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A central function of HREOC is to undertake education programs that increase public awareness and generate discussion of human rights and anti-discrimination issues within Australia. HREOC’s legislative responsibilities are:

Key Finding of Review The Review found that: There needs to be a strong reaffirmation of ADFA as the centre of excellence for tri-Service education and training for junior officers. ADFA espouses excellence; however it lacks a well-articulated purpose and a clear vision. This inhibits it from realising its potential and, significantly, from integrating equality, diversity and inclusion in a …

Listed below are examples of services and programs brought to the Commission’s attention. Aboriginal Visitors Scheme (WA) This is an independent prison visitor scheme where an Aboriginal volunteer is appointed to monitor the treatment of Aboriginal people held in custody and police lock ups. They offer basic counselling and will inform the Officer in Charge of any urgent medical needs ( http…

The Commonwealth has some statutory obligations to set standards: eg, under the Quarantine Act 1908 (see below), and the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 (to provide a national framework for the regulation of therapeutic goods in Australia and ensure their quality, safety and efficacy).

Our aim is to make this a reality. To that end we strive to build understanding in the Australian community about what human rights are and their relevance for everyday life. We have made good progress on our journey, but we know we have more work to do.

The Commission is a national independent statutory body established under the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act 1986. It has a President and five Commissioners. The five positions are currently held by three persons. Please refer to the organisational chart for further information.

Although it is not possible to precisely specify all the circumstance that lead people to arrive in Australia through people smuggling routes, there can be no doubt that they undertake perilous journeys which put their lives and that of accompanying family members at risk. Given the very high rates of approval for those who have sought asylum in Australia through these routes, it is reasonable to…

Imagine the sea rising around you as your country literally disappears beneath your feet, where the food you grow and the water you drink is being destroyed by salt, and your last chance is to seek refuge in other lands...[1]

This report covers my final year as the Race Discrimination Commissioner, a position I have occupied for five years alongside my position as the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner.

As a counsellor of children and families at risk of child abuse and neglect, I have a number of concerns about the children being held in immigration detention in Australia and in our region on the request of Australian authorities. In my professional capacity I see children who have been abused by their Australian families. I find it appalling that Australia as a nation is now systematically…

beyondblue provides accurate, up to date, easy to read fact sheets on depression, anxiety and related disorders. Factsheets relevant to employment include:

Freedom Day is the name given to the annual commemoration of the Wave Hill Walk Off. The 40th anniversary of the Walk-off was held in late August 2006.

A central function of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission is to undertake education programs that increase public awareness and generate discussion of human rights and anti-discrimination issues within Australia.

As I reflect on the events that have taken place during the reporting period from 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2011, I see cause for optimism whilst also acknowledging there are still some areas that remain a concern. Over the last year we have reached some major milestones. For instance, we have seen the election of the two co-chairs and a board to the National Congress of Australia’s First…

The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission summary report on national consultations with Arab and Muslim Australians was launched in Sydney today.

I have spent a lot of time this past year convincing people from all walks of life that the challenges facing Indigenous peoples in this country are not insurmountable.