What is the Commission doing during COVID-19?

Since the start of COVID-19 the Commission has provided advice directly to the federal government, various committees and key organisations to ensure measures to combat COVID-19 protect peoples’ human rights now and advance them in the recovery phase.

The Commission has continued to investigate and conciliate complaints and provide our National Information Service throughout the pandemic to those facing discrimination on matters related to COVID-19 and otherwise.

COVID-19 reports

The Commission has developed reports on COVID-19 human rights related issues, including:

• Management of COVID-19 risks in immigration detention (2021)
• Guidelines on the rights of people with disability in health and disability care during COVID-19 
• Impacts of COVID-19 on children and young people who contact Kids Helpline.

Advocacy

Our Commissioners have been working closely with organisations on the frontline, advocating on their behalf to government and continuing our vital work of helping to make marginalised voices heard. 

Our usual work continues  

The Commission has also continued its usual work throughout COVID-19, with several major projects, including:

• an Independent Review into Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces
• an independent review of Gymnastics in Australia
• the Human Rights and Technology final report
• developing a National Anti-Racism Framework
• a nationwide elder abuse awareness campaign.