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Australia is a wealthy nation. In 2003, Australia ranked fourth in the United Nations Human Development Index (1) indicating Australians enjoyed one of the highest qualities of life in the world. Overall, Australia ranks equal fourth with the highest life expectancy at birth (79.0 years) suggesting Australians are among the healthiest people in the world. (2)

Pursuant to section 11(1)(f)(ii) of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act 1986 (Cth), I attach a report of my inquiry into complaints made by Ms Susan Campbell that the human rights of her daughter were breached by the Commonwealth of Australia. I have found that acts or practices of the Commonwealth were inconsistent with or contrary to the human rights of Ms Campbell’s…

9.1 Needs and development of teenagers 9.2 Physical environment of detention 9.3 Emotional wellbeing and self-harm 9.4 Safety 9.5 Security measures and dignity 9.6 Relationships with parents 9.7 Relocations 9.8 Provision of medical services 9.9 Education 9.10 Recreation 9.11 Findings specific to teenagers I am a bird in a cage (14 year old girl, Christmas Island detention centre, 15 July…

The Australian Psychological Society categorically condemns the practice of detaining child asylum seekers and their families, on the grounds that it is not commensurate with psychological best practice concerning children’s development and mental health and wellbeing. Detention of children in this fashion is also arguably a violation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The resolution of the debate as to whether the extinguishment of native title by the common law and the Native Title Act 1993 (Cwlth) (‘NTA’) is racially discriminatory, depends upon the interpretation given to its two essential components: extinguishment and discrimination. The interpretation that the High Court has given to the extinguishment provisions of the NTA and its relationship…

A stable and enduring basis for a dynamic and long term relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people over land is emerging through negotiation and agreement-making. Native title agreements are increasingly seen as an important tool in defining the rights of native title holders over their land. But here, as in other aspects of native title, there is concern that there are currently…

This is a report to the Attorney-General on inquiries made by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission into a complaint made under the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act 1986 (Cth) (the Act) of discrimination in employment on the ground of age. The complaint was made by Ms Akiko Ishikuni against the Japan Travel Bureau (Australia) (JTB).

In accordance with the general principle stated at Guideline 2 and the UNHCR [1] Guidelines on Refugee Children, minors who are asylum seekers should not be detained…

The Commission is a national independent statutory body established under the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act 1986. It has a President and five Commissioners. The five positions are currently held by three persons. Please refer to the organisational chart for further information.

Good functioning of prescribed bodies corporate (PBC)2 is essential to native title. Recognition of native title rights only goes part of the way to redress the historical injustice of land dispossession. Without appropriate means to make decisions about land, the existence of native title makes minimal appreciable difference to Indigenous people.

While the native title system is able to deliver social and cultural outcomes through determinations of native title, Indigenous land use agreements (ILUAs) are one of the only ways in which native title holders can pursue economic development.

Superannuation is one of the main ways of saving for retirement. It is designed to provide financial security for individuals and their families in retirement; or when a person dies unexpectedly.