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Rights and Freedoms
Lorraine Finlay commences term as Human Rights Commissioner
Lorraine Finlay has commenced her term as Human Rights Commissioner. Commissioner Finlay, whose appointment was announced in September, said she was looking forward to working to protect and promote human rights and freedoms with her colleagues at the Australian Human Rights Commission.
Rights and Freedoms
Commission welcomes appointment of Human Rights Commissioner
The Australian Human Rights Commission welcomes the Government’s decision to fill the role of Human Rights Commissioner, a role which is a foundational one to the Commission.
Rights and Freedoms
Commission welcomes ParentsNext Inquiry recommendations
The Australian Human Rights Commission has welcomed the release of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights’ Inquiry report on the ParentsNext program. The report, ParentsNext: examination of Social Security (Parenting payment participation requirements – class of persons) Instrument...
Rights and Freedoms
Commission’s report into prolonged detention following visa cancellation
The Government should appoint an independent reviewer to examine the basis for the continued detention of people who have been in immigration detention for prolonged periods, including a detailed assessment of any risk they pose to the community, the President of the Australian Human Rights...
Rights and Freedoms
Statement on travel ban and sanctions on Australians travelling from India
The travel ban on Australian citizens returning from India, accompanied by criminal sanctions under the Biosecurity Act, raises serious human rights concerns. The Commission supports the continuation of aid to the Indian Government as it copes with the current COVID-19 crisis, but the Commission...
Rights and Freedoms
Greater scrutiny of emergency powers needed
The Australian Human Rights Commission has called for greater accountability to be embedded in laws that extend the Commonwealth’s power in the event of national emergencies. In its submission to a Senate inquiry examining the National Emergency Declaration Act 2020, the Commission recommended five...
