Refine results
-
14 December 2012Book page
A last resort ? Preface
This is an important report. It deals with our treatment of children in the most recent wave of boat people seeking refuge and a better life on our shores. It does so in the knowledge that there is a tension created by the community expectation that the Government will defend Australia's security while simultaneously upholding individual rights - the notion of the 'fairgo' for all. The report… -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
6 January 2016Project
Immigration detention and human rights
The human rights of people who are in immigration detention are of special concern to the Commission. Liberty is a fundamental human right, recognised in major human rights instruments to which Australia is a party. -
Commission – General
14 December 2012SpeechPresident speech: Mandatory immigration detention of children in Australia: how far have we come and where to from here? (2010)
I would like to begin by acknowledging the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation, the traditional owners of the land on which we meet, and pay my respect to their elders past and present. -
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice
14 December 2012PublicationNative Title Reports
Under the Native Title Act 1993, the Social Justice Commissioner is required to prepare a Native Title Report each year for federal Parliament. Through these reports the Commissioner gives a human rights perspective on native title issues and advocates for practical co-existence between Indigenous and non-Indigenous groups in using land. -
Children's Rights
16 April 2018WebpageChild Safe Organisations and cultural safety
The Child Safe Organisations project prepared a background paper on cultural safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people, to inform work on child safe organisations. Download the paper here: Cultural Safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people: A background paper to inform work on child safe organisations Cultural safety for… -
14 December 2012Book page
Chapter 4 - Introduction: Social Justice Report 2009
Homelands still belong to the people, we want to build homes on our land and live there. When we come to the homeland we come back to the peace and quiet. ... It is a much better environment on the homelands, better things for the children.[1] -
Disability Rights
14 December 2012SpeechSpeech - iPhone or Trombone: Age or Disability Don't Have to be Barriers (2012)
Alan used to work as a civil engineer, and is a trombone player with two orchestras and two bands. He has competed in the Australian Band Championships for the last three years. He sold his soils laboratory to 'retire', and has never looked back. He still works part-time in soil testing, but as well as trombone playing he is a volunteer in a Rotary shop, walks 30-40 kilometers weekly, won a… -
Legal
14 December 2012WebpageRecommendation for temporary exemption
MEMORANDUM TO: Sir Ronald Wilson Commissioner O'Connor Commissioner Antonios Commissioner Dodson Commissioner Walpole FROM: Commissioner Hastings DATE: 31 January 1995 -
Disability Rights
14 December 2012Speech
Disability discrimination legislation in Australia from an international human rights perspective: History, achievements and prospects
I want to talk today about the relationship between the lofty principles of international law on human rights and the practical realities for people with a disability in Australia. -
14 December 2012Book page
Commission Website: National Inquiry into Children in Immigration Detention
The disabled child [age removed], had cerebral palsy and from memory his family was [nationality removed]. I think his Curtin ID number was [removed] and his name [name removed]. His family arrived [date removed]. He had a couple of siblings, [age removed, name removed]. [Identifying details removed]. Last I heard was that the child was being cared for at Curtin (now closed) in the Health clinic… -
Complaint Information Service14 December 2012Webpage
Complaints information for young people
You don’t have to put up with being treated unfairly because you’re young. There are laws to protect you against discrimination, harassment and bullying. These laws apply right across Australia. If you have a complaint, the Australian Human Rights Commission can look into it. We will talk to the people involved and help you work out a solution. Our aim is to help you deal with your… -
14 December 2012Book page
Native Title Report 2002: Extinguishment of Native Title
The two recent High Court decisions in Miriuwung Gajerrong [1] and Wilson v Anderson [2] have clarified some important issues regarding the extinguishment of native title under the Native Title Act 1993 (Cwlth) (‘NTA’) and its relationship with extinguishment under the common law. They also provide some important insights into the meaning of discrimination as it responds… -
14 December 2012Book page
Comments by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner on MMSD (Australia) Project (2001)
In early 2001 AMEEF, as managers of the MMSD (Australia) project, commissioned various studies including a baseline assessment of the minerals industry and five other areas of interest: mining and biodiversity, stakeholder engagement, mining-Indigenous agreements, managing minerals wealth, and industry-based initiatives for sustainable development. These studies will contribute to a final report… -
Legal
20 March 2013Publication
Casenote: Monis v The Queen [2013] HCA 4
SUMMARY: Two sets of decisions issued last week by the High Court of Australia highlight the need for continuing discussion of options for improved legislative frameworks to protect freedom of expression and other human rights. -
Rights and Freedoms
14 December 2012Opinion pieceAll people have a fundamental human right to seek asylum from persecution (2010)
The following opinion pieces have been published by the President and Commissioners. Reproduction of the opinion pieces must include reference to where the opinion piece was originally published. -
14 December 2012Book page
Mandatory detention laws in Australia (2001)
This paper gives a brief overview of the mandatory detention laws currently operating in the Northern Territory and Western Australia. It examines their operation and gives some insights into how they have impacted on particular groups including young people and Indigenous Australians. It gives a critique of mandatory detention by reference to Australia's international human rights obligations,… -
Legal
14 December 2012Webpage
Letter to the Committee against Torture regarding issues for Australia (2010)
Thank you for giving the Australian Human Rights Commission (the Commission) the opportunity to provide information to the Committee Against Torture (the Committee) that is relevant to the implementation of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (the Convention) in Australia. -
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
8 January 2014Publication
A last resort? National Inquiry into Children in Immigration Detention
This is an important report. It deals with our treatment of children in the most recent wave of boat people seeking refuge and a better life on our shores. It does so in the knowledge that there is a tension created by the community expectation that the Government will defend Australia's security while simultaneously upholding individual rights - the notion of the 'fairgo' for all. The report… -
Disability Rights
25 July 2016Publication
Willing to Work: Good Practice Examples for Employers (2016)
Some employers, particularly small businesses, told us that they would have liked to do more to hire and retain employees with disability and older employees, but were time-poor and had limited resources and access to information. For this reason, we have produced this resource which sets out our recommendations to businesses, examples of existing good practice and a list of available… -
31 January 2013Webpage
1997 Human Rights Medal and Awards Winners
The 1997 Medal and Awards presentation ceremony was held on 10 December 1997 at a luncheon held at the Sheraton on the Park hotel in Sydney. Special guest was the Governor-General, Sir William Deane The ceremony also acknowledged the work of the past President of the Commission, Sir Ronald Wilson, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Mick Dodson, and the