Skip to main content

All media releases

Speeches, statements, articles and opinion pieces by President Hugh de Kretser.

Learn about the work we undertake and the issues on which we focus. Attend our events to hear from a range of leading thinkers speaking on equality and human rights issues.

All media releases

All news

‘On Your Terms’ – national survey to strengthen sex and consent education

Children and youth rights
Media Release
18 March 2026
PRofile of a young woman with decorative elements

Listening to First Peoples’ stories is key to ending racism in Australia

Race discrimination
Media Release
21 March 2026
Mr Giridharan Sivaraman | Race Discrimination Commissioner

New national plan sets 10-year vision to end the abuse and mistreatment of older people

Older people’s rights
Media Release
16 March 2026
Younger person has arms around older person in chair

Commission calls for urgent action on rising Islamophobia

Race discrimination
Media Release
15 March 2026
Muslim mother and child

Hobart seminar to explore how human rights help fix critical social challenges

Rights and Freedoms
Media Release
12 March 2026
A compile of the faces of the seminar speakers

Commissioners call on government to support efforts to bring back Australian women and children from Syria

Rights and Freedoms
Media Release
6 March 2026
Tents in an encampment

Advancing the Human Rights of Older Persons in Australia: Support for a national Human Rights Act.

Older people’s rights
Media Release
6 March 2026
3 older people sitting at a table smiling

Joint statement on the human rights of older persons in Australia

Older people’s rights
Media Release
6 March 2026
Old man driving

Commissioners welcome Senate Inquiry into racism against First Peoples

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
Media Release
5 March 2026

UN review urges Australia to address poverty, housing crises, and strengthen human rights

Rights and Freedoms
Media Release
2 March 2026
Universal Periodic Review 2026 Geneva

Race Commissioner condemns Senator Hanson’s Islamophobic remarks targeting Muslim Australians

Race discrimination
Media Release
18 February 2026
Commissioner Sivaraman

Landmark study finds racism is widespread and systemic at Australian universities

Race discrimination
Media Release
17 February 2026
Three students in a university lecture

Response to violence at Sydney protests

Rights and Freedoms
Media Release
11 February 2026

New bill to establish National Commission for First Peoples children welcomed by top human rights advocates

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
Media Release
6 February 2026
A group of smiling children, mostly with dark hair and skin, pose together indoors in a classroom, some hugging each other and looking at the camera. Art, chairs, and classroom decorations are visible in the background.

Commissioners say WA tragedy underscores urgent need to keep all children safe from harm

Disability rights
Media Release
5 February 2026

Commission set to mark 40 years of promoting and protecting human rights

Rights and Freedoms
Media Release
4 February 2026
A blue graphic with a large tick and the words Fix Wrongs with Rights. The tick contains the Australian Human Rights Commission logo and 40 years text, celebrating the commission's anniversary.

Support for global push for UN Convention on the Rights of Older Persons

Older people’s rights
Media Release
2 February 2026
An older man with short gray hair and glasses, wearing a blue blazer over a light pink collared shirt, smiles at the camera against a plain white background.

Commissioners urge national action on racism following Perth Invasion Day attack

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
Media Release
28 January 2026
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Katie Kiss

Major UN review urges Australia to raise age of criminal responsibility, adopt Human Rights Act

Rights and Freedoms
Media Release
26 January 2026
Universal Periodic Review 2026 Geneva

Commission welcomes the announcement of the Royal Commission

Race discrimination
Media Release
9 January 2026

Concerns Queensland's call on gender-affirming healthcare will cause harm and distress

LGBTIQA+
Media Release
19 December 2025
Trans flag

Cookie policy

This site uses cookies to analyse traffic, remember your preferences, and optimise your experience. We use some essential cookies to make this service work. We’d also like to use analytics cookies so we can understand how you use the service and make improvements. For more information see our Privacy Policy.

Have a question about discrimination or sexual harassment? Want to know more about human rights? Contact us if you need help.

Contact us
Subscribe to our mailing list to join a community of human rights advocates, and stay in the loop about our latest updates.