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14 December 2012Book page
Same-Sex: Same Entitlements: Chapter 9
Social security is an income support system that acts as a safety-net for people who, for some reason, are unable to financially support themselves. Entitlements to social security are largely governed by the Social Security Act 1991 (Cth) (Social Security Act) and the A New Tax System (Family Assistance) Act 1999 (Cth) (Family Assistance Act). The payments are usually administered by Centrelink. -
Age Discrimination
27 November 2019Media ReleaseAttorneys-General Need to Act on Elder Abuse
Age Discrimination Commissioner Dr Kay Patterson is calling on the Council of Attorneys-General to agree to take immediate action on elder abuse at their meeting tomorrow to develop a timetable outlining its action plan. “Elder abuse is a blight on our society. Older Australians do not have time on their side, they need immediate action from Governments at state and federal levels,” said Dr … -
14 December 2012Book page
Homelessness is a Human Rights Issue (2008)
Access to safe and secure housing is one of the most basic human rights. However, homelessness is not just about housing. Fundamentally, homelessness is about lack of connectedness with family, friends and the community and lack of control over one’s environment. -
14 December 2012Book page
Summary of Observations following the Inspection of Mainland Immigration Detention Facilities 2007
This report is a brief summary of the observations made by the Human Rights Commissioner and staff of the Australian Human Rights Commission (the Commission). These summary notes and recommendations are based on what we personally observed and heard from staff and detainees during our immigration detention facility inspections. -
14 December 2012Book page
Bringing them Home - Chapter 9
In 1863 the area now known as the Northern Territory came under the control of South Australia. By 1903 the whole area was leased to non-Indigenous people. As there were few non-Indigenous women, relationships between the Indigenous women and non-Indigenous men were relatively common. The consequence was a growing population of children of mixed descent who were usually cared for by their mothers… -
14 December 2012Book page
Annual Report 2007-2008: Chapter 2 - Human Rights Education and Promotion
A central function of HREOC is to undertake education programs that increase public awareness and generate discussion of human rights and anti-discrimination issues within Australia. HREOC’s legislative responsibilities are: -
14 December 2012Book page
Social Justice Report 2005 : Appendix 1 : Chronology of events relating to the new arrangements for the administration of Indigenous affairs, 1 July 2004 - 30 June 2005
This Appendix provides an overview of main events since the introduction of the new arrangements for the administration of Indigenous affairs on 1 July 2004. It commences with a summary table and is followed by a detailed description of each event. -
Rights and Freedoms
13 March 2013WebpageRights and freedoms: web links
Links from bayefsky.com bayefsky.com is an extensive collection of resources maintained by leading human rights academic Anne Bayefsky and colleagues . In many cases it provides easier access than the official UN document versions. The site includes an introduction to the human rights treaty system; the text of the treaties and amendments; pages for each country; pages organised by category… -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
16 March 2022News storyUrgent funding needed to support Indigenous community-led health solutions
The Close the Gap campaign has called for an urgent investment in community-led health services to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across the country. The 2022 Close the Gap Report: Transforming Power – Voices for Generational Change has 12 recommendations for large-scale transformation and systemic reform to avoid further preventable deaths and… -
Legal
22 March 2024SpeechLaw Dinner to celebrate the 120th anniversary of SULS
Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM Let me begin by acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land on which we meet, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation and pay my respect to Elders, past, present and emerging, and also to acknowledge any Indigenous guests attending today. I am sorry that as a nation we did not accept the invitation offered in the Uluru Statement from the Heart… -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
5 August 2020Media ReleaseStatement on Christmas Island immigration detention
The Australian Human Rights Commission is deeply concerned that the Australian Border Force plans to re-open the immigration detention facility at Christmas Island. The Commission has carried out inspections of Australia's onshore and offshore immigration detention facilities for many years. The Commission's advice has been consistent: Christmas Island is not an appropriate place for an -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
8 March 2021Media Release
Celebrating First Nations women on IWD
On International Women’s Day (IWD) the Commission pays tribute to the tireless and important work of First Nations women across Australia. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner June Oscar AO has called for recognition and celebration of the power and potential of deadly First Nations women all over the country who are leading, nurturing and growing the oldest… -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
9 July 2019Speech
Intervention on Climate Change Impacts in the Torres Strait
I am Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner. I make this statement on behalf of the Australian Human Rights Commission, Australia’s ‘A status’ NHRI.’ I want to acknowledge the OHCHR for its report and for highlighting some of the adverse effects of climate change on Indigenous women. I would also like to acknowledge the Australian Government for… -
Age Discrimination
16 May 2023Speech
Human Rights Don't Diminish With Age (2023)
Hon. Dr Kay Patterson AO Age Discrimination Commissioner Speech to Chris Barnard Nursing Agency (CBNA) MACG Grand Cedar, Ashwood VIC, 3 May 2023 CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY Welcome everyone - I wish to acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and Bunurong people as the traditional owners of the lands from which I speak and pay respect to their Elders, past, present and emerging. I also want to -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
23 October 2019Publication
Use of force in immigration detention
The issue of the use of force in immigration detention has been raised in a range of complaints against the Department of Home Affairs received by the Commission. This report deals thematically with 14 complaints. -
Sex Discrimination
7 February 2020Publication
Community Guide to the Sexual Harassment National Inquiry Report 2020
Read the message from Kate Jenkins urging all employers to join her in creating safe, gender-equal and inclusive workplaces, no matter their industry or size. -
Rights and Freedoms
17 January 2019Media Release
President announces National Summit on Human Rights
The President of the Australian Human Rights Commission Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM will today announce plans for a National Summit on Human Rights. Professor Croucher will announce the National Summit at the 2018 Human Rights Awards at Sydney’s Westin Hotel. “The National Summit, to be held mid-2019, will promote awareness of the importance of human rights in 21st century… -
14 December 2012Book page
Native Title Report 2008 - Chapter 2
In my Native Title Report 2007, I reported on the changes that were made to the native title system during that year. The changes, which were made through two pieces of legislation which amended the Native Title Act, primarily affected: -
Commission – General
30 June 2023News story
Farewell to Age and Disability Discrimination Commissioners
Commission President Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM has joined with colleagues to farewell and celebrate the achievements of Age Discrimination Commissioner the Hon Dr Kay Patterson AO and Disability Discrimination Commissioner Dr Ben Gauntlett. -
Children's Rights
5 September 2022Media ReleaseOngoing juvenile detention crisis a failure of basic support for kids and families
Commissioner Hollonds said vulnerable children and their families have been let down by federal, state and territory governments for decades with key recommendations from various inquiries and Royal Commissions going unimplemented.