions to my colleague instead of me. This continued even as my career… -
9 May 2024Conciliation register
2021-06-16
The complainant was employed as a traffic controller with the respondent traffic management business. She alleged one of the managing directors sexually harassed her at a Christmas party by pulling her towards him and rubbing her body, and later sending her a text message and leaving a voicemail message asking, ‘where is my f**k?’. She also alleged other colleagues propositioned her for sex… -
9 May 2024Conciliation register
2021-06-09
The complainant is Vietnamese and attended an outlet of the respondent telecommunications retailer. He alleged he was refused an advertised concession discount and his concession card was not accepted because of his race. He alleged customers who were not Vietnamese received more favourable treatment. The telecommunications retailer advised the complainant could not be offered the discount … -
14 January 2021Conciliation register
2019-05-13
The complainant has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Tourette's syndrome, learning and developmental disability and generalised anxiety disorder. He claimed that, on his first day of employment as a truck driver with the respondent company, he told his manager about his disability and need for assistance with writing, computer work and learning new tasks. He alleged the company did… -
Commission – General
5 August 2020E-bulletin (Monthly)August ebulletin
We have heard the words human rights quite a lot in recent weeks, in varied and sometimes inaccurate settings. Measures to protect our health and safety must be balanced with our rights and freedoms, but if there was ever a time to articulate where that line is, it would be now. Which is why last week, I took the step of writing a piece for a mainstream publication. While the pandemic… -
30 September 2020Conciliation register
2019-02-04
The complainant has a number of medical conditions, including osteoarthritis, kidney stones, diabetes and depression. She alleged that during her employment with the respondent plant nursery, negative statements were made about her disability, including that her disability impacted negatively on her performance. The complainant claimed the nursery required her to undergo a fitness for duty… -
Race Discrimination
28 October 2022News storyRace Discrimination Commissioner welcomes National Anti-Racism Strategy funding
Australia’s Race Discrimination Commissioner has welcomed the federal budget announcement that $7.5 million over 4 years will be provided to the Australian Human Rights Commission to develop a national strategy to tackle racism and promote racial equality in Australia. -
11 September 2020Conciliation register
2019-01-11
The complainant is from Thailand and worked as a nurse at the respondent aged care facility. She alleged a colleague made a number of racially offensive comments towards her, such as aggressively telling the complainant to speak English and telling the complainant she did not understand the complainant’s culture. The aged care facility advised that, in response to the complainant’s… -
Sex Discrimination
12 August 2022News storyResearch commences for 5th National Survey on Workplace Sexual Harassment
The Australian Human Rights Commission is currently conducting the 5th National Survey on Workplace Sexual Harassment. The survey takes place around every four years and is our nation's key source of information on the prevalence, nature and reporting of sexual harassment in Australian workplaces. The data aims to inform Australia's ongoing response to this issue, providing evidence to… -
2 July 2021Conciliation register
2020-06-11
The complainant has anxiety and Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder, as well as other medical conditions. He applied for total and permanent disability, income protection and life insurance with the respondent insurer through the respondent superannuation fund. The complainant alleged his application for life insurance was originally approved with certain exclusions and his… -
11 September 2020Conciliation register
2019-01-09
The complainant has a mobility disability and uses a wheelchair. She said she attended an event regarding possible seasonal work with the respondent retailer in response to an advertisement at a career day. The complainant alleged she was unable to attend the event or apply for a role because there were steps at the entrance to the room in which the event was being held. The retailer… -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
1 June 2021SpeechTruth for change - Reckoning with our past and transforming our nation
This was the keynote address at the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies conference, 2021. Good morning everyone. I acknowledge the Kaurna peoples whose lands we gather on for this conference—I pay my respects to your elders, past, present and emerging. I also acknowledge all our peoples who have come from countries—First Nations—from across this vast… -
11 September 2020Conciliation register
2019-01-10
The complainant has Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, depression and anxiety and was employed with the respondent local council. He said he experienced a panic attack at work arising from issues in his personal life. He alleged a manager disclosed information about his disability and attraction to a former supervisor without his permission. He also alleged the council did not permit him to… -
11 September 2020Conciliation register
2019-01-08
The complainant has post-stroke hemiplegia, aphasia and depression, and has an assistance animal. He booked a two-night stay with the respondent resort, which would cost approximately $350 and was informed shortly before he was due to check-in that a $150 fee would apply because he was accompanied by an assistance animal. The complainant said he asked to see a copy of the relevant policy but… -
10 February 2021Conciliation register
2019-07-03
The complainant’s 10-year-old son has anxiety and processing speed difficulties and attended the respondent public primary school. The complainant alleged the school discriminated against her son on the ground of disability including by failing to develop a behaviour support plan, allowing him to be bullied, suspending him on a number of occasions and restricting his hours of attendance. She… -
Age Discrimination
10 July 2019Publication
Multigenerational workforces
While older workers bring skills and knowledge to the workplace, age discrimination still presents a significant barrier to meaningful participation in the workforce. In 2016–17, 58% of age discrimination complaints received by the Australian Human Rights Commission (the Commission) were related to work.