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Multicultural businesswomen brainstorm cooperating at office meeting.
Sex Discrimination

Speaking from Experience Project

The Australian Human Rights Commission has launched Speaking from Experience, landmark project that centres the voices of people with lived experience in workplace sexual harassment reform.

Train exemption
Legal

Train exemption

Learn how the Commission received a joint application from the Queensland government and Queensland Rail for temporary exemptions to disability acts.
Bringing Them Home - interactive educational resource
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Bringing Them Home - interactive educational resource

Bringing them Home was the name given to the final report of the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from Their Families conducted by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (now called the Australian Human Rights Commission). The National...
Two men holding hands, getting married
LGBTIQ+

Marriage equality

The Australian Human Rights Commission considers that the fundamental human rights principle of equality means that civil marriage should be available, without discrimination, to all couples, regardless of sex, sexual orientation or gender identity. Position Paper Marriage equality in a changing...
Woman in gym
Legal

Current exemption applications

Exemption application under the Sex Discrimination Act The Australian Human Rights Commission has received an application from CJC Operations Australia Pty Ltd, trading as Curves. This application is made pursuant to s 44 of the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth) (SDA) and is for an exemption from...
Federal Discrimination Law 2016
Rights and Freedoms

Federal Discrimination Law 2016

Federal Discrimination Law is produced by the Commission’s legal section and provides an overview of the federal unlawful discrimination laws and examines the significant issues that have arisen in the federal unlawful discrimination cases. It also contains comprehensive tables of damages awards...
Outdoor metal statue of Justice with sky in background.
Race Discrimination

Race hate and the RDA

Learn about racial vilification laws in Australia, including sections 18C and 18D of the RDA.
Business planning meeting
Business and Human Rights

Roundtable and Joint Civil Society Statement on Business and Human Rights (2016)

In March 2016, the Australian Government announced its intention to undertake a national consultation on the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs). On 25 May 2016, the Australian Human Rights Commission co-hosted a roundtable with the Human Rights Law...
sunset tree
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

Indigenous Property Rights

Background In May 2015, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Mick Gooda and the then Human Rights Commissioner, Tim Wilson co-convened an Indigenous Leaders Roundtable on economic development and property rights on Yawuru country in Broome, Western Australia (Broome...
International

HRTC highlights newsletter - April 2016

Working internationally to advance human rights Welcome Welcome to the first bi-annual newsletter for the Human Rights Technical Cooperation (HRTC) Programs. HRTC Highlights is a new initiative that will provide you with updates from our international human rights activities. This edition highlights...
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...
Worker with Down Syndrome and co-worker. Image from iStock.
Legal

BSWAT: temporary exemption

On 18 December 2015 the Commission granted a limited, conditional, temporary exemption to the Commonwealth and certain ADEs.
Hunting Wanuway, image (c)
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 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 Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination . To...
Human Rights Commissioner, Tim Wilson
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...