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Disability Rights
30 June 2021ProjectReform of the assistance animals provision of the Disability Discrimination Act (2003)
Reform of the assistance animals provision of the Disability Discrimination Act REPORT FOLLOWING CONSULTATIONS ON SECTION 9(1)(f) OF THE DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION ACT 1992 DEALING WITH ASSISTANCE ANIMALS OTHER THAN GUIDE DOGS AND HEARING DOGS. Dr Sev Ozdowski OAM Acting Disability Discrimination Commissioner 18 November 2003 Section 9 of the Disability Discrimination Act ("the DDA") defines … -
Commission – General
6 March 2024Media ReleaseThe escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza and addressing the impacts in our communities
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, delivered a powerful statement last week raising the urgency of the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza. “The war in Gaza must end. Clear violations of international human rights and humanitarian laws, including war crimes and possibly other crimes under international law, have been committed by all parties. It is time – well past… -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
2 April 2024Media ReleaseKatie Kiss commences as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner
Australia’s new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Katie Kiss, said in the wake of the devastating outcome of last year’s Voice referendum, Australia must consider the next steps, and prioritise finding ways to heal and soothe divisions. This includes making meaningful progress in addressing the systemic and structural discrimination experienced by First… -
Disability Rights
10 January 2024Video
Missing Perspectives
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states “everyone is entitled” to all rights and freedoms, “without distinction of any kind”. But 75 years since its creation, disability rights advocate Hannah Diviney says Australia needs to do more to fulfill that promise. In episode 3 of our series commemorating the UDHR’s anniversary, hear the story of ‘Missing Perspectives’, a global news… -
Sex Discrimination
3 May 2021Publication
Change the Routine: Independent Review into Gymnastics in Australia
Placing the voices of children and young people and their families at the centre, this report outlines the Commission’s key findings and presents 12 recommendations for whole of sport change. -
Children's Rights
4 March 2024SubmissionDuty of Care and Intergenerational Climate Equity
Learn more about the human right to climate change and the Climate Change Amendment (Duty of Care and Intergenerational Climate Equity) Bill 2023. -
Technology and Human Rights
7 August 2023News story
Schools Should Prepare for an AI-Future
Learn more about how ethical AI can be used in schools and education to promote learning and strengthen human rights. -
Age Discrimination
28 March 2024News story
Robert Fitzgerald commences as Age Discrimination Commissioner
Find out about the Age Discrimination Commissioner, Robert Fitzgerald AM’s immediate and long-term priorities to eliminate ageism and age discrimination. -
Rights and Freedoms
3 May 2024Opinion pieceWe need debate on sensible limits on free speech
When president Franklin D. Roosevelt gave the 1941 State of the Union address he spoke of four essential human freedoms people “everywhere in the world” ought to enjoy. The very first of these was freedom of speech and expression. Free speech was listed first because it is the bedrock of democracy. Salman Rushdie famously described it as “the whole thing, the whole ball game. Free speech is… -
Commission – General
2 July 2024Speech
Occasional Address — University of New South Wales graduation
Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM Chancellor, David Gonski AC, Dean, Professor George Williams AO, distinguished guests, graduating students and families. Graduations are such a special moment— not just in a university calendar, but also in your lives. It is significant that this occurs on the winter solstice: the day when the sun stands still. In its Latin, ‘solstitium’, became … -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
4 August 2023Webpage
Referendums and constitutional change
The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) will hold a referendum in late 2023. The referendum will ask Australians whether the Constitution should be changed to include a recognition of the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Indigenous Voice to Parliament -
Sex Discrimination
22 February 2024News story
Positive Duty: Supporting safe, inclusive and respectful workplaces
In December 2023, the Australian Human Rights Commission convened a panel of experts to discuss the positive duty under the Sex Discrimination Act, compliance and enforcement policies, and efforts to address workplace sexual harassment and other unlawful behavior. -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
24 May 2023News story
Uluru Statement ‘cannot be ignored’
Australia’s human rights bodies tell political leaders: Uluru Statement ‘cannot be ignored’ Australia’s federal, state and territory human rights bodies have urged political leaders to work across party lines to deliver Constitutional reform for Australia’s First Peoples. In a joint letter, the Australian Council of Human Rights Authorities (ACHRA) says the Uluru Statement from the Heart … -
Age Discrimination
5 February 2024News story
Commission welcomes new Age Discrimination Commissioner
Find out about the newly appointed Age Discrimination Commissioner Robert Fitzgerald AM. A respected lawyer and leading figure in the anti-discrimination space. -
Rights and Freedoms
20 January 2023Opinion piece
Australia needs to deliver on our treaty promises
As with any agreement, there are certain requirements that OPCAT signatories need to fulfill, and Australia has been given longer than any other country to meet our OPCAT commitments. Today – 20 January 2023 – is our extended compliance deadline, and Australia has failed to deliver on our promises. -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
5 July 2021Opinion piece
Return to country endangered by failure to invest
Covid-19 has triggered the most significant return to country by First Nations people since the homeland movement commenced in the 1960s. Thousands, like myself, returned to remote communities out of necessity. Facing the unknown, our family leaders who could made the courageous decision to gather loved ones and travel out to country, with minimal resources. Importantly, Australian… -
Age Discrimination
13 March 2024Speech
A Human Rights Act and older people
OPAN National Older Persons Reference Group Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM FAAL FRSA FACLM(Hon) Abstract The presentation will focus on the Commission’s proposed model for a Human Rights Act in Australia and how it may support the rights of older people. Introduction [Thank you to organisers….] I would like to begin my contribution by acknowledging the traditional custodians of this… -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
8 September 2023Speech
CEW Leadership Summit
Introduction in language Hello everyone. I acknowledge the traditional custodians of Naarm, all the Countries of the Kulin Nations, and I pay my respects to Elder’s past, present and emerging. I recognise our First Women, our mothers, sisters, aunties, and daughters who have cared for our communities, shared knowledge and culture, and nurture future generations through women’s ways of… -
Technology and Human Rights
31 May 2023News story
Social Media: A Tool for Foreign Interference
Learn about how foreign actors are using social media to interfere with Australia's national interest and threaten human rights online.
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