Children's Rights
Australia’s National Children’s Commissioner Anne Hollonds has welcomed the Commonwealth Government’s new Early Years Strategy as an important step towards prioritising the wellbeing of Australia’s children. Commissioner Hollonds said: “The Early Years Strategy will be an opportunity for cross...
Children's Rights
The Australian Human Rights Commission calls on all Australian governments to urgently address the national crisis in youth justice to prevent further harm to children in detention, and to reduce youth offending through effective systems of support.
Rights and Freedoms
Australia’s Human Rights Commissioner is set to appear before the United Nations Committee Against Torture in Geneva next week to provide analysis of how Australia measures up against our obligations under the UN’s Convention Against Torture (CAT) and its associated Optional Protocol (OPCAT)...
Race Discrimination
The Attorney-General of Australia, the Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP, has committed the Government to addressing racism in his keynote address at last week's Kep Enderby Memorial Lecture. “Australia’s continued success as a multicultural nation must include an ongoing commitment to addressing racism,” the...
Sex Discrimination
The Respect@Work Council, chaired by National Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins, has launched a new website that will help employers prevent and respond to sexual harassment, and will support them to create gender inclusive, safe, and respectful workplaces. In an Australian first, the...
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
Joint statement from Commissioner Oscar, Commissioner Tan, and Commissioner Hollonds We are deeply saddened by the death of 15-year-old Cassius Turvey last week in Perth. As this matter is before the courts, it would not be appropriate for us to make comment on the circumstances surrounding...
Race Discrimination
Australia’s Race Discrimination Commissioner has welcomed the federal budget announcement that $7.5 million over 4 years will be provided to the Australian Human Rights Commission to develop a national strategy to tackle racism and promote racial equality in Australia. Race Discrimination...
Commission – General
The Australian Human Rights Commission has welcomed the passage in the Senate today of the Australian Human Rights Commission Legislation Amendment (Selection and Appointment) Bill 2022. The Bill ensures Commissioner appointments are publicly advertised and subject to an open, transparent and merit...
Rights and Freedoms
The Australian Human Rights Commission is urging all Australian state and territory governments to fully commit to implementing an important human rights framework for people held in detention settings following the suspension of a tour of Australia by United Nations inspectors. A delegation from...
Sex Discrimination
Joint statement from: Kate Jenkins National Sex Discrimination Commissioner June Oscar AO Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Anne Hollonds National Children's Commissioner The Hon Dr Kay Patterson AO Age Discrimination Commissioner The Australian Human Rights...
Rights and Freedoms
A new report released today by the Australian Human Rights Commission outlines activities required to expedite Australia’s sluggish approach to implementing the United Nation’s Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT)...
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
Commonwealth Ombudsman and Human Rights Commissioner’s Joint Statement on the use of Hotel APODs Today, the Commonwealth Ombudsman, Iain Anderson, and Human Rights Commissioner, Lorraine Finlay, published a joint statement on the use of hotels as alternative places of detention (APODs) for people in...
Age Discrimination
Encouraging perpetrators of elder abuse to understand the impact of their actions is the focus of a new awareness campaign from the Australian Human Rights Commission. Launched today to coincide with the 2022 International Day of Older Persons, the Elder Abuse: Shift Your Perspective campaign...
Sex Discrimination
The Commission has welcomed the introduction into Federal Parliament today of the Anti-Discrimination and Human Rights Legislation Amendment (Respect at Work) Bill 2022 (Cth) (Bill). The Government has committed to implementing all 55 recommendations of our Respect@Work: National Inquiry into Sexual...
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
An important gathering of First Nations women – including specialist experts, researchers, frontline workers and women with lived experience of violence – has called on governments across Australia to ensure First Nations women lead all future efforts to prevent violence against First Nations women...
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