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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
16 December 2020Opinion pieceWe have failed to recognise the contributions of First Nations women and girls
Our voices heard and understood. Our lives and expertise recognised. Our actions counted and invested in as critical to the health and wellbeing of society. These are the powerful and determined calls of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and girls in Australia today. They are set-out and responded to in the Wiyi Yani U Thangani (Women’s Voices): Securing our Rights, Securing our… -
Rights and Freedoms
31 January 2020Media ReleaseCommission warns on Religious Discrimination Bill overreach
In its submission on the latest draft of the Religious Discrimination Bill, the Australian Human Rights Commission warns that elements of the Bill are inconsistent with international human rights law. The Commission is particularly concerned that exemptions for ‘statements of belief’ in the Bill would override existing federal, state and territory discrimination laws on grounds such as race,… -
Commission – General
8 March 2023News story
Forum aims to strengthen human rights in the Pacific
The Commission joined an important conversation about establishing and strengthening National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) across the Pacific region. -
Legal
14 December 2012WebpageSubmission - Inquiry into Paid Maternity, Paternity and Parental Leave (2008)
The Australian Human Rights Commission (‘the Commission’)[1] makes this submission to the Productivity Commission in its Inquiry into Paid Maternity, Paternity and Parental Leave (‘the Inquiry’). -
Age Discrimination
26 April 2023Media ReleaseState AG inaction enables power-of-attorney parasites: Commissioner
Australia’s Age Discrimination Commissioner says thousands of older Australians are being robbed and cheated out of millions of dollars every year because of a dysfunctional enduring power-of-attorney (EPOA) framework. The Commissioner is calling on state and territory Attorneys-General to commit to fixing the problem at the Standing Council of Attorneys-General meeting in Darwin this week… -
Technology and Human Rights
23 November 2020Media ReleaseHistorical bias in AI systems
Learn more about how historical bias in data sets can negatively impact developing and deploying ethical AI. -
14 December 2012Book page
Discussion Paper: African Australians: A report on human rights and social inclusion issues (2009)
The Australia of 2009 is a proud multicultural nation. It is a nation, culturally, socially and economically formed by the unique combination of its First Nation peoples, its early settlers, and by the many waves of subsequent migration. As such, negotiating diversity and respecting people of all faiths, races, cultures and identities has evolved into an important characteristic of being a member… -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
13 October 2020Opinion pieceWho are we leaving behind?
In presenting last week’s Federal Budget, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said, “we will get through this together.” Togetherness is an important value in Australia. It speaks to the basic liberal democratic principle that no-one in our community should be left behind. While much of last week’s Budget analysis focused on the details of tax breaks and tax cuts, at a basic level the Budget is also a… -
Children's Rights
12 May 2023News story
Webinar recording: Now is the time to reimagine schools
Global thought leaders invite the Australian community to reinvent schools as places that equally support children's learning and wellbeing -
Children's Rights
26 June 2019Speech
Speech to NSW & ACT Professional Standards Network
A speech by Megan Mitchell covering The Royal Commission’s recommendations, the connection between those recommendations and the National Principles, work we’re doing at the Australian Human Rights Commission in the Child Safe Organisations project, how religious organisations can implement the National Principles, government responses to the Royal Commission’s recommendations and recent… -
Commission – General
15 September 2021Speech
Human Rights Day Oration 2020: Rosemary Kayess and Nas Campanella
The 2020 Human Rights Day Oration was delivered by leading disability rights advocate Rosemary Kayess, winner of the 2019 Human Rights Medal, and a contributor to the drafting of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Ms Kayess discussed the social transformation of CRPD and the impact it has had on the community as well as her work with the Disability Royal -
Legal
14 December 2012Webpage
Inquiry into Australia’s Human Rights Dialogues with China and Vietnam (2011)
The Australian Human Rights Commission appreciates the opportunity to provide a submission to the Inquiry into Australia’s Human Rights Dialogues with China and Vietnam. The Commission does not propose responding to all of the terms of reference. Because the Commission’s direct involvement in the Dialogue process is quite limited, it is not in a position to provide highly insightful… -
Rights and Freedoms
17 January 2019Speech
Echoes of breaking glass: reflections on Kristallnacht
CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY We know the basic facts of Kristallnacht. On the 9th and 10th of November 1938, mobs attacked Jews in Germany and neighbouring states. They did so freely; without restraint. Many Jews were killed, many more were injured, and many more than that were arrested and sent to concentration camps. Jewish businesses were destroyed; schools and cemeteries vandalised. Over 1000 … -
Rights and Freedoms
18 March 2022Opinion piece
What is happening in Ukraine should matter to every Australian
OPINION There is almost 13,000km between Australia and Ukraine. It is literally on the other side of the world. Given the vast distances that separate us, it would be easy to claim that what happens there has nothing to do with us. That Australia should focus instead on the many challenges we face at home and leave the rest of the world to deal with their own problems. That would be a grave … -
Rights and Freedoms
17 January 2019Media Release
Encryption law falls short on rights safeguards
Human Rights Commissioner Edward Santow warns significant threats to human rights remain despite some improvements to Australia’s encryption law. “Police and security agencies must be equipped with robust powers to protect our national security. However, these powers need independent oversight, to ensure any impact on our human rights is proportionate to the relevant risks,” said… -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
17 January 2019Media Release
New approach to Closing the Gap Strategy welcomed
The Close the Gap Campaign has welcomed the COAG agreement to work in genuine partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the Refreshed Closing the Gap Strategy. COAG has recognised that in order to effect real change, governments must work collaboratively and in genuine, formal partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as they are the essential… -
14 December 2012Book page
Social Justice Report 2003: Chapter 4: Responding to petrol sniffing on the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Lands: A case study
In September 2002, the South Australian Coroner brought down his findings in the inquests into the deaths of Kunmanara[1] Ken (who died on 3 August 1999), Kunmanara Hunt (who died on 27 January 2001) and Kunmanara Thompson (who died on 26 June 2001). Each of these young Anangu was a chronic petrol sniffer (they had been sniffing for at least ten years) in their mid to late twenties living on the… -
Children's Rights
12 July 2019Speech
Children’s Rights in Australia: looking back and moving forward
Good morning everyone. I’d like to begin today by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land, the Widjabul people of the Bundjalung nation. I acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make. I also pay my respects to elders past, present and emerging. I’d also like to thank Professor Anne Graham for inviting me to speak to you today. And I also want to … -
Disability Rights
29 June 2015PublicationOverlooked Consumers – Australians with Disabilities and Older People
Every day, one in five Australians experiences difficulties or frustrations in performing everyday tasks with everyday things, such as consumer electronics and appliances. As technology develops, an increasing proportion of products are inaccessible to people with a range of different disabilities. These one-in-five Australians are what the author terms the ‘overlooked consumers’. -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
17 January 2019Media Release
Time to act on constitutional recognition
The current and former Social Justice Commissioners have called for political leadership to ensure the recommendations of the Joint Select Committee on constitutional recognition are realised. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner June Oscar AO and former commissioners Mick Gooda, Professor Tom Calma AO, Dr William Jonas AM and Emeritus Professor Mick Dodson…