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Rights and Freedoms
29 August 2025Media ReleaseHuman Rights Commissioner concerned about proposed changes to Migration Act
Human Rights Commissioner Lorraine Finlay has expressed serious concerns about the Federal Government’s proposed changes to the Migration Act, warning they could undermine human rights and breach Australia’s international legal obligations. -
Rights and Freedoms
1 September 2025Opinion piece
Fairness isn't something that can be selectively applied. Australia is better than this
In an opinion piece published by The Canberra Times, Human Rights Commissioner Lorraine Finlay criticises the Federal Government proposed amendments to the Migration Act. She argues the proposed changes that remove procedural fairness in deportation decisions risk violating human rights, undermine the rule of law, and cause serious harm. -
Rights and Freedoms
26 June 2025Opinion piece
Australia’s torture failures must end
In an opinion piece published in The Mandarin, Human Rights Commissioner Lorraine Finlay decries Australia’s ongoing failures in torture protection. The piece was published on the 1989 anniversary of Australia signing up to the UN Convention Against Torture. -
Rights and Freedoms
16 July 2019Media Release
Urgent call for Federal Government to protect 30,000 refugees and asylum seekers at risk in the community
The Australian Human Rights Commission calls on the Australian Government to make urgent changes to improve protections for approximately 30,000 refugees and asylum seekers living in the Australian community. A new report released today, Lives on hold: Refugees and asylum seekers in the ‘Legacy Caseload’, reveals the human rights situation for approximately 30,000 refugees and asylum seekers… -
Rights and Freedoms
16 October 2023Media Release
Finalists announced for 2023 Australian Human Rights Awards
Monday 16 October 2023: A diverse array of people and organisations from across Australia have been selected as finalists for this year’s Australian Human Rights Awards, the country’s premier national event for honouring and celebrating Australia’s human rights heroes. The 21 finalists were selected from over 260 nominations across five categories, including the prestigious Australian Human… -
Rights and Freedoms
8 October 2019Speech
UN Human Rights Commissioner speaks out
Australian Human Rights Commission conference Free and Equal: An Australian Conversation on Human Rights Statement by Michelle Bachelet, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights 8 October 2019 President of the Australian Human Rights Commission, Rosalind Croucher and fellow Commissioners Mr Les Malezer, Member of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, Members of Parliament and… -
Rights and Freedoms
15 March 2024Speech
Free + Equal: Australian Conversation on Human Rights Closing Remarks
Closing Remarks Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM President, Australian Human Rights Commission Check against delivery For a start, thank you Julia, Dr Baird for that wonderful MC-ing of the day. What an array of fantastic insights! I said at the beginning that it would be challenging, insightful and exciting and I'm sure that, from my perspective, it's been every one of those things… -
Rights and Freedoms
11 November 2022Media Release
Human Rights Commissioner to raise juvenile and immigration detention concerns with UN torture committee in Geneva
Australia’s Human Rights Commissioner is set to appear before the United Nations Committee Against Torture in Geneva next week to provide analysis of how Australia measures up against our obligations under the UN’s Convention Against Torture (CAT) and its associated Optional Protocol (OPCAT). -
Rights and Freedoms
27 May 2021Video
Accessible technology: Human Rights and Technology 2021
New technology can make our community more inclusive – but we need smart design that works for everyone. The Australian Human Rights Commission's new report on Human Rights and Technology recommends new standards to ensure accessible technology for all, as Human Rights Commissioner Edward Santow explains. Read more: https://tech.humanrights.gov.au -
Rights and Freedoms
18 November 2022Speech
Housing and human rights - rights where it matters
Sandy Duncanson Memorial Lecture Housing and human rights – rights where it matters Hobart, 11 October 2022 Abstract Homelessness can happen to anyone. People with disability are at an increased risk and they are joined by a growing invisible cohort of older women. COVID-19 was a trigger for state governments to find shelter for people living rough, illustrating that solutions to… -
Rights and Freedoms
27 May 2021Video
Accountable AI decision making: Human Rights and Technology 2021
Artificial Intelligence offers great opportunities – but it also has the potential to do great harm. The Australian Human Rights Commission’s new Human Rights and Technology report recommends safeguards to protect the community, as Human Rights Commissioner Ed Santow explains. Read more: https://tech.humanrights.gov.au -
Rights and Freedoms
31 July 2019Speech
Free and Equal: A National Reform Agenda for Human Rights in Australia for the next decade
Commission President Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM addressed the Castan Centre human rights conference on July 26. The topic was ‘Free and Equal’: A National Reform Agenda for Human Rights in Australia for the next decade. Thank you to the Castan Centre, and its Director, Professor Sarah Joseph, for inviting me to speak. Let me begin by acknowledging the traditional custodians of… -
Rights and Freedoms
3 April 2013Publication
Asylum seekers and refugees
back to Immigration detention, Asylum Seekers and Refugees Who are asylum seekers and refugees? What are Australia’s human rights obligations towards asylum seekers and refugees? Are asylum seekers and refugees subject to immigration detention in Australia? What does the Commission do to monitor conditions and treatment of people held in immigration detention? How are asylum seekers’ claims…