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Complaints

Projects

OPCAT
Rights Rights and Freedoms

OPCAT: Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture

The Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT) is an international agreement aimed at preventing torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. OPCAT places an obligation to establish a system of regular...

Children Rights Report
Children's Children's Rights

Children want a family free from violence

Article 19 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child gives to every child the absolute right to live free from all forms of violence, and requires protection for children who are exposed to and witness family and domestic violence. In 2015, the National Children’s Commissioner,...
Project MCC
Discrimination Sex Discrimination

Male Champions of Change

In April 2010, Commissioner Broderick was instrumental in bringing together some of Australia’s most influential and diverse male CEOs and Chairpersons to form the Male Champions of Change group. The group aims to use their individual and collective influence and commitment to ensure the issue of...
Disability Disability Rights

Assistance animals and the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth)

It ’s widely recognised that some people with disability require support services and assistive technology to facilitate their active participation in public life and for personal activities. The types of support that can be provided can come from a range of sources, including by trained and skilled...
Supporting Working Parents
Discrimination Sex Discrimination

Supporting Working Parents website and online resources

A website and online resources for employers and employees that outlines rights and obligations in the workplace related to pregnancy, parental leave and return to work. www.supportingworkingparents.gov.au
Immigration detention centre in dusty field
Asylum Asylum Seekers and Refugees

Immigration detention and human rights

Last updated 6 January 2016 The human rights of people who are in immigration detention are of special concern to the Commission. Liberty is a fundamental human right, recognised in major human rights instruments to which Australia is a party, including the International Covenant on Civil and...
Worker with Down Syndrome and co-worker. Image from iStock.
Legal Legal

BSWAT: temporary exemption

On 18 December 2015 the Commission granted a limited, conditional, temporary exemption to the Commonwealth and certain ADEs.
Hand holding house toy
Children's Children's Rights

Effects of family and domestic violence on children and young people

About this project In 2015 the National Children’s Commissioner conducted research and consultations on the impact of family and domestic violence on children and young people. The Commissioner’s investigation involved a series of expert roundtables, individual consultations and a submissions...
Hunting Wanuway, image (c)
Aboriginal Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Native Title

Native title is a property right which reflects a relationship to land which is the very foundation of Indigenous religion, culture and well-being. The non-discriminatory protection of native title is a recognised human right.
Race Race Discrimination

Racial discrimination? Know your rights

The Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth) was a landmark in Australian race relations. It was a legislative expression of a new commitment to multiculturalism and it reflected the ratification by Australia of the International Covention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination . To...
Human Rights Commissioner, Tim Wilson
Rights Rights and Freedoms

Religious Freedom Roundtable

In 2014, former Human Rights Commissioner Tim Wilson MP conducted a national consultation on rights and responsibilities. The outcomes from this consultation are outlined in the Rights and Responsibilities Consultation Report 2015 . The importance of, and threats to, religious freedom was...
Discrimination Sex Discrimination

Deaths from family and domestic violence

Enhancing systems to support coronial investigations into domestic / family violence deaths Domestic and family violence homicides are devastating for families and communities. Almost every week in Australia one woman is killed by her current or former partner, often after a history of domestic...
Discrimination Sex Discrimination

A workplace issue and a discrimination issue

Domestic and family violence is a workplace issue. Having domestic/family violence as a new protected attribute in anti-discrimination legislation can provide another avenue of protection for victims and survivors who experience discrimination, as well as lead to improved measures for addressing...
Discrimination Sex Discrimination

International Cooperation on Women’s Rights and Domestic Violence

Women’s rights and addressing domestic violence feature prominently in the Commission’s international cooperation work. The China-Australia Human Rights Technical Cooperation Program has been in operation since 1998 and is part of the formal human rights dialogue between the two countries. Under...
Magna Carta: The Story of Our Freedom - screenshot
Rights Rights and Freedoms

Magna Carta: The Story of Our Freedom

To mark the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta, the Australian Human Rights Commission has created a series of online educational resources which explore the evolution of human rights since 1215 and the impact that Magna Carta has had on our human rights and freedoms in Australia. The digital...