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Rights and Freedoms
22 February 2023News storyUrgent action needed following termination of UN inspection
The Australian Human Rights Commission says an extraordinary decision to terminate a tour of Australian places of detention by United Nations inspectors reflects Australia’s fragmented approach to protecting the human rights of people in detention. -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
16 March 2022News storyUrgent funding needed to support Indigenous community-led health solutions
The Close the Gap campaign has called for an urgent investment in community-led health services to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across the country. The 2022 Close the Gap Report: Transforming Power – Voices for Generational Change has 12 recommendations for large-scale transformation and systemic reform to avoid further preventable deaths and… -
Rights and Freedoms
14 December 2012Opinion piece
No need to abandon human rights to be tough on terror (2006)
In the post-September 11 world, debate about counter-terrorism is often characterised as an argument between 'the realists', who appreciate the need for tough new counter-terrorism laws, and 'the out of touch', who fail to take the terrorist threat seriously. -
Children's Rights
9 September 2022SpeechEvery child, in every community, needs a fair go. Shining a light on supporting children to grow up safe and supported
His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC, Governor-General of Australia, and Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley. Thank you for launching National Child Protection Week 2022 and for hosting us today. I would like to acknowledge the traditional owners of this land, the Ngunnawal people, and pay my respect to their elders, past, present and emerging, and to all Aboriginal and… -
14 December 2012Book page
The Rights of People with Disabilities: Areas of Need for Increased Protection: Chapter 5: Criminal Justice System
Because of the variability of the information collected by project workers in each State/Territory, this chapter on the criminal justice system takes the form of a general discussion of the situation in , with details of specific State or Territory practices provided where possible. Considerable use has been made of New South Wales examples, due to the detailed contribution received from that… -
Rights and Freedoms
21 January 2022Opinion piece
Novak Djokovic drew global attention to Australia's immigration detention regime. Now we need proper scrutiny of all places of detention
Novak Djokovic’s recent detention at Melbourne’s Park Hotel drew international attention to Australia’s use of hotels as Alternative Places of Detention by immigration authorities. But while Djokovic’s detention was measured in days, others still remaining in the Park Hotel measure their detention in years. Hotels are simply not appropriate places to detain people for extended periods. The… -
6 February 2025Conciliation register
2024-03-01
The complainant has a psychosocial disability and has an assistance dog. She alleged the respondent motel informed her that pets were not permitted and she would need to pay a $60 cleaning fee if she wished to proceed with her booking. The complainant chose to leave. On being informed of the complaint, the motel indicated a willingness to try to resolve the complaint by conciliation. The… -
Sex Discrimination
7 March 2025WebpageWhere to seek help if you've experienced workplace sexual harassment
Find out what options are available to you to seek help if you have experienced workplace sexual harassment depending on your individual circumstances. -
Age Discrimination
19 December 2024WebpageAbout making a complaint
If you experience discrimination, you can address it directly or make a complaint to the Australian Human Rights Commission. Complaints can be made online or in writing. -
13 November 2024Conciliation register
2024-02-04
The complainant uses a wheelchair. She alleged she had difficulty accessing the respondent retail outlet because aisles were obstructed by boxes, displays and decorations. She claimed when she raised the issue with the store manager she was treated in a disrespectful manner. The retailer advised the complainant’s experience was an isolated incident and inconsistent with its policies. The… -
Rights and Freedoms
30 October 2024News story
COVID Review a good start, but human toll must be recognised
The findings of a federal review into the country’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted more needs to be done by all levels of governments to acknowledge the human cost of the pandemic response and ultimately restore public trust, says Australia’s Human Rights Commissioner, Lorraine Finlay. -
Children's Rights
21 November 2024News story
Proposed Social Media Ban for Under-16s in Australia
The Australian Government is proposing laws that will require technology companies to restrict individuals under the age of 16 years from accessing their social media platforms. -
Technology and Human Rights
30 October 2024SubmissionGuardrails for High-risk AI
Learn more about the need for an Australian Artificial Intelligence Act to better protect human rights -
Commission – General
9 October 2024E-bulletin (Monthly)October 2024: Commission News | President's message
Dear friends, Australia is one of the safest, most stable and prosperous countries on the planet. For most of us, most of the time, it is a great place to live. For many Australians, human rights violations are things that happen to other people in other places, often overseas. This can lead to complacency about our own rights protection and the importance of protecting the rights of those… -
Technology and Human Rights
30 October 2024Submission
Privacy and Doxxing Reform Bill
Learn more about how reforms to the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth) will better protect human rights in Australia -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
1 November 2024News story
Ending QLD Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry is harmful and divisive
The Queensland Government’s decision to abolish the state’s Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry and repeal its Path to Treaty Act marks a major step backwards for First Nations rights, says Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Katie Kiss. -
Age Discrimination
11 December 2024News story
New project to tackle financial elder abuse
The Commission is bringing together representatives from the banking and financial services sector and peak community organisations to work together to improve the prevention and response to elder abuse. -
Children's Rights
11 October 2024News story
NT Government urged not to lower age of criminal responsibility
The National Children’s Commissioner and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Commissioner have urged the Northern Territory Government to reverse its plan next week to introduce a new law to lower the age of criminal responsibility from 12 to ten years. -
17 September 2024Conciliation register
2023-08-07
The complainant is a single mother of a school-aged child and worked in a management role with the respondent company. The company required staff in management to work on both days on weekends. The complainant said she informed the company she would be unable to work on both days on the weekend because of her family responsibilities. She said that, after initially accommodating her needs,… -
Rights and Freedoms
4 September 2024Submission
Inquiry into the National Housing and Homelessness Plan Bill 2024 (No. 2)
The Australian Human Rights Commission welcomed the opportunity to make this submission to the Senate Economics Legislation Committee in relation to its Inquiry into the National Housing and Homelessness Plan Bill 2024 (No. 2). This Private Members Bill, sponsored by Ms Kylea Tink MP and Senator David Pocock is to be commended for applying a human rights-based approach to housing policy (direct…