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Rights and Freedoms
1 May 2013PublicationHuman rights issues raised by the third country processing regime
The Commission recognises the importance of effective border management and recognises that Australia has a right as a sovereign State to exclude non-citizens from its territory. However, Australia also has international obligations in relation to asylum seekers who come here, including those who arrive by boat, which must be observed in its border management practices. This paper provides a… -
Commission – General
14 December 2022Speech2022 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… -
Sex Discrimination
26 February 2018Media ReleaseAppalling behaviour at university residential colleges
As students and staff around Australia return to university, the Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins is urging Australian universities to continue the work needed to prevent sexual harassment and sexual assaults on campus. “Since the release of the landmark Change the course: National report on sexual assault and sexual harassment at Australian universities, my team and I have met… -
14 December 2012Book page
Same Sex: Speech
I would like to welcome you all to the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission for the first public hearing of the National Inquiry into Discrimination against People in Same-Sex Relationships: Financial and Work-Related Entitlements and Benefits. -
14 December 2012Book page
Social Justice Report 2003: SUMMARY SHEET SIX: PETROL SNIFFING
Over the past year, there has been significant concern expressed about petrol sniffing in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities at the national level. The phenomenon of petrol-sniffing is, however, not well-understood and there is no reliable national data on the number of people involved and the extent of resulting damage to individuals and communities. -
Disability Rights
14 December 2012SpeechLaunch of ABC Disability Awareness resources: An ABC for all Australians
Tonight's ceremony is, in part, a belated celebration of the recognition of the ABC as national award winner in the Prime Minister's Employer of the Year awards for 2000. -
14 December 2012Book page
Living Spirit - Muslim Women's Project 2006: Report
The project was officially supported by the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Council of Australia, the Equal Opportunity Commission Victoria, the Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria, the Islamic Council of Victoria, the Islamic Girls’ and Women's Group, the Centre for Multicultural Youth Issues, the Victorian Immigrant and Refugee Women’s Coalition and Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE. The… -
14 December 2012Book page
2008 Immigration detention report - Summary factsheet
On 13 January 2009 the Commission released the 2008 Immigration detention report: Summary of observations following visits to Australia’s immigration detention facilities. -
Disability Rights
8 May 2019Media Release
Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse and Neglect of People with Disability
Statement from Alastair McEwin, Disability Discrimination Commissioner I support the motion to hold a Royal Commission into the violence, abuse and neglect of people with disability. I call upon the Government to act immediately on this motion by proceeding to establish the Royal Commission without further delay. The prevalence and pervasiveness of violence, abuse and neglect against people… -
Rights and Freedoms
27 April 2020Media Release
Commission welcomes COVIDSafe App
The Australian Human Rights Commission has welcomed the COVIDSafe App as an important public health initiative, which can help protect the rights of Australians to health and life. The App also opens the possibility of easing restrictions on other human rights, such as freedom of movement and freedom of association. Human Rights Commissioner Edward Santow said, “The Commission welcomes the… -
31 January 2013Webpage
2008 Human Rights Medal and Awards Winners
Since 1987, the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (now known as the Australian Human Rights Commission) has recognised the often extraordinary contribution to Australian society of a wide variety of men and women committed to issues of human rights, social justice and equality through the annual Human Rights Medal and Awards. Each year we receive outstanding nominations for the… -
14 December 2012Book page
Annual Report 2008-2009: Chapter 9
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. -
14 December 2012Book page
Annual Report 2007-2008: Chapter 9 - Race Discrimination
This report covers my fourth year as the Acting Race Discrimination Commissioner at HREOC, a position I occupy in addition to my position as the aboriginal and torres Strait islander Social Justice Commissioner. During the period on which I report, Australia elected a new government, ending almost 12 years of a coalition government. -
Rights and Freedoms
14 December 2012Opinion piece
Australia's human rights obligations as part of the "coalition of the willing" (2004)
Media reports and repeated allegations of the abuse of Iraqi prisoners in US custody have raised fundamental questions about Australia's human rights obligations as part of the "coalition of the willing" . -
28 October 2013Book page
2 Onshore detention and processing
2.1 Mandatory immigration detention It is mandatory under the Migration Act for every non-citizen who is in Australia without a valid visa to be detained, regardless of his or her individual circumstances. [24] Once detained, unlawful non-citizens must remain in detention until they are either granted a visa or removed from Australia. [25] The majority of unlawful non-citizens are detained… -
Rights and Freedoms
8 April 2014Opinion piece
Free speech, the public service and civilising behaviour
Before anyone screams "free speech", they should actually know what they are talking about. Earlier this week the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet released new social media protocols. The protocols limit the capacity of public servants to make statements that are "harsh or extreme in their criticism of the government, government policies, a member of Parliament from another political… -
14 December 2012Book page
Annual Report 06-07: Significant Achievements
This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced by any process without prior written permission from the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission. -
14 December 2012Book page
Why was the Racial Hatred Act introduced?
The Racial Hatred Act aims to prevent racial vilification in the media, reinforcing professional standards and promoting impartiality and accuracy. -
Rights and Freedoms
14 December 2012Project
Corporate Social Responsibility
The Australian Human Rights Commission has developed four short fact sheets to help Australian companies meet their responsibility to respect the human rights of those people impacted by their activities. -
Commission – General
14 December 2012Speech
In defence of human rights
I would like to acknowledge that we are meeting on the traditional country of the Gadigal people of the Eora nation and pay my respects to their elders past and present.