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Children's Rights
5 September 2022Media ReleaseOngoing juvenile detention crisis a failure of basic support for kids and families
Commissioner Hollonds said vulnerable children and their families have been let down by federal, state and territory governments for decades with key recommendations from various inquiries and Royal Commissions going unimplemented. -
Rights and Freedoms
11 November 2022Media ReleaseHuman Rights Commissioner to raise juvenile and immigration detention concerns with UN torture committee in Geneva
Australia’s Human Rights Commissioner is set to appear before the United Nations Committee Against Torture in Geneva next week to provide analysis of how Australia measures up against our obligations under the UN’s Convention Against Torture (CAT) and its associated Optional Protocol (OPCAT). -
Rights and Freedoms
21 September 2023Media Release
Human Rights Commissioner critical of COVID inquiry scope
Australia’s Human Rights Commissioner has welcomed the Federal Government’s announcement of an inquiry into Australia’s handling of the COVID pandemic but has criticised the inquiry’s terms of reference for not having a specific focus on human rights impacts and for excluding the unilateral actions of state and territory governments. Today Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed the… -
Sex Discrimination
28 January 2020Publication
Respect@Work: Sexual Harassment National Inquiry Report (2020)
Workplace sexual harassment is prevalent and pervasive: it occurs in every industry, in every location and at every level, in Australian workplaces. -
Children's Rights
25 August 2023Media Release
National Children’s Commissioner slams ‘shocking’ new Qld youth justice laws
The National Children’s Commissioner has expressed alarm at the Queensland Government rushing through legislation to allow children to be detained indefinitely in adult detention facilities, in a further contravention of the Queensland Human Rights Act. -
Race Discrimination
13 October 2023Media ReleaseCommission President calls for human rights in Australia to be upheld in wake of Middle East conflict
The President of the Australian Human Rights Commission is calling for respect for human rights to be front of mind for all Australians as the situation in the Middle East continues to worsen. Commission President and Acting Race Discrimination Commissioner Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM said: “The devastating conflict in Israel and Gaza and its horrific civilian fallout is… -
Disability Rights
26 September 2023Media ReleaseCommissioners ‘appalled’ following Four Corners episode on abusive disability ‘therapy’
Two of Australia’s human rights leaders have expressed grave concerns in the wake of shocking videos broadcast on ABC’s Four Corners program, which showed children with intellectual disabilities being repeatedly restrained as part of a radical treatment funded by the NDIS. The episode highlighted the controversial and abusive practices at Irabina Autism Services in Melbourne, between 2019… -
Sex Discrimination
17 October 2022Media Release
National plan to end gender-based violence must be fully resourced to achieve results
Explore a plan to end gender-based violence and how for this to succeed, all governments need to make investments in prevention and recovery strategies. -
14 December 2012Book page
Section 12 - Other actions that could be taken by the Australian Government to protect LGBTI people in Australia - Addressing sexual orientation and sex and/or gender identity discrimination: Consultation Report (2011)
The consultation received a number of suggestions about other ways in which the Australian Government could protect the human rights of LGBTI people in Australia. Many participants argued that while anti-discrimination legislation is an important step towards equality, it is essential that it is accompanied by other actions. Suggestions were often informed by personal experiences of… -
Sex Discrimination
31 January 2024Webpage
Positive duty compliance and enforcement
Concerned about an organisation’s compliance with the positive duty? Complete our form to report work-related incidents of sexual related victimisation. -
5 February 2015Book page
8 Primary school aged children in detention
8.1 Needs and development of children at this stage of life 8.2 Emotional health and wellbeing 8.3 The role of parents in detention 8.4 Physical environment of detention and resources 8.5 School education 8.6 Excursions out of detention 8.7 Findings specific to primary school aged children [They are] crying all day long ... tortured by sadness. Take the children out and keep us in. (Parent… -
4 February 2015Book page
7 Preschoolers in detention
7.1 Forming relationships 7.2 The detention environment 7.3 Opportunities for play, learning and development 7.4 Impacts on preschoolers 7.5 Findings specific to preschoolers In preschool children we have seen regressed or disturbed behaviour such as needing to cling to parents at night and refusing to sleep in their own bed; separation anxiety; incontinence; uncharacteristic aggression; the… -
14 April 2015Book page
5 Nations - Self-determination and a new era of Indigenous governance
5.1 Introduction 5.2 The importance of Nations 5.3 Framework for Indigenous governance 5.4 Community governance: a Nation building approach 5.5 Australian accounts of successful nation building 5.6 Voices of Nations, not just national voices 5.7 Conclusions and recommendations 5.1 Introduction Since the beginning of my term as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner… -
Age Discrimination
26 April 2023Media ReleaseState AG inaction enables power-of-attorney parasites: Commissioner
Australia’s Age Discrimination Commissioner says thousands of older Australians are being robbed and cheated out of millions of dollars every year because of a dysfunctional enduring power-of-attorney (EPOA) framework. The Commissioner is calling on state and territory Attorneys-General to commit to fixing the problem at the Standing Council of Attorneys-General meeting in Darwin this week… -
Children's Rights
17 July 2014Speech
Rights of children in schools: a human rights perspective on behaviour
Read a speech by the Children's Commissioner that highlights the importance of including the views of students when defining the rights of children. -
Children's Rights
16 November 2021Media Release
Proposal to raise the age does not go far enough
All 16 of Australia’s children’s commissioners, guardians and advocates say a commitment by state attorneys-general to develop a proposal to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 12 does not go far enough. In a joint statement, Australian children’s commissioners, guardians and advocates said: “We are pleased that some jurisdictions have for the first time indicated they will look at… -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
15 March 2022Media ReleaseCommissioner backs calls for no more guns in communities
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, June Oscar AO has joined calls for no more guns to be carried by police officers in communities, and has extended her heart and thoughts to the family of Kumanjayi Walker, the Yuendumu community and Warlpiri people at this very difficult time. Commissioner Oscar said, “Walker’s family have been brave, courageous, and… -
29 January 2013Book page
2. Women at ADFA: Harassment, Abuse, Discrimination and Assault
2.1 Introduction ADFA is a unique institution where cadets live, study, work and socialise. The intensity of this environment can exacerbate the experiences of sexual harassment, abuse, discrimination and assault. The Review had the opportunity to speak with women and men across the ADFA community and beyond. It is mindful of the pride felt by many about the inclusive culture of ADFA. Many… -
Business and Human Rights
19 December 2023SubmissionVictim-survivors of Forced Marriage
Learn more about how forced marriage violates human rights and how Australia can better protect victim-survivors. -
14 December 2012Book page
A last resort? Findings and recommendations
Media Pack Homepage Statements by Dr Sev Ozdowski, Human Rights Commissioner (Audio Files for Download) Inquiry Commissioner and Assistants Biographies About the Inquiry Inquiry Methodology Terms of Reference Useful Links and Resources