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Commission - General
3 October 2025PublicationAnnual Report 2024-25
The Annual Report is our primary performance reporting document for our activities over the period 2024-25, including our financial statements. -
Commission - General
4 August 2025Speech
A Human Rights Vision for Rural and Regional Australia
Hugh de Kretser discusses human rights issues facing regional, rural and remote Australian communities at the July 2025 Community Legal Centres NSW Summit. Limited access to healthcare and education, the impact of climate change and disasters and justice for First Nations communities are just some of the challenges rural communities experience in Australia. -
Commission - General
5 November 2024Publication
Annual Report 2023-24
Overview of the Australian Human Rights Commission's activities and achievements for 2023-24. -
Commission - General
6 August 2025E-bulletin (Monthly)
President's message | August 2025
Dear friends, Protecting people's rights in rural and regional Australia People living in rural, regional and remote areas of Australia face greater challenges in realising their human rights than people in the cities. So it was good to speak about this at the recent rural, regional and remote community legal centre summit in Port Macquarie. Jesuit Social Services’ Dropping off the Edge… -
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Commission - General
4 October 2024Media Release
Commission President reiterates calls for upholding human rights as violence in the Middle East escalates
As the violence in the Middle East escalates, and with the approaching anniversary of the brutal 7 October attacks by Hamas and the start of Israel’s devastating and continuing response, the President of the Australian Human Rights Commission has reiterated its call for upholding human rights and international humanitarian law. -
Commission - General
11 September 2024E-bulletin (Monthly)
September 2024: Commission News | President's Message
Dear friends, It was good to reflect at the recent Law Institute of Victoria Legal Sector Dinner on access to justice, the role of lawyers and the law. Too often our legal system delivers unequal access to justice – different standards of justice depending on who you are, where you live and how much is in your bank account. Laws granting people rights are meaningless if people can’t enforce… -
Commission - General
3 November 2022Publication
Annual Report 2021-2022
Complaint Statistics 2021-2022 Download PDF | Download Word You can access the Australian Human Rights Commission 2021 – 2022 Annual Report at the Australian Government Transparency Portal. The year in review The 2021–22 financial year has been an extremely challenging one for the Australian Human Rights Commission, as we have sought to secure the institution’s financial sustainability,… -
Commission - General
4 February 2025E-bulletin (Monthly)
President's message | February 2025
UN decisions confirm Australia's human rights obligations to refugees and people seeking asylum sent offshore The Refugee Convention is the international community’s commitment to work together to protect people fleeing violence and persecution. When Australia agreed to be bound by the Refugee Convention and its 1967 protocol, we agreed to protect refugees who came to our country seeking… -
Commission - General
7 March 2025Media Release
Australian women are diverse, so the approach to women’s safety should be as well
This International Women’s Day, the Commissioners at the Australian Human Rights Commission stand together to call for urgent action to ensure that all women and girls—of every background, age or disability—can live free from violence, discrimination, and inequality. This year’s International Women’s Day theme, “For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment,” is a reminder that… -
Commission - General
7 November 2023Publication
Annual Report 2022-23
The Australian Human Rights Commission has been through a period of great change this financial year. Dedicated focus on governance enhancements and improving financial management has placed the Commission in a more positive financial position than it has been in recent years. -
Commission - General
14 December 2012Webpage
Violence, Harassment and Bullying and Homelessness
Download in PDF Download in Word Table Of Contents Homelessness in Australia Homelessness and human rights Why are violence, harassment and bullying human rights issues? Protection from violence, harassment and bullying is a stand-alone human right Violence, harassment and bullying as a cause of homelessness Violence, harassment and bullying against people experiencing homelessness Hidden,… -
Commission - General
31 October 2024Speech
Eastern Community Legal Centre Multidisciplinary Forum
Hugh de Kretser discusses the impact of multidisciplinary legal practice, highlighting the intersection of legal and social issues and the importance of integrated support. -
Commission - General
14 December 2022Speech
2022 Human Rights Day Oration by Larissa Behrendt
"No More Just Tinkering at the Edges" Human Rights Day Oration by Distinguished Professor Larissa Behrendt AO 9 December 2022 I pay my respects to the Gadigal and the Elders who have kept knowledge on this country and shared so generously this unceded land. Before I start, I would like to thank the Commission for the honour of the 2021 Human Rights Medal. The award reflects a long-term… -
Commission - General
2 March 2021E-bulletin (Monthly)
March ebulletin
Support for Anti-Racism Framework In a report published in February, the Senate inquiry on ‘issues facing diaspora communities’ recommended funding the development of a comprehensive national anti-racism framework and to consider resourcing the Race Discrimination Commissioner to reinvigorate the existing National Anti-Racism Strategy. Race Discrimination Commissioner Chin Tan spoke to Nine … -
Commission - General
29 November 2016Book page
Recommendations
Recommendation 1: The Australian Government follow up the initial meetings with Indigenous leadership with regular consultations which materially inform policy and legislation impacting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Recommendation 2: The Australian Government pursue the key priorities for change and recommendations outlined in the Redfern Statement, utilising the Council of … -
Commission - General
13 November 2014Book page
The Year in Review
Building understanding and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms We all have a responsibility to respect the rights and freedoms of others. To make this a reality, the Commission works to build greater understanding of human rights and their importance in daily life. This is one of our two key priorities for 2011-2014. We work with a broad range of groups across the country,… -
Commission - General
30 January 2013Webpage
Finalists 2012
Human Rights Medal 2011 - Ron Merkel QC, accepted by Bianca Merkel Finalists for the Human Rights Medal have been announced with all remaining category finalists to be announced next week Nominees are entered in either general categories or media categories. General categories include the Human Rights Medal, Young People’s Human Rights Medal, Law, Business, Community (Individual), Community … -
Commission - General
15 November 2017Webpage
Winners and Finalists of the 2017 Human Rights Awards
Human Rights Medal The Human Rights Medal is awarded to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of human rights in Australia. The medal has a rich history of prestigious winners. WINNER: Johnathan Thurston NRL star Johnathan was recently named the 2018 Queensland Australian of the Year for his ongoing commitment to improving the life outcomes for Aboriginal… -
Commission - General
27 March 2015Book page
3 Key issues emerging from the consultation
Right to freedom of expression Right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion Right to freedom of association Property rights The objective of Rights & Responsibilities 2014 was to actively seek and listen to people’s views across the country about how well their rights and freedoms are protected in Australia. This process provided an opportunity to identify systemic human rights…
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