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14 December 2012Book page
National Inquiry into Children in Immigration Detention
Although it is not possible to precisely specify all the circumstance that lead people to arrive in Australia through people smuggling routes, there can be no doubt that they undertake perilous journeys which put their lives and that of accompanying family members at risk. Given the very high rates of approval for those who have sought asylum in Australia through these routes, it is reasonable to… -
Children's Rights
20 November 2014SpeechChildren's Rights in a Changing World
Megan MitchellNational Children's CommissionerAustralian Human Rights Commission Association of Children's Welfare Agencies Conference 201420 August 2014 Check Against Delivery Introduction Thank you, Stephen, and good afternoon everyone. Can I start by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we are meeting today, and paying my respects to their elders past and present. I’d… -
Disability Rights
17 December 2013Opinion pieceWooden escalators just aren't cricket
My dog goes with me everywhere - on trains buses and planes, into my doctors surgery, and the nice restaurants to which my wife entices me. She's a guide dog mate. But there are two places she does not go- in two of the busiest railway stations in Sydney. The wooden "heritage" escalators at Town Hall and Wynyard. Why doesn't she go there? Because of the risk of injury to her paws in the wide… -
14 December 2012Book page
Same-Sex: Same Entitlements: Media release
Changing the definitions describing de facto relationships in relevant federal laws could help end daily discrimination suffered by more than 20,000 same-sex couples in Australia, according to a report by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC), tabled in Federal Parliament today. -
14 December 2012Book page
A last resort?: Temporary protection visas
Media Pack Homepage Statements by Dr Sev Ozdowski, Human Rights Commissioner (Audio Files for Download) Inquiry Commissioner and Assistants Biographies About the Inquiry Inquiry Methodology Terms of Reference Useful Links and Resources -
14 December 2012Book page
Complementary protection: meeting Australia's obligations to people fleeing danger
The Australian Human Rights Commission presented the third of its seminar series celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), entitled Complementary protection: meeting Australia’s obligations to people fleeing danger. -
Rights and Freedoms
12 March 2024Media ReleaseHistoric forum to build momentum for Australian Human Rights Act
Revitalising Australia’s human rights framework – including efforts to introduce an Australian Human Rights Act – will be the focus of a landmark conference in June during the Vivid Sydney festival. Presented by the Australian Human Rights Commission, the Free + Equal Human Rights Conference will take place over 6 and 7 June at the Hyatt Regency in Sydney and will include 12 engaging… -
Commission – General
14 December 2012SpeechMedia Centre - Speeches
The Australian Human Rights Commission publishes a comprehensive collection of speeches delivered by present and historical Commissioners including the President. These speeches cover a wide range of topics, from groundbreaking announcements and strategic initiatives to insightful commentary on industry trends and global issues. Some examples in this collection include speeches by: President… -
Disability Rights
26 June 2017Opinion piece
Hanson's comments remind us we still have a long way to go
As Disability Discrimination Commissioner, it is my job to promote and protect the rights of people with disability. So when a person who has been elected to represent the concerns and aspirations of the Australian people uses the floor of Parliament to suggest that students with disability should be denied their right to inclusive education, put simply, it hurts. Senator Hanson's comments… -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
14 August 2014SpeechSister Clare Condon - Sanctioned Violence: What does it do to our society and relationships?
I acknowledge the Gadagal People of the Aora nation on whose land we meet. I pay my respects to the elders past and present. I come here today as an ordinary citizen. I am not an academic, nor a lawyer. I am simply a concerned citizen. There are many nuances to the meaning of the word violence. It is about violating another; abusing and damaging; often about the abuse of power. It is… -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
17 September 2015Opinion pieceWhite paper has the potential to improve indigenous lives
The Northern Australia white paper has the potential to be transformative in improving the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples if it increases the respect and value of their property rights and their right to development. The white paper, released just over a week ago, focuses on working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, who own more than 31 per cent of… -
Children's Rights
30 June 2014Speech
Safeguarding mental health of children, ensuring opportunity to thrive
Safeguarding mental health for children and ensuring opportunity, a speech by Megan Mitchell National Children's Commissioner. -
1 February 2021Webpage
Training
Meet good practice standards for your workplace or organisation, and upskill your team members in a range of eLearning and live workshops, from workplace sexual harassment, discrimination, bullying, and harassment prevention training, to anti-racism, disability rights, and contact officer training. -
15 June 2015Book page
3 Recent work on barriers to employment of people with disability
In 2014, the Australian Human Rights Commission held a National Disability Forum and conducted a National Disability Survey. The results of the survey showed that people with disability identify access to employment as one of the most important human rights issues they face. [1] A recurring comment in the survey was that many people with disability want to work and were capable of working. … -
Legal
14 December 2012WebpageInquest into the deaths of David Gurralpa and Robert Plasto-Lehner (2009)
Part 2.2: The obligations imposed by the right to life (article 6 of the ICCPR), including that by arresting and detaining individuals police take responsibility to care for their life. -
Legal
14 December 2012Webpage
A human rights approach to trafficking in persons (2011)
The Commission welcomes the opportunity to report to the UN Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons, especially women and children on the human rights issues arising from trafficking in persons in Australia. -
Legal
14 December 2012Webpage
HREOC submission to Inquiry into Immigration Detention in Australia
Recommendation 1: The Migration Act should be amended so that detention occurs only when necessary. This should be the exception not the norm. It must be for a minimal period, be reasonable and be a proportionate means of achieving at least one of the aims outlined in international law (ExComm Conclusion 44). These limited grounds for detention should be clearly prescribed in the Migration Act. -
Age Discrimination
18 November 2013SpeechWhitehorse Accessible Communication Forum
Whitehorse City Council 9:30am-11:00am Whitehorse Centre Waratah Room, 397 Whitehorse Rd, Nunawading, VIC 3131 Introduction Acknowledge traditional owners – the Wurundjeri people Acknowledge the Mayor of the City of Whitehorse – Cr Sharon Ellis Thank you for inviting me to speak at your Accessible Communication Forum. I congratulate you on choosing this topic. Accessibility is a crucial… -
Disability Rights
14 December 2012Webpage
Frequently asked questions: Access to premises
See also the material linked from our access to premises page for more detailed resources including Commission advisory notes and policy papers, complaint outcomes, and links to other resources. -
Children's Rights
22 December 2016Opinion piece
Is jail the answer for Australian kids?
This year around 900 children and young people will spend Christmas in jail. More than 5 per cent of this population are between 10 and 12 years old and 74 per cent of this age group are Indigenous. Most have been charged or convicted with petty crimes, like graffiti, vandalism, shop lifting or fare evasion. More than half of the children in Australian jails have not been convicted of a…