Refine results
-
Rights and Freedoms
3 September 2019Media ReleaseStatement by Human Rights Commissioner Edward Santow on the draft Religious Discrimination Bill
“For more than 20 years, the Australian Human Rights Commission has called for reform to prohibit all forms of discrimination on the basis of religious and other beliefs. “Any reform in this area must protect the human rights of all people in Australia, regardless of their religion, race, gender, sexual orientation or any other status. “We will be studying the content of the draft Bill… -
Rights and Freedoms
5 December 2019Video
Meet the 2019 Human Rights Medal finalists
Hear from our Human Rights Medal finalists whom we’re supporting and acknowledging at this year’s ceremony on December 13, 2019. Tickets are available -
Race Discrimination
30 May 2022WebpageAbout racial discrimination
The Racial Discrimination Act 1975 protects individuals across Australia from discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, descent, or national or ethnic origin. In 1995 the Act was extended to make racial vilification against the law. -
Children's Rights
30 January 2022Media ReleaseChildren urged to share COVID-19 experiences
As most Australian children return to school today, they are being invited to share their stories about how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected their wellbeing, and how they have coped. -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
26 February 2021Media ReleaseMedia Statement on alleged attack on First Nations woman
A statement from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner June Oscar AO: “My heart goes out to the First Nations woman and her daughter who were allegedly attacked on Saturday by a man displaying white supremacist insignia in Perth. A racially-motivated attack is not only a physical assault, it is an attempt to terrorise people for who they are and an attempt to… -
Children's Rights
24 December 2019Video
Vanessa Turnbull-Roberts, winner of the 2019 Young People's Human Rights Medal
Receiving her award, Young People’s Human Rights Medal Winner Vanessa Turnbull-Roberts said, “The system does not work for our kids who are incarcerated - my mind and my spirit can't help but think of those young people that aren't here right now. “I ask that every single person assess your privilege and show up on the front line. We need to amplify those voices and we need to raise those… -
Children's Rights
12 April 2023Event
Webinar: Reinventing schools to support learning & wellbeing for all
If we want children to flourish, we must ask ourselves if the school system is doing the right thing by them. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the fault lines that emerge when health and learning aren’t considered holistically. Declining mental health, disengagement from learning, disruption among social connections and vastly reduced physical activity were some of the impacts on children… -
LGBTIQ+
30 April 2019VideoRightsTalk: Casey Legler
Famed and haunted by a career in the pool, Casey Legler - former Olympic swimmer, LGBTI advocate, fashion model, restaurateur & author of newly released bio "Godspeed", shares an incredible life story. Read our news story for more information. -
Disability Rights
3 May 2019VideoRightsTalk with Nujeen Mustafa and Shantha Rau Barriga
On Monday 8 April 2019, refugee and disability rights activists Nujeen Mustafa and Shantha Rau Barriga joined Human Rights Commissioner Edward Santow at another of our popular RightsTalk events, hosted in partnership with Human Rights Watch. > Click to read more about this event. -
Disability Rights
13 March 2024Webpage
Finding and applying for a job
Learn how to find and apply for jobs online or in-person, through networks, connections, Disability Employment Service providers, or volunteering. -
Commission – General
30 October 2020WebpageNational Children's Commissioner, Anne Hollonds
Anne Hollonds National Children's Commissioner: 2020 - The National Children’s Commissioner monitors policy and legislation to ensure that the human rights of children are protected and promoted, and provides advice to government. Anne says the most important part of her job is listening to Australia’s children and young people about their needs and experiences so she can inform the decision… -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
3 February 2023Media Release
First Nations Commissioner calls for community-led solutions to Alice Springs unrest
Commissioner June Oscar AO has given her support to the reported recommendations of the Federal Government’s Northern Territory Regional Controller Dorelle Anderson to introduce temporary alcohol restrictions across communities in Central Australia following a recent increase in crime and violence in the region. -
Commission – General
7 April 2022News story
Statement on international accreditation of the Australian Human Rights Commission
The Australian Human Rights Commission’s status as a National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) has been reviewed by the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) – the international standards body. This review, conducted every five years, considers whether the Commission continues to meet the UN Principles on National Institutions (commonly known as the Paris Principles),… -
Rights and Freedoms
5 September 2021Webpage
About Rights and Freedoms
Scrutiny of human rights by the Parliament | Scrutiny by the courts | Advocacy for improved legislative protection of human rights | Promotion of improved human rights policy and practice | International human rights scrutiny mechanisms | More information Under the Australian Human Rights Commission Act and Australia's Federal discrimination laws, the Commission has important functions in -
Race Discrimination
3 September 2021Publication
Guide to addressing spectator racism in sports (2021)
Sport holds a unique place in Australian society. It celebrates our values of equality, fairness and participation and helps build social connection and cohesion. However, spectator racism at sporting events remains an ongoing issue and can be difficult to address. -
13 September 2022Webpage
2022 Wiyi Yani U Thangani First Nations Women’s Safety Policy Forum Delegate Statement
The Wiyi Yani U Thangani (Women’s Voices) project elevates First Nations women's voices, advocating for justice, safety, and equality. Delegates call for urgent action to end violence and uphold human rights. -
Age Discrimination
24 May 2019Publication
Willing to Work: National Inquiry into Employment Discrimination Against Older Australians and Australians with Disability (2016)
The right to work is a fundamental human right, but one that far too many older people and people with disability in Australia do not enjoy. -
Children's Rights
15 November 2022News story
Governments must urgently address youth justice crisis
The Australian Human Rights Commission calls on all Australian governments to urgently address the national crisis in youth justice to prevent further harm to children in detention, and to reduce youth offending through effective systems of support. -
Sex Discrimination
23 July 2021Media ReleaseCommission releases Progress Update on Independent Review into Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces
The Australian Human Rights Commission has today released its Progress Update on the Independent Review into Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces. The Commission was asked to undertake the Review by the Federal Government, with the support of the Opposition and crossbench, in March 2021. The Review is examining the culture of Commonwealth parliamentary workplaces with the aim of ensuring… -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
16 July 2020Media ReleaseCommission concerned for detainees during COVID
The Australian Human Rights Commission has repeated its call for people in Australian immigration detention facilities who do not pose a security risk to the community to be released to community detention. In March 2020, the Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases (ASID) and the Australian College of Infection Prevention and Control (ACIPC) warned that overcrowded conditions in…