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Rights and Freedoms23 November 2016Opinion piece
Striking the right balance on free speech
Discover how a former Human Rights Commissioner was asked whether the Racial Discrimination Act impinges on freedom of expression under international law. -
Commission – General28 May 2013Webpage
Summary of UPR recommendations and responses
The Australian Government accepted in full or in part over 90 percent of recommendations made by other Governments in Australia's first Universal Periodic Review process. The Commission will report regularly on progress in implementation of these commitments, which will also be examined at Australia's next UPR appearance in 2016. Report including UPR recommendations (PDF). Full government… -
Rights and Freedoms18 June 2013Webpage
Human rights based approaches
Human rights based approaches transform legal provisions into effective policies, emphasizing freedom and dignity for all. -
Commission – General14 December 2012Speech
President Speech: Promoting Women in Leadership
Let me join those who have spoken before me in acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet, the Gadigal people of the Eora nation. I pay my respects to their elders past and present, and to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders we have with us tonight. -
Legal14 December 2012Webpage
Notice of inquiry: Application for exemption under Disability Discrimination Act section 55 and Sex Discrimination Act section 44: Civil Aviation medical standards
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) applied on 29 July 2002 to the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission for temporary exemption under the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 ("SDA"), section 44, and the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 ("DDA"), section 55, for persons acting pursuant to existing Civil Aviation Regulations regarding medical fitness and proposed… -
Legal14 December 2012Webpage
Outstations Policy Discussion Paper (2008)
The Australian Human Rights Commission (the Commission) makes this submission to the Office of Indigenous Policy, Northern Territory Department of Chief Minister in its Inquiry into Outstations Policy. -
Disability Rights14 March 2014Opinion piece
Send Rosie Anne home
For most of us gaol is a theoretical concept. It's somewhere you go if you commit a serious crime. And that's fair enough. Neither of us have committed a crime, but in various roles during our lives we have visited places of detention. But for short times, and knowing we can always walk out. They are places where fear, despair and anger- a pretty potent cocktail as most prison staff would… -
14 December 2012Book page
Commission Website: National Inquiry into Children in Immigration Detention
The current mandatory detention policy of the Commonwealth of Australia breaches the fundamental principle of the rights of the child which is that children should be able to develop to their full potential. The policy breaches every article of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The policy violates the right to health as established by international law. -
Rights and Freedoms14 December 2012Opinion piece
All people have a fundamental human right to seek asylum from persecution (2010)
The following opinion pieces have been published by the President and Commissioners. Reproduction of the opinion pieces must include reference to where the opinion piece was originally published. -
Rights and Freedoms14 December 2012Opinion piece
Everyone needs a safety net at some point in their lives (2009)
The Australian Human Rights Commission has this week lodged its submission with the National Human Rights Consultation, recommending that Australia implements a human rights act. -
Legal14 December 2012Webpage
Notice of temporary exemption application: Buchan Bus 'n Freight
The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission has received an application from Mr D. Beaven, trading as Buchan Bus n Freight, for a temporary exemption under section 55 of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) from the provisions of the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport to permit the introduction of a public transport service using a vehicle which is not wheelchair… -
Disability Rights14 December 2012Webpage
D.D.A. guide: The ins and outs of access
This applies to existing places as well as places under construction. To comply with the DDA existing places may need to be modified to be accessible (except where this would involve "unjustifiable hardship"). -
Legal18 February 2020Webpage
Submission policy
Any public contribution to an inquiry is called a submission. Submissions are actively sought by the Commission from a broad cross section of the community, as well as those with a special interest in particular inquiries. -
14 December 2012Book page
Social Justice Report 2000: Appendix 1 Information concerning Australia provided by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission to United Nations Committees in 2000
1) Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD): additional information to Australia's 10th, 11th and 12th periodic reports under CERD, March 2000; -
14 December 2012Book page
Indigenous Deaths in Custody: Part E Profiles: Indigenous Deaths in Custody 1989 - 1996
The deceased was travelling with a friend in a car on Kloeden St, Ceduna at around 1:30am on the morning of Sunday 2 July. The car was approached by police who later stated that they were attending to a break-in in the street. The officers ran a warrant check on the pair. The friend was allowed to go but the deceased was arrested on warrants for non-payment of fines and a non-appearance on an… -
14 December 2012Book page
National Disability Strategy: Australian Human Rights Commission Submission
The Australian Human Rights and Commission (the Commission) makes this submission in response to the Australian Government's Discussion Paper on a National Disability Strategy. -
Disability Rights14 December 2012Speech
Burdekin: NATIONAL INQUIRY
Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the launch of the report of the national inquiry into the human rights of people with mental illness. This report is the result of extensive research; public hearings in all States and Territories; and oral evidence and written submissions from over 1300 witnesses. I have been extremely fortunate to have the assistance of two commissioners with a… -
27 February 2017Book page
Findings at a glance
Finding 1 A threshold issue Ensuring all customers are treated with basic levels of respect and fairness is not viewed as high a strategic priority as expected. Only1 in 2 customers surveyed agreed that ensuring all customers are treated respectfully is a priority for organisations. Less than half of those surveyed (41%) believe that organisations treat customers respectfully, regardless of… -
Commission – General31 March 2020Webpage
About Past Awards
Learn about the history of the Commission's Human Rights Awards, which were launched in 1987 to recognise the work of human rights heroes across Australia. -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice14 December 2012Opinion piece
Act closed wounds but not the gap (2009)
In 1994, phone numbers had seven digits, we listened to Crowded House, and it was legal to own a semi-automatic rifle. Mother And Son and A Country Practice disappeared from television screens, and The Adventures Of Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert and Muriel's Wedding showed off our magnificent country and sense of humour while touching on tough issues such as marginalisation, sexuality and racism.