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Children's Rights
16 September 2020Opinion pieceGreater focus needed on kids during pandemic
Since lockdown restrictions were introduced in March, the national 24/7 counselling and support service Kids Helpline has received a significant increase in the volume of children and young people seeking help, up 24% to the end of August compared to 2019. The concerns they raised in counselling sessions provide important insights into how governments, parents and educators can better… -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
11 May 2023Media ReleaseAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women to ‘design’ their future with new national approach to First Nations gender justice
Bold new approaches from First Nations Australian women for improving their future have been unveiled at a historic summit in Canberra, including a new National Framework for Action and a new dedicated First Nations Gender Justice Institute at the Australian National University. The new measures have been highlighted at the Wiyi Yani U Thangani (Women’s Voices) National Summit, Australia’s… -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
10 May 2023Media Release
First Nations women respond to Banksia Hill riots with call for immediate reform to youth justice
First Nations female leaders from across Australia are demanding immediate reform to Western Australia’s approach to youth justice in the wake of today’s riots at the Banksia Hill Juvenile Detention Centre. Hundreds of First Nations women are attending the Wiyi Yani U Thangani National Summit in Canberra this week, including Commissioner for Children and Young People WA Jacqueline McGowan… -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
4 June 2021Speech
ANZSOG Proud Partnerships in Place, First Peoples Conference
Yaningi warangira ngindaji yuwa muwayi ingirranggu, Bunuba yani U. I acknowledge all the traditional countries that we gather on today, and pay my respects to our elders everywhere, past, present and emerging. In particular in this session on Gender Equality, and what we can do to achieve it, I acknowledge all the women of the world, and our Indigenous women—the First Mothers of the earth… -
Commission – General
4 April 2023News story
Human rights leaders share lessons from across the globe
For the first time since 2019, the Australian Human Rights Commission was able to participate in person at the annual Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) meetings in Geneva. Over the week of 13-17 March, Commission President Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM and Chief Executive Leanne Smith joined colleagues from around the globe to share experiences, lessons… -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
28 May 2020Opinion piece
Learning from crisis
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… -
Sex Discrimination
5 March 2021Media ReleaseStatement on Independent Review into Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces
As Australia’s Sex Discrimination Commissioner, I welcome today’s announcement from Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham. I acknowledge the importance and urgency of this Independent Review (Review) into the workplaces of Parliamentarians and their staff, established by the Federal Government, in consultation with the Presiding Officers, the Opposition, minor parties and independents. The… -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
16 December 2020Speech
PRESS CONFERENCE - Wiyi Yani U Thangani (Women's Voices) report
NATIONAL PRESS CONFERENCE - Wiyi Yani U Thangani (Women's Voices) Securing Our Rights, Securing Our Future Report 2020 Thursday, 10 December 2020 NYOONGAR PATROL SERVICE, PERTH (Opening line in Bunuba) I am extremely proud and excited to announce the release of the Wiyi Yani U Thangani—meaning Women’s Voices in my language Bunuba— Securing Our Rights, Securing Our Future Report 2020. What I… -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
16 August 2024Media Release
States must follow through on our obligations to international treaties in prisons
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner and the National Children’s Commissioner today criticised the failure of leadership by the Commonwealth, states and territories to incorporate human rights standards into domestic law. -
Age Discrimination
27 April 2023Publication
Talking about my generation (2023)
This report presents the findings from a series of online discussions in February 2021 where participants aged 18-24 discussed the key priorities for Gen Z. -
Rights and Freedoms
3 March 2023SpeechRespect@Work – a focus on our profession
This paper considers the amendments to laws regarding workplace bullying and sexual harassment and the employer’s responsibility implementing recommendations of the Commission’s Respect@Work report (2020). -
Commission – General
10 December 2020Media Release
Rosemary Kayess gives 2020 Human Rights Oration
Leading disability rights advocate Rosemary Kayess will give the 2020 Human Rights Day Oration today. Last year’s Human Rights Medal winner, and a contributor to the drafting of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), Rosemary Kayess will discuss the social transformation of CRPD and the impact it has had on the community as well as her work with the Disability… -
Race Discrimination
17 March 2020Media ReleaseCommemorating one year since the Christchurch mosque attack
Australia’s Race Discrimination Commissioner Chin Tan and Human Rights Commissioner Edward Santow have commemorated the one-year anniversary of the Christchurch mosque attack. In a joint statement, they said: “The Christchurch massacre was deeply traumatic for New Zealand’s Muslim community. That trauma has echoed throughout the Muslim community in Australia and internationally.” “One year… -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
10 December 2020Speech
Landmark report - First Nations women and girls
Thank you all for joining me on the lands of the Nyoongar people. Thank you for the welcoming to country Kerry-Ann and I thank everyone of you for making time in your busy day to witness this press conference. I especially thank the Nyoongar outreach for hosting this event in your beautiful welcoming facility. I acknowledge the Nyoongar ancestors, their families and their courageous spirit… -
Race Discrimination
29 July 2024Project
A Study into the Prevalence and Impact of Racism in Australian Universities
The Australian Human Rights Commission is undertaking a groundbreaking study into the prevalence, nature, and impact of racism at universities -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
11 December 2019Speech
Inaugural National Indigenous Women’s Leadership Symposium
[Introduction in Bunuba] Jalangurru lanygu wiyi yani. I want to pay my respects to the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the traditional owners of the land we meet on today, and to their elders both past and present. I also want to thank and congratulate the organisers of this event – everyone at Women in Leadership Australia and everyone at Women’s Business. Well thank you all for having… -
Rights and Freedoms
9 March 2023Media Release
Commission launches model for an Australian Human Rights Act
Australia is the only liberal democracy that does not have an act or charter of rights at the national level, and there are currently very few legal protections for the fundamental rights of Australians. -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
5 August 2020Media ReleaseStatement on Christmas Island immigration detention
The Australian Human Rights Commission is deeply concerned that the Australian Border Force plans to re-open the immigration detention facility at Christmas Island. The Commission has carried out inspections of Australia's onshore and offshore immigration detention facilities for many years. The Commission's advice has been consistent: Christmas Island is not an appropriate place for an -
Age Discrimination
27 November 2019Media Release
Attorneys-General Need to Act on Elder Abuse
Age Discrimination Commissioner Dr Kay Patterson is calling on the Council of Attorneys-General to agree to take immediate action on elder abuse at their meeting tomorrow to develop a timetable outlining its action plan. “Elder abuse is a blight on our society. Older Australians do not have time on their side, they need immediate action from Governments at state and federal levels,” said Dr … -
Children's Rights
22 August 2019Speech
Sport 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…