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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice9 July 2021Speech
LISTEN. THINK. TRUST. ACT. DIFFERENTLY. Intersectional Movements and a Gender Equal and Just Futures
Panel: Think: Associate Professor Chelsea Watego Trust: Aunty Jackie Huggins, Co-chair Treaty Advancement Committee Act: June Oscar, Social Justice Commissioner, Australian Human Rights Commission I want to acknowledge the lands we all stand on—all our elders past, present and emerging, wherever we are beaming in from today. Good morning everyone. I am really happy to be here and… -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice28 May 2020Opinion piece
Learning from crisis
Six weeks ago I returned to my traditional homeland near Fitzroy Crossing in Western Australia. Thanks to modern technology, I am working remotely and continuing my duties as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner. Like many Aboriginal people, I chose to return to Country because COVID-19 travel restrictions made homeland communities the safest place to see out the… -
Children's Rights12 July 2019Speech
Children’s Rights in Australia: looking back and moving forward
Good morning everyone. I’d like to begin today by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land, the Widjabul people of the Bundjalung nation. I acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make. I also pay my respects to elders past, present and emerging. I’d also like to thank Professor Anne Graham for inviting me to speak to you today. And I also want to … -
Children's Rights5 September 2022Media Release
Ongoing juvenile detention crisis a failure of basic support for kids and families
Commissioner Hollonds said vulnerable children and their families have been let down by federal, state and territory governments for decades with key recommendations from various inquiries and Royal Commissions going unimplemented. -
Children's Rights16 November 2021Media Release
Proposal to raise the age does not go far enough
All 16 of Australia’s children’s commissioners, guardians and advocates say a commitment by state attorneys-general to develop a proposal to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 12 does not go far enough. In a joint statement, Australian children’s commissioners, guardians and advocates said: “We are pleased that some jurisdictions have for the first time indicated they will look at… -
8 December 2020Book page
Part 4: Healthy and engaged lives
Learn how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and girls face challenges with their health, wellbeing and education and how this is being addressed. -
Children's Rights6 April 2022Publication
Child-friendly version of Keeping kids safe and well (2022)
Most of the kids I spoke to said it was very important that the government listens to what they have to say. -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice27 May 2021Speech
Speech for Reconciliation Week
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner June Oscar AO made this speech at the WA Reconciliation Breakfast on May 29, 2021 Yaningi warangira ngindaji yuwa muwayi ingirranggu, Bunuba yani U. Balangarri wadjirragali jarra ningi gamali ngindaji yau muwayi nyirrami ngarri thangani. Yaningi miya ngindaji Muwayi ingga winyira ngirranggu thangani. Yathawarra, wilalawarra -
Technology and Human Rights19 December 2023Speech
Human Rights in AI-powered Immersive Worlds
Read Commissioner Finlay's speech at Metaverse Safety Week 2023 about the importance of human rights and technology. -
Commission – General22 May 2020Opinion piece
COVID-19's unexpected lessons
Six weeks ago I returned to my traditional homeland near Fitzroy Crossing in Western Australia. Thanks to modern technology, I am working remotely and continuing my duties as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner. Like many Aboriginal people, I chose to return to country because COVID-19 travel restrictions made homeland communities the safest place to see out the… -
Rights and Freedoms17 October 2022Media Release
New report aims to help fast-track Australia’s OPCAT implementation process
A new report released today by the Australian Human Rights Commission outlines activities required to expedite Australia’s sluggish approach to implementing the United Nation’s Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT). Informed by the Commission’s recent National OPCAT Symposium, the Road Map to OPCAT Compliance… -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice5 August 2019Speech
Garma: Voices speech
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner June Oscar AO addressed Garma in the Northern Territory on August 3. The topic was 'Voices'. Jalangurru lanygu balangarri. Yaningi yatharra ngindaji yuwa muwayi ingirranggu, Gumatj, Yolngu yani U. Galwurruy, djawa, Djapirri and your family thank you for hosting us. I acknowledge the Yolngu Gamatji people of the land we gather… -
Race Discrimination16 March 2021Media Release
National Anti-Racism Framework plan launched
Australia’s Race Discrimination Commissioner Chin Tan has launched a plan to establish a National Anti-Racism Framework and has called on the Federal Government to support and implement it. Commissioner Tan released a concept paper detailing key components that need to be included in the Framework and will soon commence a series of roundtables with peak anti-racism organisations to progress… -
Rights and Freedoms7 December 2023Media Release
Report tabled: Revitalising Australia’s commitment to human rights
Commonwealth Attorney-General, the Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP has tabled a report by the Australian Human Rights Commission that calls for a renewed National Human Rights Framework and National Human Rights Act to better protect the rights of all people in Australia. The report, Revitalising Australia’s commitment to human rights, provides 12 recommendations to improve government accountability … -
Technology and Human Rights15 May 2023Opinion piece
‘Weaponised' AI an existential threat to truth, human rights
This opinion piece by Human Rights Commissioner Lorraine Finlay appeared in The Australian on Monday 15 May 2023. In George Orwell's 1984, the Ministry of Truth exercises absolute control of information according to The Party ethos, “Who controls the past, controls the future: who controls the present, controls the past”. If the Ministry of Truth existed today, a more accurate slogan would… -
8 December 2020Book page
Part 3: Living and belonging
Learn about the Wiyi Yani U Thangani project, which works to improve health, housing and education outcomes for Indigenous women and girls in Australia. -
Rights and Freedoms18 November 2021Opinion piece
Loss of freedoms and rights has harmed us
OPINION November 18, 2021 Ronald Reagan famously said that “freedom is a fragile thing and it’s never more than one generation away from extinction”. For many Australians, until recently, freedom has been something we have largely been able to take for granted in our daily lives. But with millions of Australians only recently emerging from lengthy lockdowns, and every single one of us still… -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees13 October 2020Opinion piece
Who are we leaving behind?
In presenting last week’s Federal Budget, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said, “we will get through this together.” Togetherness is an important value in Australia. It speaks to the basic liberal democratic principle that no-one in our community should be left behind. While much of last week’s Budget analysis focused on the details of tax breaks and tax cuts, at a basic level the Budget is also a… -
Children's Rights15 November 2022News story
Governments must urgently address youth justice crisis
The Australian Human Rights Commission calls on all Australian governments to urgently address the national crisis in youth justice to prevent further harm to children in detention, and to reduce youth offending through effective systems of support. -
Rights and Freedoms22 May 2024Event
Free + Equal Human Rights Conference 2024
Join leaders, experts and advocates from across Australia for a historic national forum that will pave the way for a much-needed overhaul of Australia’s human rights framework, including the introduction of an Australian Human Rights Act. The conference includes 12 engaging sessions and events over two days featuring a diverse line-up of more than 50 eminent experts, thought leaders, social …