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Commission – General
22 May 2020Opinion pieceCOVID-19's unexpected lessons
Six weeks ago I returned to my traditional homeland near Fitzroy Crossing in Western Australia. Thanks to modern technology, I am working remotely and continuing my duties as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner. Like many Aboriginal people, I chose to return to country because COVID-19 travel restrictions made homeland communities the safest place to see out the… -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
29 May 2019Opinion pieceIndigenous Australians can be bystanders no longer
Two years ago, we gathered in the red dust for a ceremony at Uluru and offered a gift to all Australians. There was a great sense of hope about what this gift could deliver. A new beginning, an opportunity to re-define who we are as a country. A country that celebrates its First Peoples and resets the relationship between all Australians for a better future. Despite the recent setbacks and… -
Age Discrimination
1 October 2021Opinion pieceGenerational divide? It’s more myth than reality
Although antagonism between the generations is often seen as inevitable, the ‘generational wars’ we hear about are not supported by Australians themselves. A new report by the Australian Human Rights Commission, What’s age got to do with it? A snapshot of ageism across the Australian lifespan, examines what young adult, middle-aged and older Australians really think about age and ageism… -
Business and Human Rights
30 November 2022SpeechExecutive discretion in a time of COVID-19
Responses to the COVID-19 pandemic have required very quick action by governments. But those responses have also involved significant limitations on people’s rights and freedoms, especially freedom of movement, and implemented through executive power often with limited parliamentary involvement. -
Rights and Freedoms
31 July 2019SpeechFree 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… -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
26 June 2019Speech
‘Hear Us, See Us’ Photo Exhibition Launch
Welcome and Acknowledgements Jalangurru lanygu balangarri. Ngayininyanyjili Bunuba nhingi, Bunuba ngarri thangani wila ngira Yaningi. Matha wilinyagu thangani ngindaji yani u guru wiyi yani u biyirranggu ningi thangani wilawungay Yaningi. Thank you, Ambassador Mansfield. Welcome to you all and thank you for coming here today. It is custom in Australia to acknowledge country. Therefore, I… -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
13 October 2020Opinion pieceWho are we leaving behind?
In presenting last week’s Federal Budget, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said, “we will get through this together.” Togetherness is an important value in Australia. It speaks to the basic liberal democratic principle that no-one in our community should be left behind. While much of last week’s Budget analysis focused on the details of tax breaks and tax cuts, at a basic level the Budget is also a… -
Disability Rights
15 April 2024Webpage
Ambassador Profile - Lisa Stafford
Lisa shares some of her achievements, projects she’s working on, the value of lived experience and tips for employers and people with disability. -
Race Discrimination
30 March 2019SpeechRace Discrimination Commissioner, Mr Chin Tan, on Nelson Mandela Day
Thank you for the very kind welcome. May I extend particular thanks to the Nelson Mandela Day Commemorative Committee (NMDCC) for the invitation and for having me here this evening. Let me start by acknowledging the traditional custodians of this land where we gather tonight, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation, and pay my respects to their elders past, present and emerging. I would… -
Rights and Freedoms
5 November 2020Speech
Do we have the necessary legal grammar to talk human rights?
We’re all talking human rights—but do we have the necessary legal grammar for them? Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM Acknowledgement Chief Justice, Justices, Masters and Registrars, good morning. Thank you to Justice Paul Tottle for the invitation to speak with you today. I’m sorry I can’t be with you in 3D, but WA once again has distanced itself from the rest of Australia in closing … -
Business and Human Rights
23 February 2021Project
Supporting business to combat modern slavery
The Commission and KPMG Australia are collaborating on the development of a range of practical, sector-specific guides to support businesses to understand and manage their modern slavery risks approach and to respond effectively to the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth). -
Race Discrimination
9 April 2024Webpage
Race Discrimination
Learn about racism, its impact, and how to combat it. Take action to build communities where people of all cultures and backgrounds feel safe, respected and included. -
Children's Rights
22 August 2019SpeechSport as an Enabler of Human (Children’s) Rights - Craig Foster
Child Safe Organisations – Launch of the National Principles 21 August 2019 Sport as an Enabler of Human (Children’s) Rights Craig Foster Putting the child at the centre of sport, now there’s a novel idea. One that presents a direct challenge to the win-at-all-costs mentality. As we will find out today, that cost is can be a very high, human one, and often a child’s future. Hello everyone, I… -
Commission – General
25 May 2020Opinion piece
Turning the Uluru Statement into action
On the ancient lands of the Anangu, dust settled and ink dried on a document that marked an extraordinary moment in Australia’s history. From all points of the southern sky, we gathered in the centre of the country we’ve called home for more than 60 thousand years, to endorse a statement that would pave the way for First Nations peoples to have a voice enshrined in the Constitution. A voice… -
Age Discrimination
10 July 2023Publication
Changing perspectives: testing an ageism intervention (2023)
New Commission research shows that a brief, one-off ageism workshop can be a powerful tool in creating positive changes in attitudes and behaviours to older people. -
Rights and Freedoms
29 August 2019Publication
Discussion paper: A model for positive human rights reform
This paper outlines what our current system of human rights protections looks like, how it is and isn’t effective in ensuring that government respects, protects and fulfils our human rights, why reforming the current system is critical, and options for reform. -
Technology and Human Rights
16 December 2019Publication
Discussion Paper: Human Rights and Technology
Learn more about protecting and promoting human rights from the risks of AI, to better develop and deploy ethical AI. -
Sex Discrimination
28 November 2022Media ReleasePassage of ‘Respect@Work’ Bill is a major step in preventing harassment
The Bill creates a positive duty requiring employers to implement measures to prevent sexual harassment, sex discrimination and victimisation, and confers new regulatory powers on the Commission. -
Rights and Freedoms
17 June 2022Speech
Reflections on women and human rights
Thank you to the Lyceum Club for inviting me to speak, and to Christine Yeats and Judith White for your warm introduction. I recall that for my late mother, Dr Amy McGrath OAM, the revival of the Sydney Lyceum Club was very special. In sorting through papers of my parents, following the passing of my father, the Hon Dr Frank McGrath AM OBE, I found mother’s Lyceum Club card, membership… -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
9 December 2020Media Release
Landmark report - First Nations women and girls
A landmark report on Australia’s First Nations women and girls has been released, with an ambitious, female-led plan for structural reform. Wiyi Yani U Thangani—(Women’s Voices)—Securing Our Rights, Securing Our Future Report 2020 is a comprehensive, whole-of-life document and the result of over a hundred engagements with thousands of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and girls of…