Four finalists have been selected from a diverse range of nominations for the 2018 Human Rights Awards’ Government Award.

This year marks the first time our Awards recognise Government as a stand-alone category.

“There are many Government groups and individuals helping others overcome discrimination and isolation and building tolerance and respect in the community and further afield,” said Australian Human Rights Commission President, Professor Rosalind Croucher.

The finalists are;

The Australian Human Rights Commission has announced six finalists for the 2017 Human Rights Medal.

Among them is Chrissie Foster and her husband Anthony. Sadly, Anthony passed away earlier this year, aged 64. The couple spent more than twenty years advocating and campaigning for survivors of child sex abuse, after two of their three daughters were abused by a Catholic priest in Melbourne. Their advocacy helped bring about the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

Five outstanding Australians have been named as finalists for the 2017 Tony Fitzgerald Memorial Community Individual Award.

“There are so many individuals working tirelessly to improve human rights in our communities,” said President of the Australian Human Rights Commission, Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher.

“This Award is a chance for impressive Australians to be recognised for their dedication to human rights and it particularly highlights the profound impact that one person can have on an entire community,” she said.

This year saw a substantial increase in the number of nominations for the Media Award.

“The large number of nominations for the media category is testament to the strength of Australian journalism despite a rapidly changing media landscape.

“It is encouraging that so many journalists are producing high quality work on human rights issues,” said President Rosalind Croucher.

The 5 finalists are:

Nominations are now open for the 2017 Human Rights Awards, giving all Australians the opportunity to nominate individuals, organisations, businesses or community groups for their dedication to human rights.

The eight Awards categories are: