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Rights and Freedoms
8 April 2014Opinion pieceFree speech, the public service and civilising behaviour
Before anyone screams "free speech", they should actually know what they are talking about. Earlier this week the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet released new social media protocols. The protocols limit the capacity of public servants to make statements that are "harsh or extreme in their criticism of the government, government policies, a member of Parliament from another political… -
Children's Rights
24 July 2018WebpageThe UN Committee on the Rights of the Child and reporting on children's rights
What is the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child? The United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child is a United Nations (UN) body which monitors the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and its Optional Protocols by States parties to the Convention. The UN Committee is made up of 18 independent experts from a range of countries. The UN… -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
10 October 2014Opinion pieceMagna Carta shelters asylum-seekers
NEXT year is the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta, signed reluctantly by King John at the demand of his rebellious barons in 1215. Buried in the middle of this foundational document of English constitutional law — setting out the single measure for wine and ale and the rights of widows on the death of their husband — are these words: “No freeman is to be taken or imprisoned or disseised… -
Rights and Freedoms
10 October 2014Opinion piece
Even in pursuit of valid goals, let's stop sacrificing principles and rights
In pursuit of legitimately tackling isolated criminal behaviour, Parliaments are reversing the basic principle of liberal democracy by criminalising the exercise of human rights and prescribing lawful activity. -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
10 April 2015Opinion piece
The Government, the High Court and the Migration Act
Read an opinion piece about the High Court finding the government in breach of the Migration Act for refusing to grant a protection visa to a refugee. -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
16 July 2018SpeechNAIDOC Awards - Acceptance Speech
[Thank you in Bunuba] I acknowledge the Gadigal people of the Eora nation of the land we stand on, their elders, past, present and emerging. I prepared a few words in case this happened – I want to make sure that I speak with the integrity that all our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women’s Voices deserve. This is an absolute honour, particularly this year, the year of ‘because of her… -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
23 February 2014Opinion piece
We can't 'outsource' our moral obligations to these people
Events on Manus Island have graphically and tragically brought to the attention of the Australian public the inappropriateness of the current arrangements for the regional processing of asylum seekers. I have been troubled by the loss of life and the injury that has occurred on Manus Island over this past week, even as we wait for further information about what exactly has occurred. I am… -
Rights and Freedoms
22 January 2014Opinion piece
Freedoms versus anti-discrimination laws? A false debate
Responsibility, anti-discrimination laws, human rights and freedoms - these words have been at the center of an ideological debate about how to protect fundamental freedoms, including freedom of speech, freedom of association and freedom from detention without trial. But if we are serious about securing these fundamental freedoms in Australian law, we must legislate to protect them, just as… -
Disability Rights
10 May 2013Project
Access to justice in the criminal justice system for people with disability
This project focuses on people with disabilities who need communication supports or who have complex and multiple support needs and who have come in contact with the criminal justice system. -
Sex Discrimination
6 March 2015Project
Collaboration for Cultural Reform in Defence
The Australian Human Rights Commission (the Commission) collaborates with Defence to support and improve Defence’s cultural reform priorities -
Employers16 March 2015Project
Good practice, good business
Free employer resources to promote diversity and prevent workplace discrimination -
Disability Rights
26 November 2013Opinion piece
We have to stop this
“Are you talking about rape? I’ve been raped many times. You just have to get used to it.” Imagine that your daughter, sister, mother, wife, girlfriend or female friend had the grave misfortune to have this happen to her - and that this statement, thick with defeat and resignation, was her response to such a gross perpetration of violence against her. Now imagine she is in a care facility… -
LGBTIQ+
27 August 2015Opinion pieceGays and Parents Both Have Rights
School should be a safe space for everyone to develop and learn. No ifs. No buts. Yesterday a media storm developed around the decision of Burwood Girls High School deciding to celebrate ‘Wear it Purple’ day and screening the film ‘Gayby Baby’. The two are quite distinct issues. Wear it Purple day is designed by school aged young people predominantly for school aged young people. Wearing… -
Rights and Freedoms
14 December 2012Project
Rural and Remote Education - Tasmania
Rural and Remote Education - Tasmania Submissions Tasmanian Government Tasmanian Catholic Education Commission Tasmanian Council of State School Parents and Friends Association Inc. Tasmanian hearings and meetings Devonport, 3 November 1999 Public meeting - notes Secondary students meeting - notes Queenstown, 4 November 1999 Public meeting - notes Secondary students meeting - notes Hobart, 5… -
Rights and Freedoms
14 December 2012Project
Rural and Remote Education - Victoria
Rural and Remote Education - Victoria Submissions Department of Education, Employment and Training Extracts from submissions Education costs Distance education Information technology Teacher incentives, development and retention Victorian hearings and meetings Bairnsdale, 11 November 1999 Secondary students meeting - summary Koorie workers meeting - summary Public meeting - summary Melbourne… -
Employers19 February 2015Quick Guide
Trade Union Activity
It can be discrimination when a person does not experience equal opportunity in employment because of his or her activity in a trade union. This includes being refused a job or dismissed from a job, being refused a promotion, transfer or other benefit associated with employment, given unfair terms or conditions of employment, being refused training opportunities, being refused flexible work … -
Employers19 February 2015Quick Guide
Transgender
People who are transgender are protected from discrimination by law. The Sex Discrimination Act makes it unlawful to treat a person less favourably than another person in a similar situation because of the gender-related identity, appearance, mannerisms or other gender-related characteristics of the person. Example: A shop assistant refused to serve a person who identifies and presents as a… -
Employers18 February 2015Quick Guide
Police Checks
An employer may be obliged to conduct a police check where there is a legal requirement that an employee or job applicant should not have a certain criminal record. However, an employer should only ask job applicants and employees to disclose criminal record information if certain criminal convictions or offences are relevant to the inherent requirements of the job. Asking an applicant or… -
Employers18 February 2015Quick Guide
Laws
The following federal anti-discrimination laws protect people from discrimination and harassment: Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986 (Cth) Age Discrimination Act 2004 (Cth) Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth) Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth) Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) Federal discrimination laws prohibit discrimination in different areas of… -
Employers18 February 2015Quick Guide
Job Sharing
Job sharing is a flexible work arrangement where one job is done by more than one person. It can be an option if employees want to work part-time but the job that is available needs to be worked on a full-time basis. Example: One employee works part-time and does the job on Monday and Tuesday and another employee does the same job, also working part-time, on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday…