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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
6 November 2024Opinion pieceThe year our Voice broke: The fallout from the failed referendum
“It’s gone.” That’s what Mick Gooda said to me plaintively half an hour into counting the votes to enshrine a First Nations Voice to parliament in our constitution on October 14, 2023. I’d started that day – a year ago today – with a high level of optimism that Australia was going to do this, that Australia would get this right, that Australia would make history. How wrong I was. Instead,… -
Children's Rights
10 October 2024Opinion pieceAustralia is failing its children. A ‘tough on crime’ approach to youth justice puts politics before prevention
In an opinion piece published in The Guardian Australian, National Children's Commissioner Anne Hollonds reflects on the urgent need for child justice reform after the release of a landmark report by the AHRC. -
Race Discrimination
10 October 2024Opinion pieceAlbanese’s cabinet reshuffle is a chance to reset the rhetoric on immigration and multiculturalism
As Race Discrimination Commissioner Giridharan Sivaraman writes for The Guardian Australia, the language used when speaking about those seeking our protection matters. He writes that Australia must take action against discrimination and racism – starting from the top. -
Commission - General
3 July 2024Opinion pieceLet’s resist the worst of times with the best of humanity
When I began my term as President of the Australian Human Rights Commission seven years ago, the marriage equality plebiscite was engulfing our nation, in much the same way as the recent Voice referendum did. -
Race Discrimination
30 May 2024Opinion piece
Race Discrimination Commissioner: Why ABC chiefs should back Laura Tingle for calling out racism
This opinion piece by Race Discrimination commissioner Giridharan Sivaraman appeared in The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald. -
Rights and Freedoms
29 May 2024Opinion pieceIn silence, anti-Semitism and racism flourishes
This opinion piece by Human Rights Commissioner Lorraine Finlay appeared in The Nightly on Wednesday 27 March 2024. The foundation of universal human rights lies in recognising the inherent dignity and equal rights of every single human being. Human rights can’t be applied selectively. Every Australian, regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, or any other distinction, has the… -
Sex Discrimination
28 May 2024Opinion pieceWhen it comes to domestic violence, the response cannot be one-size-fits-all
In the past weeks, we have seen tens of thousands of Australians united in a single message: no more violence against women. From the time emergency National Cabinet was called to the time they met; three more women had been killed. We have an epidemic of gendered violence in this country, and we must - and can - do better. On Wednesday, the federal government announced a commitment of $925 … -
Technology and Human Rights
6 May 2024Opinion pieceProtecting Free Speech Doesn’t Mean Dismissing Online Safety
This opinion piece by Human Rights Commissioner, Lorraine Finlay, appeared in The Australian on Monday 29 April 2024. When President Roosevelt gave the 1941 State of the Union Address he spoke of four essential human freedoms that people ‘everywhere in the world’ ought to enjoy. The very first of these was freedom of speech and expression. Free speech was listed first because it is the… -
Rights and Freedoms
3 May 2024Opinion piece
We need debate on sensible limits on free speech
When president Franklin D. Roosevelt gave the 1941 State of the Union address he spoke of four essential human freedoms people “everywhere in the world” ought to enjoy. The very first of these was freedom of speech and expression. Free speech was listed first because it is the bedrock of democracy. Salman Rushdie famously described it as “the whole thing, the whole ball game. Free speech is… -
Technology and Human Rights
28 February 2024Opinion piece
Let’s not elevate brain tech over our humanity
Learn more about how Neuralink's successful implantation could raise human rights issues about neurotechnology. -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
7 December 2023Opinion pieceHasty detainee laws raise human rights concerns
Read an opinion piece from Australia's Human Rights Commissioner Lorraine Finlay raising concerns about the passage of new laws responding to the fallout from the recent NZYQ High Court decision.