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Commission - General
4 November 2025Media ReleaseUrgent action on climate change essential for human rights
The Australian Human Rights Commission is calling for urgent action from government and business to address the escalating impacts of climate change on Australians’ human rights. Launching its first major report on climate change, Human rights on a warming Earth, Commission President Hugh de Kretser said, ‘The evidence on the extreme threat to humans posed by climate change is clear. By… -
Commission - General
6 November 2025E-bulletin (Monthly)
President's message | November 2025
For the common good: climate justice begins with human rights The evidence on the threat to humans posed by climate change is clear. The planet is getting hotter. Seas are rising. Rainfall patterns are changing. In Australia, lives and livelihoods are already being lost to more frequent and severe disasters. The risk of bushfires, drought, floods and heatwaves is increasing. Billions are… -
Commission - General
10 October 2025Speech
Achieving stronger legal human rights protections in Australia
Hugh de Kretser discusses progress and setbacks in Australia's human rights protections at the annual Castan Centre for Human Rights Law Conference in July 2025. -
Commission - General
14 October 2025Speech
Alan Missen Oration 2025
Hugh de Kretser speaks about the legacy of Alan Missen and how his values are reflected in the ongoing work of the Australian Human Rights Commission. 26 August 2025 -
Commission - General
9 October 2025Media Release
Finalists announced for 2025 Australian Human Rights Awards
A diverse group of human rights advocates has been named as finalists in the 2025 Australian Human Rights Awards, ranging from youth support workers and filmmakers to justice advocates and medical professionals. -
Commission - General
3 October 2025Publication
Annual 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
14 December 2012Webpage
Publications
Publications Most Australian Human Rights Commission publications are available in electronic format on this website in our new Publications section in the top menu. This page provides links to the lists of publications by subject area, an order form and a list of recent publications. The current list of printed publications available can be seen by clicking on the order form. Most are free… -
Commission - General
30 June 2023News story
Farewell to Age and Disability Discrimination Commissioners
Commission President Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM has joined with colleagues to farewell and celebrate the achievements of Age Discrimination Commissioner the Hon Dr Kay Patterson AO and Disability Discrimination Commissioner Dr Ben Gauntlett. -
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… -
Commission - General
31 October 2024Speech
Human Rights Act for NSW
Advocating for a NSW Human Rights Act, Hugh de Kretser emphasizes its importance for First Nations and all citizens, highlighting the need for comprehensive human rights protections. -
Commission - General
4 June 2025Speech
Financial Counselling Australia Conference
Hugh de Kretser discusses the importance of truth telling, what he learned working at the Yoorrook Justice Commission, human rights values and the need for Human Rights Acts. -
Commission - General
12 March 2024Speech
A Revitalised National Human Rights Framework for Australia
Marking the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Fraser Oration Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM FAAL FRSA FACLM(Hon) Introduction Vice-Chancellor, Duncan Maskell, Dean Matthew Harding, Mrs Tamie Fraser and the Fraser family, Melbourne Law School staff, distinguished guests, friends I would like to begin by acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land… -
Commission - General
31 March 2025Webpage
Senate File Listing: 1 July 2023 – 31 December 2023
Senate File List for the Australian Human Rights Commission for 1 July 2023 – 31 December 2023 See previous Created Date SiteName Title 2023-09-18 ABF Partnership 002. Correspondence 2023-08-08 ABF Partnership 006. Communications Strategy 2023-09-12 ABF Partnership 010. Research Data 2023-10-12 ABF Partnership 011. Analysis and report 2023-10-31 ABF Partnership 011. Analysis and Report 2023… -
Commission - General
2 April 2025E-bulletin (Monthly)
President's message | April 2025
The vital global role of National Human Rights Institutions Many people who are familiar with the Australian Human Rights Commission are less familiar with the global context in which we operate. The Commission is Australia’s national human rights institution (NHRI) and one of 118 NRHIs globally. NHRIs play a vital role promoting and protecting the human rights of all people in their… -
Commission - General
13 May 2025News story
Data breach notification
The Australian Human Rights Commission has been affected by a data breach concerning attachments uploaded to the Commission’s web forms on its website. -
Commission - General
15 March 2024Speech
Australian Human Rights Commission’s complaint handling jurisdiction
Civil Justice Research Conference 2019 Macquarie University, Sydney Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM [ Professor Croucher spoke to this paper] Abstract The complaint handling role of the Australian Human Rights Commission from time to time attracts some attention in the media—but not always for constructive reasons. This presentation set out the real story. It is one that is a worthy… -
Commission - General
27 July 2023Speech
A new national human rights framework for Australia
Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM FAAL FRSA FACLM(Hon) delivered this speech at The Annual Castan Centre for Human Rights Law Conference on 21 July 2023. Overview The Australian Human Rights Commission is reaching the conclusion of its Free and Equal project, identifying what the national system for protecting human rights should be in Australia. In this keynote, President Croucher… -
Commission - General
12 May 2025Webpage
Data Breach Notification
Notice published 13 May 2025 The Australian Human Rights Commission has been affected by a data breach. The Commission acted to address the breach as soon as it came to our attention. We sincerely apologise for any distress or harm this data breach may have caused. What happened? On 10 April 2025, the Australian Human Rights Commission became aware of a data breach that involved the… -
Commission - General
3 July 2024Speech
National Press Club Address - President Rosalind Croucher - 3 July
Free + Equal: safeguarding the rights of all Australians Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM FAAL FRSA FACLM(Hon) FRSN I would like to begin by acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land on which we are meeting today, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to any First Nations People attending in person or watching today’s broadcast. Commissioner…